Church History

We serve an all-knowing God. Nothing is left unknown or forgotten. Even through our suffering, our Father is still holding our hand. With our willingness, our Father guides us into the right path. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were the key. Trusting in the words of Jesus in John 8:28, So Jesus said, When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. Our Lord and Savior gave us what we needed to sustain, even in his death. He spoke of hope, faith, and belief. If that wasn't enough, he left us with more help. John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessorââ'¬Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever-the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit and the gospel were the key to the church holding on to its faith. Even through all the persecution, the gospel was still being spread. Rather, others were talking about what happened to the ones being persecuted or the question of why they were being persecuted. The gospel was still being spread. Jesus' death was not in vain, and our suffering and death to ourselves will not be either. God's plan is so that we may live and not die into the person that we were meant to be.

This influence is necessary because without the word, the blueprint, and the Holy Spirit's guidance, we will not stand against the darkness that tries to overtake our souls. We must have hope, faith, and believe that our Father still and will always provide for us in ways that we could never imagine.

Yes we must continue to have hope and faith but even deeper, we must be unwavering. We should develop faith like Abraham in Romans 3:20 (NASB) where it says with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. Putting our faith and trust in God is key and the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us to all truth. In Hebrews 11:1 it says that now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. No matter what we encounter or what a situation looks like we can have the faith that God will work things out for our good. To increase our faith we must exercise it daily and I believe the church as a whole is not necessarily doing that. I think the church is distracted in some ways by the glitz and glamour of popularity and likes. We have to remember that only what we do for Christ will last.

Amen Kierra! Faith is one of the key components to the continued growth of the church as well. When we look into the New Testament, we see those like Peter, John, Andrew and James who were relentless in spreading the gospel of Christ because they were a witness to being with Christ on earth. They remembered everything He said, but when the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost, they came into the understanding of what He said and they were fully persuaded of Him being the truth. This fueled their faith even more. Christ told them in Matthew 28: 20 that He would be with them always even unto the end, and they had faith in those words. They knew that even though He was no longer on earth in the flesh, he was with them on the inside by way of Holy Spirit and it made them even more confident. They were a witness to Christs' faithfulness so they embraced persecutions, trials and tribulations with faith.

That was a powerful reflection Kierra! I agree that the Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the foundation that keeps us strong, even in times of suffering. Scripture reminds us in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose, showing us that even trials have purpose. And we can stand firm because, as Psalm 119:105 says, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. With God's Spirit and His Word, we are never without guidance or hope.

Yes, Kierra! I agree and this is what is so awesome. Despite what was happening, the gospel was still being spread. Through the persecuted or the witnesses the miracles and the blessings were still discussed. This is why it is so important for us to share our testimony. The Bible says in Romans 10:14-15, 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!