EASTERN THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE & SEMINARY New Delhi-110096
AN ASSIGNMENT ON PRESENT CHURCH AND HER GAINING AND FAILURE (A SPECIAL FOCUS ON PENTECOSTAL CHURCH)
SUBMITTED TO SIR. SAMUEL THOMAS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY
SUBJECT MODERN CHURCH HISTORY SUBMITTED BY BRO. JOSHUA, S. JOSHUA B.TH IIND YEAR 1
PRESENT CHURCH AND HER GAINING AND FAILURE (A SPECIAL FOCUS ON PENTECOSTAL CHURCH) INTRODUCTION:
The word Church in Gk. Ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) means “"assembly, congregation, council" and to denote both a Christian association of people and a place of worship. The term means something quite different for each religious institution that sees itself as belonging to the Christian traditions. Twenty centuries past everywhere group of people whom gathering under one roof to worship the living God that is call church. When Apostle Paul writing to Timothy in his first letter “in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God…” (I Tim. 3:15).
The Church, which is
living that, has the present work in this world. In that, there are several nominal churches today.
Centuries passed, and the growth of the
Christianity and the Churches are innumerous around the world. It is general believe that the India alone have two percent of Christians in past years. As well as Christians grows the churches grows along with new doctrines. The present churches are assuming their own doctrines. The Church of living God at present date it become modern culture center. It is very pathetic to say once people gathered for worship and have fellowship with one anther but today is gathering only for membership. Once its growth through the gospel work and prayer but there is no new believer growth by new generation. We are unable to say what is the problem of 2
today’s churches and its growth is it not the church head office are not allowing or the person one who ministering in the church is lazy. Church is not an organization but it is a living building every stone that lay on one anther. However, many today representing churches are remaining as big building and stones not hold their life. For it quench the fire or spirit which in it. Once the church was illuminated by spirit and brings many to Christ. It directed everyone and enabled every person to work according to His will.
As our topic, a special focus on the Pentecostal churches. Mostly public call Pentecost people as protestant group, there are many protestant groups hold new doctrines.
However, the identity of the Pentecostal
church is which fully based and founded on the apostolic doctrines (Acts. 2:38-42). Which means the Church always led by Holy Spirit, for the meaning Pentecost in New Testament; we consider the dissension of Holy Spirit who send by the Father “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever –“ (Jh.14:16). The work of the Pentecostal still exists. Off course, we could boldly say that the growth today the churches have only through the Pentecostal people, who still based on the doctrine of the apostles. At present date, we could see the growth of the churches all over the world, especially in North India. Today existing churches and the revivals in Christianity are the work of which the Pentecostal people did in the past years in India. Then still the Harvest is plenty, why? Let see what is the present churches gaining and the failure area of it.
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GAINING The gaining of the church in the sense the status of the church at present world. The term “Gaining” is very appropriate use for it success. Today many churches are working very actually the work was very progressive. The people who having the spirit of courage to do the work are success in their church ministry. The man one how filled with spirit and having the burden are succeed in their ministry and it is continuing. Using different ideas, making planning to share the gospel and planting the churches. Their work will never stop whatever problem and toils they may face, for they understand that the filed which they trying to swore the seed is hard and putting full effort to make as good land. Quotes like this “No Pain, No Gain”, the Pentecostal people understand it very well so they are working for the gain not care the pain. Moving every side of the people’s life to bring them to the church as well as in every area of the government officials to strengthen themselves to go forward. The growth of the church is depending on the person one working for it. The more hard work the more growth in the church. The twenty-first centuries churches are today well known by government were as once it was not known in the same village, area and to the next streets. We can say the zeal of work which Pentecostal people had that made an identity in this world. The other
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denominations are working widely through social works, making schools, hospitals, orphanage, charity work etc., under the name of their organization, but that have no mean with church growth. One thing I notice in the growth of Christianity is that other religious leaders are started to awake to protect their religion for the work’s of Spirit filled people made afraid about us. That is what Christian people are facing persecution all over the world especially in India.
Persecution also
consider as a gaining of the church for it foundation become more stronger than before. Today where the people worked have brought forth many good fruits for the church as well as their believer’s community.
FAILURE We need to understand the failure of today’s church. Today’s churches covering their failure by reasons. We need not to hesitate to do work for a non-believer, for it gives more fruit. Plans are not be well made for church growth but for the charity work and social services. The Church of God should be always lightening for the world, like flame (Phil.2:15b). Lack of good strategy church movement is not taking place in the present date. For the movement there will be negative but there is positive in Christ for growth. Like the seasons winter and summer Pentecostal churches also having meeting twice in a year, yet the growth of church is hardly 20-30%. I want to identify another reason of un-growth or failure of present churches. Today representing shepherds of the church are want to make their own kingdom, because of the doctrine yet have no good strategy. I
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consider that doctrine have no problem with movement of the churches to work at beginning. The progressive churches are growing rapidly but the remaining churches are still in same condition as in earlier. Today’s wellfounded church, which exists, is fruits of the missionaries and great contribution of their life and their very active work. However, today it is simply standing, as a church building it is very sad to know that it have no life and active in work. In addition, some churches are having the same work, which they have before ten years; there is no change at all. The reason is still difficult to find out. We unable to conclude these failure churches.
Nevertheless, either the reason may the person one who
appointed there is not working or the head office put a limit to work on them. The Pentecostalism started in India around 19th century, the work is still exists today revival are taking place where we find these kind of zeal people.
But, working people are few in number but everywhere in
success.
For they covering their failures under the reasons, book of
revelation says (Rev.3:14-19) "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. V.15 - I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! V.16 - So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. V.17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. 'But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. V.18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. V.19
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Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. It is good for the churches to wake up for the asleep, find out the reasons, and makes every failure as steps towards victory. CONCLUSION: The present churches are having their own doctrine and dominion over their members. If it continue, there will be no more revival in Christianity. Thank God, for few people who is having the zeal of work and burden of the dieing souls and churches. As in the 21st century, the modern Christian world does not know the present condition of their church.
Today’s
young people like us if they really understand the condition and the truth of the Church of God’s positions in this world they also will stand with the few who are already toiling for it. The Church should be church not simply a gathering. For the growth and success, there is need of joining hands, to see movement in present days as in book of Acts. Unity in one motto, unity in zeal, and unity in work this brings the great change in every church.
Having one identity in this world CHRISTIAN as a
community then why does not in practical work.
If any problem we
Christians face from other community we found ourselves in one flat form, why do not in the churches for the good fruits. Let the people know what kind of unity we have, than I hope we could complete the commission of our master throughout our life.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Bible Verse from NIV
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