Genuineness of your 'Faith'
Originals are almost always worth more than copies, counterfeits or forgeries. Take the ‘Art World’ for instance: A painting from one of the old ‘Grand Masters’ of the 16th or 17th centuries can fetch millions of dollars at the elite Art Houses like ‘Sotheby’s of London’ or Christie’s of New York - but copies of such works? Well you can buy them for just a few bucks at Walmart or Target.
What makes an original genuine? It’s unique, one of a kind, an Artist’s only rendition. Or in the case of a Rolex watch, it comes off the Assembly line in Switzerland from the Original mold or design. No one likes to find out after their purchase, that what they thought was genuine - was really a fake, a fraud, a forgery!
Well millions of Christians have come to find that the Christianity they were practicing from birth, is not original Christianity! It really originated during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, or the founding of the Catholic Church in the 4th century.
“For 50 years after St. Paul’s life a curtain hangs over the Church, through which we strive vainly to look. And when at last it rises, about 120 A.D. with the writings of the earliest ‘Church Fathers’ - we find a Church in many respects very different from that in the days of St. Peter & St. Paul… the services of worship increased in splendor, but were less spiritual & hearty than those of former times. The forms & ceremonies of Paganism gradually crept into the worship. Some of the old heathen Feasts became Church Festivals with a change of name and of worship. About 405 A.D. images of Saints & Martyrs began to appear in the churches, at first as memorials, then in succession revered, adored and worshipped. The adoration of the virgin Mary was substituted for the worship of Venus and Diana; the Lord’s Supper became a sacrament in place of a memorial; and the Elder evolved from a preacher into a priest.” (Story of the Christian Church, p.41 Jesse Lyman Hurlbut)
The Apostle Peter was inspired to write: “…that the genuineness of your Faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor & glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I PETER 1:7). Will your Faith be found to be ‘genuine’ at Christ’s return? No! Not unless you heed Jude’s warning: ‘Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for ‘the Faith’ which was once for all delivered to the Saints.” (JUDE VS. 3) It’s a simple choice - Truth or Tradition? Will you stay with a Pseudo-Christianity based on the teachings and traditions of men - or return to the original Faith?
Remember, if ‘Original Christianity’ was good enough for Jesus & the Disciples - it should be good enough for you & me. Learn the stark differences between Original Christianity and 4th Century Christianity, and the many modifications since - by watching ORIGINAL CHRISTIANITY the T.V. program on YOUTUBE. There’s a link to it on this page.