He started with twelve disciples, a few women and some friends. At the end of his ministry, there were about 120 followers who believed in Him. It may come as a surprise that he did not encourage his disciples to “stop” attending Sabbath services in the synagogues, and begin constructing their own church building. He Himself was very much a part of those worship services in the synagogues during His ministry and was even invited to read and teach the Scriptures on many occasions.

       Jesus continually preached, “Repent: for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15) If the law has been done away, or if Jesus intended to do away with it, why does He need to preach “repentance”? It is very clear in the 3½ years ministry of Jesus that repentance, turning away from one’s sinful life, is necessary if one expects to be in the Kingdom of God (Luke 13:3-5). Jesus knew that His death DOES NOT mean the law is no longer to be kept, that’s why He continually taught obedience to the commandments, not only in DEEDS but also in the MIND and in the HEART! Jesus knew that His death means sinners no longer need to pay the penalty of their sins but this DOES NOT give them license to continue breaking the law or disobey it. In the famous Sermon on the Mount chapters,Jesus clearly taught that the keeping of the Law begins in the heart, and sin, or the breaking of the Law also begins in the heart (Matthew 5-7).

       The Great Commission spells out very clearly the mission order of the church: Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus continually taught obedience to the Ten Commandments, and just before he went up to heaven, he “commanded” his disciples to obey everything he has taught them and to teach the same to everyone.

       Today’s preachers teach contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. They teach that the law has been “done away.” Do they know better than Jesus Christ? Whom will you believe?

       Jesus’ core followers were fishermen, a tax collector, common folks, one or two Rabbis and those which the society of His day considered “sinners” above all. Contrary to what “church-goers” are today, Jesus’ disciples were not ordinary “church-going” folks. They were “revolutionaries” aspiring for complete freedom from the Roman government to establish their own! Their vision was to topple the Roman government and with Jesus as King, rule with Him over the tribes of Israel. They didn’t exactly see themselves as pastors, preachers, or ministers the way churches are structured today. They preached of a coming literal Kingdom and at the same time preaching that only those who accept Jesus as Savior and have “repented, baptized and received the Holy Spirit” can become a part of that ruling Kingdom. In other words, Peter and the apostles weren’t just our everyday “church-going folks,” they envision themselves as rulers and kings of a coming kingdom which they hoped would be set up in their lifetime.

       But God did not set up the Kingdom as they expected. He is not subject to the timetable of man. He holds it for the future and we can still become citizens of that Kingdom!

The Day of Pentecost

       Peter, in his very first public sermon on the Day of Pentecost, shouted: “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you for the remission of sins…” Again, if the sacrifice and death of Jesus meant the law was either nailed to the cross or done away, why do men and women have to repent? Repent of what? What is the point of repenting from something that no longer exists or is in force? Jesus had ALREADY DIED and was offered as a sacrifice before Peter made the statement. So if the death of Jesus “nullified” the law, why would Peter make such a statement afterwards? Didn’t Peter know that the “law has been done away” by the death of Jesus? Did not Paul say “where there is no law there is no transgression?” (Romans 4:15) If after the death of Jesus Christ, Peter and the other apostles continue to preach repentance from sins, what does that mean? The answer is quite obvious! The LAW is still very much in effect and in force!

       Paul knew well enough to warn the churches of God in Galatia and Corinth, that those who live in disregard of the Law will neither inherit nor enter the Kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (NIV, I Corinthians 6:9-11) For a more thorough and in-depth discussion on this subject, request for your free copy “The Ten Commandments” immediately.

       Peter may not have realized how far the “future” was when he said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39) We do know, however, that 20 centuries has passed from the time he said it.

       Pentecost is often referred to as the “birthday” of the Church of God, but we know that the apostles “received the Holy Spirit” well ahead of Pentecost (John 20:21-23). The resurrection of Jesus Christ marked the beginning of the new Church of God, He being the foundation and chief cornerstone, the firstfruits among many brethren. He “breathed” on the disciples and gave them the holy spirit the very next time He manifested Himself to them after His resurrection.

The Early Persecution

       After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples continued to attend the local synagogues and preached the resurrection of Jesus and performed miracles and healings (Acts 2:46, Acts 3:1, Acts 4:2, Acts 5:29-32).

       This grabbed the attention of the rulers and elders of the Sanhedrin. They called Peter and John, threatened and ordered them to stop preaching the resurrection of Jesus. Peter and John were not intimidated, but instead made one of the boldest statement of a disciple : “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20).

       Peter, John and the disciples, unfazed by the threats, continued to preach the resurrection. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, “the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.” (Acts 5:12-13). Nevertheless, more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. This made the high priest and his associates, members of the Sanhedrin, more jealous of the apostles and ordered the arrest of Peter and John and had them imprisoned. But God sent an angel to release them from prison and the very next morning they were once again in the temple preaching.

The death of Stephen marked the beginning of Jesus’ disciples’ persecution and martyrdom (Acts 7:54-8:3). Except for the Apostles, the brethren were scattered in Judea and Samaria, and in other parts of Asia, preaching along the way as they go running for their lives. Saul was going house to house forcibly taking the brethren and throwing them into prison.

The Conversion of Paul

On his way to a “Sanhedrin-backed” campaign against a perceived new Jewish sect, Saul was in for the shock of his life. On the road to Damascus, a blinding light struck him and he heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”        “Who are you Lord? “ Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:1-6) God blinded Saul for three days, enough to make him think over and contemplate the things he’s been doing against Jesus’ disciples. For someone who suddenly loses his sight, who believes he has done nothing wrong, he was forced to really think deeply about what has just happened. Three days later, Jesus sent Ananias to restore Saul’s sight, baptize him and give him the Holy Spirit.

       Ananias was reluctant and fearful upon hearing the instruction, but Jesus assured him that Saul is a “chosen instrument” to carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles, to their kings and the people of Israel. And Saul too must suffer in Jesus’ name. He will now have a “dose of his own medicine” and even more.

       Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. He began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Saul baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days, the Jews conspired to kill him. (Acts 9:19-22).

Saul, renamed Paul, from persecutor of the Church of God, now became the persecuted. In every place where he preached the gospel he finds himself at odds with the rulers of the synagogues.        Paul’s 13 letters to various churches are now part of “Scriptures” although he himself never considered his letters (or epistles) as such. He dedicated his whole life to the preaching of the gospel, and was a very strong preacher (Acts 18:5). Paul was beheaded after the Roman court finds him guilty in a trial manipulated by the Emperor Nero (circa AD 67).

The First Jew-Gentile Controversy

       A few years after the resurrection of Jesus and His ascension to Heaven, His disciples faced their first controversy: Should Gentile converts undergo physical circumcision in order to be saved? (Acts 15). They once had a minor argument concerning the ministration to the widows a few years back but it was resolved by appointing 7 deacons to handle the matter.

       Some Pharisee converts visiting Gentile churches, Antioch particularly, started to “preach” that unless a “disciple” is physically circumcised, they cannot be saved.

       The circumcision issue brought a “sharp dispute and debate, and much discussion” as we are told in Acts 15:2, 7. In the end, the Holy Spirit guided them into understanding that it was by “the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved…” not by circumcision of the flesh. (Acts 15:11)

       After resolving that physical circumcision is not necessary for the Gentile churches, the Apostles, the Elders and the Jewish brethren wrote a letter. This very brief letter contains “requirements” for Gentile Christians as guided by the Holy Spirit:

The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

       Regardless of what local pastors or preachers teach concerning the food laws and sexual morality, it is clear in this NEW TESTAMENT letter that Christians, especially Gentiles, MUST abstain from foods offered to idols, from blood or meat of strangled animals and to avoid sexual immorality. Most born-again “Christian” teachers avoid a lot of New Testament writings that seem to “reinforce” Old Testament laws. There is no escaping the fact that if there were no more laws to keep, then there should be no more “restrictions” on food or sexual behavior. The fact is Jesus had no intention of “doing away with the Law”! If there was, He would have told and taught that concept while He was with the disciples “after” His resurrection.

Heresies and False Doctrines in the First Century

       The various letters of the Apostles reveal many interesting developments inside the first century churches. While many continue in their faith and strong belief in Jesus Christ’s promises, heresies and false doctrines began to be introduced. And accepted—ironically by their very own teachers and brothers in the faith!

       The Apostle Paul tells the Galatian church that he wonders how soon they have turned “to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.” (Galatians 1:6-7) Paul warned Timothy concerning Hymenaeus and Philetus who were teaching “the resurrection has already taken place... and destroyed the faith of some…” (2 Timothy 2:17-18) Peter warns of “false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them.” (2 Peter 2:1)

       James, the Lord’s younger brother, cautioned: “Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’ These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 17-19)

       The Lord Jesus, several years after He went back to Heaven, warned through the Apostle John the seven churches in Asia minor for allowing heresies and false doctrines in their midst . To the Pergamum church, He said: “I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” (Revelation 2:14-16) Similar warnings were given to the 6 other churches such as Ephesus, Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

       These same heresies, in various subtle forms, are alive and well today, along with myriad of inaccurate and false interpretation of both the Old and New Testament scriptures. This misunderstanding give rise to hundreds of differing churches each one claiming to be holding “the truth.” And even inside these churches are members who hold their own private interpretation and version of “the truth.”

New Testament History Ends Abruptly

       The Acts of the Apostles does not have an ending. Luke “closed” his historical record by telling us that “for two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 28:30-31)

       Traditional history tells us that Paul was found guilty on false charges in a trial that was manipulated and orchestrated by the Emperor Nero (who blamed the burning of Rome to Christians) and was beheaded at around 67-68 AD.

       The apostle John, on exile in the Isle of Patmos (c. AD 90-96), through a vision, wrote the warning of the Lord Jesus to the seven churches in Asia. Revelation 2 and 3 tells us that false doctrines and heresies have crept inside the churches and Jesus warned them that if they “do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Revelation 2:5)

       After John’s death, the New Testament history was “sealed and closed” but only theoretically. The scattered churches, even under persecution, continued preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God with the resurrected Jesus as King of Kings. Fragments of historical records exist on the whereabouts of the many scattered churches that kept “the faith once and for all delivered to the saints” and where they have gone. At around 400 A.D., persecution broke out on the “little churches” that kept the seventh-day Sabbath. And anyone in the Roman Empire found keeping the Sabbath was not spared. The persecution continued for centuries.

The Church of God in the Twentieth Century

       Mainstream Christianity in the 20^th Century bears little resemblance to the “ekklesia” that Jesus originally established. Today’s large churches do not preach Jesus coming as King of kings who will rule the earth with the saints for a thousand years. Instead, they teach that people will go to heaven if they were “good” and to hell if they were “bad.” What a complete contradiction!

       Today’s many different “little” churches who claim to be different from the large ones preach that the “law is done away…” A complete opposite from Jesus parting message to His disciples in Matthew 28:20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.” Jesus nowhere preached disobedience to the laws but continually taught obedience (Matthew Chapters 5-7) not only in deeds but also in the hearts and minds.

       While preachers, pastors and teachers keep trumpeting “the law is done away…” Jesus teaches: “If you want to enter into life, OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS. ’Which ones?’ the man inquired. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:17-19) Sometimes, one is left to wonder, do any of the preachers, pastors and teachers ever listen to Jesus or read the New Testament particularly Matthew?

       Is there any church today that has any semblance to the church that Jesus founded? A church that keeps the commandments, preaches the good news about the soon-coming Kingdom of God, and keeps the faith once and for all delivered to the saints?

       The answer is YES! And it’s not very hard to find.

       Recommended for further reading, write for your free copy of the booklet “The Church and the New World Order” and “Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know about The Church of God International…” AG

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