Christian Identity

The gospel of Mark ends rather abruptly at verse 16:8, in the middle of a sentence but according to Mann the beginning also started very abruptly means it could still have been written by Mark. In this ending Mary and Mary the mother of James are headed to the tomb where Jesus has been buried, they are bringing spices to anoint the body of Jesus. According to Harrington this is rather odd because it is not custom for someone to anoint a deceased person a day and two nights after the death. Also the fact that they were bringing the spices to anoint him means that they

Jesus spends his time on Earth trying to tell His disciples who he is, and then fulfills His promise to them, and spends time with the disciples after he has risen and returned. For the disciples, this is momentous because everything that Jesus had been preaching to them was coming true. Unlike John, the gospel of Mark leaves a cliff hanger (referring to the non-extended version). The gospel simply ends with “for they were afraid.” Even with the additional 11 verses, the gospel of Mark does not emphasize Jesus’s resurrection as boldly as John. Despite this cliffhanger, this resolution to the plot of Mark is fitting. Just as Jesus was elusive with who he was, he was elusive in his

When many think of the early Church, they think of a perfectly uniformed group of individuals praising and worshiping together. This, in fact, is not true; the early church was not perfectly unified and had many internal and external conflicts. The apostles preached about Jesus and tried to get followers through talking about his life, death, and resurrection. When the church was starting, many internal questions arose like: Who can hear the gospel? Who was in charge? And what does it mean to be free? Many also were not sure whom to turn to ensure that something was valid within the church. With so much confusion, people turned towards the principle apostolicity, which connected the work and intentions of the apostles and ensured reliability. They used the partnership with the spirit to make decisions.

Christianity was still quite young at the time Paul wrote to Philemon and was faced with much opposition. The Church existed as local bodies of believers, meeting primarily in homes because there were no church buildings for worship. Persecution of the Church was prevalent and their survival depended heavily on dependence on one another and unity. Many misconceptions and even blatant lies

What does Christian community really mean? Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer gives insight into what Christians relationships were designed to be like. The main theme Bonhoeffer explores is Christ in the Christian community under the Word of God. Bonhoeffer explains God’s gift of community by arguing the following: “It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren” (Bonhoeffer, 1978, p. 20). In addition the author adds, “Christian community is like the Christian’s sanctification. It is a gift of God, which we cannot claim. Only God knows the real state of our fellowship, of our sanctification” (p. 30). Overall Life Together is biblically

have many weak symptoms. The church community’s level of differentiation is an average of all

Paul, also in romans 12 sets before the church not only their relation to Christ who is Head but also the relations between brothers and sisters in Christ. It was vital for Paul to begin by entreating them to present their bodies a living

Author Dan Yarnell suggested seven characteristics of a Christ-honoring church in the 21st century: worship, fellowship, interaction with Scripture, discipleship, community, living sacrificially, and living missionally. However, Yarnell contradicted himself when he stated that the church originated at Pentecost (Acts 2) and proceeded to provide examples of the effects of cultural development and new missional opportunities on the church prior to Pentecost. While the term “church” or “” is unique to Acts and the following New Testament writings, its concept and precepts existed from the time of Genesis. In fact, Yarnell did not reference any Old Testament passages or practices. Therefore, Yarnell contradicted himself and ignored Old

However, it does serve as a guide when it comes to building community with one another and a deeper relationship with Christ. The Acts 2 Model is based off Acts 2:42-47. In this verse a unity of believers is seen throughout this Scripture. For example, we see that the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, devoted themselves to fellowship, devoted themselves to sharing meals (Lord’s Supper), and devoted themselves to prayer. This Biblical system that is in place goes hand in hand with the strategy of the Acts 2 Model which are connect, grow, serve, go, and worship.

Let me explain, in the book of Acts, there is the history of how Christianity came about. The Apostle Peter preached boldly because of the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, the life application here is to turn to the Holy Spirit to give us courage also insight to accomplish what God wants us to do building His kingdom. However, change will take place as new churches are founded. The book of Acts tells us that by faith in Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, we can face these new problems, challenges as well as give us significant ways to unravel them. The early church was founded by God’s Holy Spirit and His power with the help of his disciples just as it should be today (Acts 1-2

The disciples were happy followers of Jesus in the beginning and dropped did everything for him. At the beginning of the disciples journey with Jesus they started witnessing miracles and learning many new things. Towards the middle of the disciples journey with Jesus they started doubting and wondering what there purpose was. When the Disciples journey with Jesus comes to an end they don't want him to leave and deny that he will die on the cross. The disciples understand he has a purpose and has to leave and they pray with him. When Jesus leaves the Disciples and ascended into heaven they faithfully continue to walk in christ and perform miracles. Throughout this time many people start believing and the Disciples distribute throughout the world and go on different journeys performing

Relational. The ministry of Jesus was focused on people and meeting their needs. Spending time with others, both individually and through corporate gatherings, is modeled throughout the Bible. Fellowship with other believers in small groups allows individuals to forge relationships and develop accountability at some level. These deeper bonds demonstrate to others their love for God and others by loving God’s Law, obeying it by God’s grace, and allowing it to lead to Jesus Christ for transformation into His image.

My personal philosophy of small groups is scriptural based. Acts 2:46 says, “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.” As the original church began, it is obvious from Acts chapter two and particularly from verse 46 that the church met in unity in large groups. They actually used a two-fold approach of meeting in large-group meetings and then in the homes for more intimate small-group gatherings. Acts 2:46 clearly shows the church gathering in homes, eating together, and continuing the work of the ministry.

The concept of ‘seeing’ the ways of Jesus and that He is the Messiah, is to truly understand the message being portrayed throughout the Gospel, and not the surface meaning that is being represented literally. This concept was very significant to Jesus and his followers as to interpret the meaning without being said, most parables being related to the Kingdom of God and Jesus’ miracle stories. Times were harsh and difficult to spread and teach the words of Jesus, as Mark’s community would face persecution. The disciples of Jesus could ‘see’ more than other believers could perceive, from being apart of Jesus’ life with close relationships, as they were taught the fundamentals from Jesus himself to understand his teachings in much more depth and fluency than others. There were many similarities among Jesus’ twelve disciples and Mark’s community, as both groups share the strong faith in Jesus and God’s power by spreading the good news to others as well as experiencing hardships caused by arrogant hierarchy and society. According to Mark, Jesus was known for his parables and

Mark presents Jesus as a compassionate savior who through his acts of service and acts of suffering summons unbelievers to become disciples and so that believers would understand what it means to be committed followers of Jesus. In Mark's account of the Passion of Jesus Christ, Jesus dies alone.Jesus only speaks once from the cross stating "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" and dies. Mark acknowledges that after Jesus' crucifixtion that people believed in Jesus being the true Messiah, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" (15:39).