Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. A-men.
If we look at the Church from it's beginning and compare it to most of what is called the Church today, we have to admit that there's really no comparision!
The early Church lived and served Christ with a reckless abandonment! They didn't have to be entertained to be a part of the Body of Christ! They had been saved and filled with the Holy Ghost and preached the gospel everywhere they went!
They didn't have to be begged to come out....they were out! They were Believers in Christ. Jesus commanded them to go into all the world! He didn't ask how many would like to meet at the church and go out to witness.
No! They became the witnessses that Acts 1:8 tells us: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
They weren't tied down or occupied with sports like we can become. They were so determined to do what Jesus said, that some were made sport attractions by the Romans, and it wasn't a pretty sight. They had the Mission in the front of them daily.
The Bible says that after the Lord had spoken to them, Jesus was received up into heaven, that they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming his word with signs following.
It didn't matter what the world or religion said. They didn't look at it the way it's done today. They didn't need a permit to preach the gospel! No! They had been given a command from the Lord to preach! God gave them a pulpit to preach from everywhere they went!
Today, we sing to each other for an hour and then someone talks about everything but the gospel for fifteen minutes and then go home and say: "God's really moving in our church!"
"The problem is that God isn't moving in the churches, but God has moved from these churches."
That early Church was a Church of prayer which resulted in a Church full of power to preach the gospel to its mission field!
The prayer meeting is the most neglected meeting by the churches today.
Look at all the activities that are designed to draw people into the church today. Many may show up but after it's all over these people for the most part are interested in the activity rather than Jesus and the mission of the church.
The word of God is neglected today by most of the people.
Most don't bother bringing a Bible to church with them. They have no time to study to show themselves approved unto God, a workman (one who works) that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
These people that are in churches today can tell you countless names and statistics of the world affairs, but can't tell you where three scripture can be found in the word of God!
"Has the Mission of the Lord been replaced by activities?"
It's "No time to live careless!"
