Real Church

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The modern church does not compare to the early one.

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Repentance and baptism preached

Acts 2: 38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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Signs and wonders, sharing, daily communion of saints, church growth daily event

Acts 2: 43-47

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

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People sold what they had to help others, everyone was financially equal

Acts 4: 34-35

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

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True signs and wonders, and healings

Acts 5: 12, 15

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

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Widows were cared for DAILY

Acts 6: 1-2

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

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Baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues

Acts 10: 44-46

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

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Members give true prophesies of things to come

Acts 11:28

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

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Intercessory prayer- without ceasing!

Acts 12: 5

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

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Leaders refuse to be honored and hero worshipped

Acts 14: 14-15

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

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Marianne’s thoughts

The church described here is the one I want to belong to.

But I cannot find it.

Many are searching for the same thing, and are disappointed.

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Church is not 3 songs and a sermon on Sunday.

Church is not the prosperity gospel, where the only one prospering is the one who gets paid to preach it.

It was never meant to be a social club, dividing the rich from the poor.

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The church here is to be found inside of us.

It can start with us, and grow from there.

The kingdom of God is within us.

We have to share the light with others.

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Once our hearts are true, our lives will reflect the same values and activities the early church demonstrated.

The poor will be helped. The sick will be healed. The Holy Spirit will be poured out.

Everyone will share. People will fellowship daily. The widows will be cared for.

And then the church will be added to daily, as it was 2000 years ago.

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May this come quickly.

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