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Our authority to meet on Sundays…a brief history of

Our authority to meet on Sundays…a brief history of collection for the affected saints by famine to meet upon the first day of the week…

 

Jerusalem Congregation origination…had all things in common…even on the first day of the week…

Act 2:42-47 ASV  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.  43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  45  and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.  46  And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,  47  praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved… Act 4:32-35 ASV  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.  33  And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.  34  For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,  35  and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as anyone had need…

 

Circumstances change and Christian became in need…

Act 11:27-30 ASV  Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.  28  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.  29  And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judaea:  30  which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul…

 

…People decided to send relief to the elders in Jerusalem before the famine affected Christians…

1Co 16:1-2 ASV  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.  2  Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come…

…Paul speaking to the Christians in Rome…Rom 15:25-26 ASV  but now, I say, I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints.  26  For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem…

…Paul speaking to the Christians in Corinth…And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:  4  and if it be meet for me to go also, they shall go with me. 1Co 16:3-4 ASV…

…Paul with inspiration of the Holy Spirit instructed these Christians and the churches or congregations to remember the brethren in need taking up a collection…it was during a time of prophesied famine and they were preparing to ward of the hunger yet to come…perhaps already affecting Christians…

 

The Congregations meet on Sunday and had what we would call church…

Act 20:7 ASV  And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight…Paul preached…the took bread the Lord’s Supper…they were assembled upon the first day of the week on Sunday having church as we commonly call it or a worship assembly.

Paul in his travels and in his instructions assembled on the first day of the week taking bread…being Sunday…which is also the day the Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead…we celebrate the Lord’s death burial and resurrection each Sunday…while partaking of the Lord’s Supper…

1Co 11:23-29 ASV  For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;  24  and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of Me.  25  In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.  26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he come.  27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.  28  But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.  29  For he that eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body…

We eat the unleavened bread in remembrance Jesus never let sin or this world into His life…He remained sinless and unleavened…purity…holy…perfect…having never broken one of the Ten Commandments…Having never lived His life for anything other than reconciliation with the lesser sinners in His life for all time…never not accomplished His mission and became the Author of Salvation…The Mediator of a new agreement between God and creation working reconciliation and forgiveness…destroying the works of satan…destroying the power of his lie…of his murderous intentions to murder God’s Truth…Jesus gave His entire life to remain pure and undefiled by this world and sin…May The Bread of Life feed us till we want no more…

 

We drink the fruit of the vine…in remembrance that God became born of a virgin…God became a man and died for me so that He could reconcile me to Himself…showing there is nothing God will not do to reconcile with You even die for you…after being scourged…as long as you surrender your ways to His ways in truth and righteousness…remembering the agony of the pain and real blood shed for my evil deeds…so I could choose to never do a wrong thing again and be forgiven through His substitute and sacrifice for my pardon…He will teach me the truth and all I have to do is what is right by God first then fellow creation…He says…Mat 5:6 ASV  Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 

Summary of why we meet on Sunday each week…

So since there are instructions to multiple congregations to meet on the first day of the week…and since Sunday is the first day of the week…then we today must follow the same pattern and instructions given by the Holy Spirit to multiple congregations…to meet upon the First Day of the Week…and since there is a Sunday each week we therefore must abide by the Same Instruction and assemble on Sunday each week…as they were instructed…

 

Eternal rewards for earthly deeds any man can do…

Jesus said… Mat 25:31-40 ASV  But when the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then shall He sit on the throne of His glory:  32  and before Him shall be gathered all the nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;  33  and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  34  Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35  for I was hungry, and ye gave Me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in;  36  naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.  37  Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee hungry, and fed Thee? or athirst, and gave Thee drink?  38  And when saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee?  39  And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?  40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto Me.

 

Example of complete trust and dependence in God’s provision…beyond the ability of most…

Luk 21:1-4 ASV  And He looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury.  2  And He saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  3  And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all:  4  for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.

 

Father forgive us…show us mercy…and in love correct us to do better than we have in the past…so we will not sin against You and offend You…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

 

Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend




If Jesus came back today then are you prepared…yes or no?

If Jesus came back today then are you prepared…yes or no?


Mat 25:1-13 ASV  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  2  And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.  3  For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:  4  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  5  Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  6  But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.  7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.  9  But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  10  And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.  11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  13  Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

 

Two groups of virgins the wise and the foolish…

1.      The foolish brought no oil or fuel for the lamps against the darkness

…These virgins hear of the bridegroom and a marriage…they wait to see the bridegroom but it is a long wait and did not think about their lamps running out of fuel in the middle of the night while they are waiting on the bridegroom to start the wedding.

2.      The wise brought oil or fuel for their lamps against the darkness

…The wise knew it was the middle of the night and understood it may be late at night when he shows up…they prepared and brought more fuel so they could see. Are you prepared…if you died right now would you be saved…yes or no?

3.      They Slumbered and sleep

…While they waited in the night they all fell asleep…waiting…

 

Bridegroom…

1.      Is delayed…

…We do not know the reason for his delay…business details…marriage details…but is delayed and makes it as soon as possible…

2.      The cry of his coming…

…Those at the marriage are expecting him and hear the bridegroom is near…lets out a cry…he is finally here get ready for the feast…

3.      Finally the time is prepared and he is now there…

…Everyone hears and preparing for the marriage…

 

Marriage begins…for those ready or prepared

1.      The door is opened and the prepared are allowed into the marriage

…it’s the middle of the night…the door opens and those who have the light in the darkness are let in because they are there and prepared…they have oil in their lamps and are seen by the portal of the door…then because they are prepared allowed inside.

2.      The Door is shut and the unprepared are left outside

…Those who could not see because they ran out of oil had to go find some fuel to be able to even see the entrance into the marriage feast…when the door is opened they are running errands to finds oil so they can be prepared and waiting…they are left outside in the darkness…

3.      The bridegroom’s choice to not deal with the unprepared…

…The bridegroom was delayed and so was his marriage…the party at the marriage was just waiting on him…the details had to be ironed out…the business had to be handled…the preparations had to be made…but even though they are waiting on the bridegroom…notice He does not wait or cater to the unprepared…but allowed those who were ready even though He was delayed…

 

 

Are you prepared to enter into the marriage feast with Jesus Christ…yes or no? Would you go to Heaven is Jesus came back today…yes or no? Have you been baptized…yes or no? Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead so you could never choose a wrong thing again…there is no reason not to be prepared and waiting on His coming…Jesus will forgive you of all past wrongs and then teach or reveal the truth to you so you can do what is right with your Creator…

 


Jesus said after His resurrection… 

Mar 16:14-20 ASV  And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen.  

 

15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.  16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.  

 

17  And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;  18  they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  19  So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.  20  And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

 

 

Father we ask you would confirm we must be baptized in ordered to be prepared for Your Only Son’s coming…so we may not have to live in doubt but know we have done that which is required to be prepared…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

 

 

If Jesus came back today then are you prepared…yes or no?

 

Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend




The Good News From Jesus Himself…all Jesus’s teaching…

The Good News From Jesus Himself…all Jesus’s words…

Mat 11:28-30 ASV  Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light… Joh 6:35 ASV  Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst… Mat 6:30-34 ASV  But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  31  Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  32  For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things.  33  But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  34  Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof... Joh 10:7-11 ASV  Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the Door of the sheep.  8  All that came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.  9  I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.  10  The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.  11  I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

 

Joh 8:31-32 ASV  Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed Him, If ye abide in My word, then are ye truly My disciples;  32  and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free… Joh 3:16-17 ASV  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  17  For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him… Luk 13:3-5 ASV  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.  4  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?  5  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish… Mat 10:32-33 ASV  Every one therefore who shall confess Me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.  33  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven… Joh 3:5-8 ASV  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.  8  The wind blows where it will, and thou hear the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit… Mar 16:16-18 ASV  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.

 

Mat 25:31-40 ASV  But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his Glory:  32  and before Him shall be gathered all the nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;  33  and He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35  for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;  36  naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  37  Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave Thee drink?  38  And when saw we thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee?  39  And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?  40  And the King shall answer and say unto Them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these My brethren, even these least, ye did it unto Me… Mat 25:41-46 ASV  Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:  42  for I was hungry, and ye did not give Me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink;  43  I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in; naked, and ye clothed Me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not.  44  Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?  45  Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto Me.  46  And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

 

Father help us hear the truth and see with discernment how to not offend and do right by You our Creator…please meet our soul’s deepest needs for mercy and repentance…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

 

The Good News From Jesus Himself...

Try…A…Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend




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