Bible Study: A Genuine Christian Church

King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Genuine Christian Church
For: Thursday December 09, 2010
Chapters: The Book of I Timothy
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-december-9
Details of Today's Chapters: A warning against false doctrine, thanksgiving and mercy, the requirements of church leaders, instructions for women in the church, widows and the elderly, and fighting the good fight of faith.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
A Christian church is defined as a body of likeminded people publicly worshiping God. Do you know why there are so many different denominations of churches? Rebellion. One disgruntled person, living some sort of sinful life, questions what is being taught then tells it to another and so forth until a group of people with like minded thoughts form a church of their own so they can live in sin without feeling guilty about it. Think I am kidding? The Bible says, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ...These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.” -Jude 1:4,16.

A genuine Christian church is grounded on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, whom is the only begotten Son of God, born of a virgin. It bases it's doctrine and teachings on the Bible and follows the New Testament as the characteristics of life, knowing that Christ is the head of the church. “even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” - Ephesians 5:23.

The Book of I Timothy is the fifteenth book of the New Testament, the fifth-fourth book of the Bible and contains six chapters. The author of this epistle (letter) is Paul and it was written to Timothy, his son in faith. The purpose of the letter was to address some of the problems and needs which existed in the church at Ephesus, which he was pastoring. What we are to learn from the book is that not every church is a genuine church of Christ and we should live our lives as an example of the ministry to which we have been called. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” -I Timothy 4:12.

Timothy was a young pastor, having been left the difficult task of pastoring the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote to instruct him in the choice of proper officers in the church, as well as in the exercise of a regular ministry. He also wanted to caution him against the influence of false teachers, who by subtle distinctions and endless disputes, corrupted the purity and simplicity of the Gospel. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” - I Timothy 1:1-4.

It is important that a church teach the correct doctrine, now churches are like clothes, one might not fit everyone, but it is important that you be in one that is founded on the doctrine of Christ. If your church is not preaching from the doctrine of the virgin birth, death, burial, resurrection, and eternal life through Christ alone than you are not being taught the truth. Why is it important? It can literally save your life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:16-18.

Paul explains to Timothy the duties that men and women have in the church, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time...In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” - I Timothy 2:4-6,9-12.

First of all, they all must be saved and study God's Word diligently in order to know the truth , a person can not teach something they do not learn and know themselves. One thing a lot of people will disagree on is the fact that a woman in not to be the head of a church. Women are to be modest and silent in the church, giving up authority to the men, who are to be elders, bishops (preachers), or deacons. This does not mean that a woman is not allowed to preach or teach women in a ministry of the church, children, or minister (assist) to those who God put on their heart, it means they are not to be the head of a church or argue with a man of God. “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” - I Corinthians 14:34,35. Why do women have to be silent? This goes all the way back to the Book of Genesis when Eve was deceived by the serpent and caused Adam to sin. “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” - I Timothy 2:13-15.

Paul explained what I just mentioned earlier about rebellion, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” - I Timothy 5:1-5. The most important key to knowing the truth and whether or not you are being taught it is from the Word of God itself. God gave us His Word so we can know Him, His mysteries, and how to live the way He intended for us to live. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” - I Timothy 6:12.

Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and week,
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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