Melaon Church

Jerry Richard Boone asked:


Back-to-the-Bible Movement

During the later part of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century, a number of church congregations decided that creeds, regardless of whoever wrote them and whatever form they take, are divisive and not in accord with the teachings of the New Testament. They sought to end their denominational ties and become mere Christians with no separating labels.

Why should we base the church exclusively on the New Testament? Jesus chose from his disciples a special group of men called “apostles.” He not only taught them personally, he even promised that after his death, the Holy Spirit would come upon them and “guide them into all truth.” (John 16:13) From that we can conclude the scriptures are inspired.

What’s the extent of their authority? Jesus: “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18 NLT) That sounds authoritative, doesn’t it? Evidently, the early church agreed, for “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching.” (Acts 2:42 ASV)

Is there any real harm in adapting the church and its doctrine to fit in with the times? Paul thought so, “If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:9 NKJV) Furthermore, the writer of Hebrews assures us: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) And Jesus himself told us: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Luke 21:33)

But what of church tradition? How much authority should we bequeath to the traditions of the church? They are, in fact, nothing more than the traditions of men. Jesus may well ask us one day, as he asked the Pharisees and teachers of the law, “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3)

We have heard it before in Isaiah: “The Lord says:

‘These people come near to me with their mouth

and honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

Their worship of me

is made up only of rules taught by men.’ ” (Isaiah 29:13)

Members from various denominations: Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians reached the same conclusion at about the same time. They simply wanted to be members of the church Jesus Christ said he would build; and, like the first century church, continue steadfastly in the apostles’ teachings. In the eighteenth century, as well as the twenty-first century, that meant following the inspired, authoritative, New Testament scriptures and nothing else. This back-to-the-Bible movement is called the Restoration.

In Great Britain congregations dedicated to New Testament Christianity were founded in Morrison’s Court, Glasgow, Scotland in 1778; Leith Walk, Edinburgh, Scotland in 1798; in North Wales in 1779; Tubemore, Ireland in 1807; Manchester, England in 1810, and other locations.

In America, James O’Kelley, a Methodist minister who favored the Bible as the only authority in faith and practice, established a church of Christ in Mankintown, North Carolina in 1793. Abner Jones, a physician from Hartland, Vermont, a Baptist who became dissatisfied with human creeds, started a church of twenty-five members at Lyndon, Vermont. At the turn of the century, other churches were established at Bradford and Piermont, New Hampshire.

In Kentucky, Barton W. Stone (1772-1844), a Presbyterian preacher, begin to question the Westminster Confession. He found the Calvinistic belief in total depravity inconsistent with New Testament scriptures. Stone denounced all human creeds and appealed to the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice.

Other Presbyterian ministers, Thomas Campbell (1763-1854) and his son Alexander (1788-1866) settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania. They too raised doubts about their denomination. They became Baptists. Later, reading Acts 2:38 convinced them that baptism was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. Both father and son left the Baptist church to preach New Testament Christianity.

Another Presbyterian, Walter Scott (1796-1861), arrived in America in 1818. He too came to reject human standards in religion and infant baptism and to teach Christianity only. Scott, who wrote his :”Essays on Teaching Christianity”, in the first volume of The Christian Baptist, became one of the most prolific writers of the Restoration.

Churches of Christ

This Restoration idea of returning to mere Christianity and the church we read about in the scriptures, secular historians call: “The Second Great Revival Period in American History.” The churches established solely on New Testament teachings came to be known as churches of Christ. It was never meant as a denominational title. The term “church of Christ” shows possession; the church belongs to Christ. It’s the church he built and paid for with his own blood.

Some detractors erroneously refer to these congregations as “Stone-Campbell churches.” Barton W. Stone, Thomas, and Alexander Campbell are certainly appreciated for the work they accomplished. However, they neither originated nor founded the churches of Christ.

Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 ASV) “No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV) These independent congregations are not denominations; they strive to be strictly Biblical in organization, doctrine, and worship–without human creeds or names by Stone or Campbell or anyone else.

“Is Christ Divided?”

How about you? Do you belong to the church Jesus died for?

To paraphrase a quote by the evangelist preacher, Mack Lyon: “Oh, but you say, ‘I’m a member of the Lord’s church all right, but I am a member of such-and-such a denomination of his church.’ Oh, I see. Which one? Is it the one of Cephas? Or of Paul? Or of Apollos? As Paul asked the members of the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 1:1-13. Or is it the one of Luther? Or Calvin? Or Wesley? And let me ask you as the apostle did the Corinthians. ‘Is Christ divided?’ Did the man whose denomination you joined die for you? Were you baptized in his name?”

Christ Prayed for Unity

Christ prayed for unity among his followers. (John 17:11) Certainly, one thing around which Christians from all faiths can unite is — the Bible. Scriptures tell us that Jesus built his church. His apostles contributed detailed accounts of the organization, doctrine, and worship in Christ’s church. Today, many Christians are seeking to replicate that same church, the one Jesus built and his apostles describe, without denominational creeds or human traditions.

Peter, on the day of Pentecost in the first sermon preached, told those who believed his message: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit . . . . Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them . . . . And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:38-47 NKJV)

That was the way you became a member of Christ’s church in the first century, and the same is true today. It’s your decision. No one can make it for you. Just remember, it was Jesus who said: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord.’ and do not do what I say.” (Luke 6:46)

Quote of the Day: “It is my deepest conviction that New Testament Christianity — I mean undenominationalized Christianity — what you read in your New Testament — unpolluted with centuries of human tradition, and untainted with the newest novelties and fads, is the best thing that ever happened to the human race, and that’s our message.” Mack Lyon (1922 -) American Evangelist

If you have a question or want to find a local congregation in your area, send me an email. I respect your privacy. No one is going to ask you for money, ask you to buy anything, or sell or give away your email address.

Note: All Scripture References are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.

ASV - American Standard Version

NKJV - New King James Version

NLT - New Living Translation

Groshan Fabiola asked:


The church is the place where people come to worship God and be closer to Him, as well as to repent of their sins. It takes more than a simple building made of bricks and mortar to form a church. The local congregation of believers and the place they choose as the house of their Lord is often what the word church refers to. Each church has its individual values and theology, and all of God’s beauty, order, creativity and detail should be used to the highest level of design to reflect these specific features. Therefore, everyone who is involved in a church design and construction process should try to use this creativity, beauty and order to turn the church into a welcoming place for all believers.

The place of worship has undergone some dramatic changes over the years. However, the most notable changes regarding church design and construction have only been witnessed in the past years. The traditional church buildings are slowly being replaced by new forms of expression, as old style buildings no longer match the kind of ministry that people are looking for nowadays. Today’s church design and construction aim at reshaping the worship and life of congregations. And it is not the church building alone that church designers should consider. Church plans should definitely include site planning, as many churchgoers believe that the site is the first invitation that the church makes. Furthermore, with space being a constant problem for churches, site planning is equally important in church plans as far as future expansion is concerned. It is believed that good church design and construction is the best way to build a community. The most recent forms of expression in church design and construction include a large gathering space, where people get together for Bible study, worship, choir practice, exercise classes, committee meetings, and so forth.

Church architecture can be regarded as a symbolic expression of the faith of the community in question. Therefore, church design and construction should put emphasis on the specific architecture that is most appropriate to that community. Apart from making an invitation, the church architecture should be relevant of God’s creativity, order and beauty in general, and of the congregation’s faith in particular. Good church design and construction can render the feeling of God being in the congregation’s midst, instead of being at a distance. Furthermore, the use of light in a church building is of fundamental importance, given its spiritual significance. Light should be an important consideration in the church design and construction process. Using light in a church building has long been a major concern that has already evolved into an architectural tradition. However, given the significance of light and its symbolism, this tradition has to be rethought each time new church design and construction are considered.

The ideas presented above are just some aspects related to church design and construction. The process of constructing or expanding a church is a lot more complex, and the insight of a good church architect will prove to be a very valuable tool. Whatever your church plans may encompass, be it the remodeling of interior rooms or exterior façade, converting warehouses into full church facilities, multi-structure campuses, or building a new church from the ground up, there are church architects who can provide unique insights, while honoring your individual theology and values, as well as your specific needs and budget.

For more resources about Church design and construction or even about church plans please review this web page http://marshillstudio.com

Celestial Church Of Christ Forum! asked:




Celestial Church of Christ constitutes the Body of Christ being the HEAD, the FATHER, and the OWNER of Celestial Church. Therefore, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He put on humanity so that man may put on Divinity. We believe that Christ has completed the work of redemption about two thousand years ago. Within the work of redemption is the continuous reconciliattion of man to God.

Celestial Church of Christ (C.C.C.) is a spiritual, world-wide, united, indivisible Holy Church which came into the world from heaven by DIVINE ORDER on the 29th of September 1947 in Porto Novo, Republic of Benin through the founder of the Church, Late Reverend, Pastor, Prophet, Founder Samuel Bilehou Joseph Oshoffa.   The Church is established by Power in the Blood of Jesus Christ well known with branches all over the world and international headquarters in Nigeria

The Divine Order

JEHOVAH called Rev., Pastor, Prophet Oshoffa on the day of total Eclipse of the sun in West Africa, when he was in the forest of Dahomey (now Republic of Benin), to purchase Ebony wood being a carpenter and timber trader, just like his father.  He was in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights.  Just as our Lord Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights.  St. Matt. 4: 1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13.  Just as our Lord started his mission of redemption alone, so also did our highly esteemed Rev., Pastor, Founder, S.B.J. Oshoffa started alone, on the 29th September 1947.

The Spiritual Message

In the deep mystery of divine appearance, during prayer on the 19th September 1947, a winged Angel bathed in intense light; word came from God to the founder as follows:

“It is the wish of God to send you on an errand of preaching into the World.  Many nominal Christians there who were confronted by difficulties and problems of this world.  They run after ****** priests and other power of darkness for all kinds of assistance.  Consequently, on their death, they cannot see Christ because, by their action, Satan has left his spiritual mark on them.  To assist you in your work so that men may listen to the fact that God has sent you.”

The Special Duty and Great Commission of Celestial Church of Christ

Precisely, the Lord Jesus has established the Church for the salvation of mankind. The Special Duty and Great Commission of Celestial Church of Christ is that the church shall cleanse the world and that the church would make disciples of all nations. For this purpose, Celestial Church of Christ is established and fully equipped by God who fabricated her with the Power in the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Moreover, the five ministries Jesus descended are very much active in Celestial Church of Christ. They are

· The Apostles

· The Prophets

· The Evangelists

· The Shepherds

· The Teachers (Eph 4:11)

Jesus Christ has clothed the church with enormous spiritual power spectacular spiritual strength. From the smallest parish to the greatest, miracles of diverse magnitude are a common feature.

As a result of this duty, each member is called upon to play apart.

The Name of the Church:

The name of the Church “Celestial Church of Christ” was revealed by the Holy Spirit through a Prophet who was held in trance for seven days.

The Tenets and Distinctive Mode of Worship of the Church

The Tenets and Distinctive Mode of Worship is ordained by the Holy Spirit. Mode of worship includes the setting of the Altar, and the seat therein, the number of candles used for various types of services and the seating arrangement in particular, it should be noted that the seating arrangements was revealed through a Prophetess who under the influence of the Holy Spirit in the wilderness on Friday 5th of October, 1947, sketched the seating arrangement using oranges.

Liturgical Worship of Celestial Church of Christ

The Holy Spirit is responsible for the various forms of liturgical worship services in the church. No one of them is a product of the intellect of man.

The introductory aspect of the worship service consists of bowing down for the Lord with the forehead touching the ground three times after the ring of the bell, after we have rendered processional songs in which we speak in tongue with interpretations (Rev 14:5, 7). The rest of the solemn assembly is devoted to singing, praying, bible reading, sermon, and lastly offerings.

There is an order of service laid down in the Celestial Church of Christ for different occasions such as Marriage, Funeral, Naming Ceremony, Mass in Remembrance of the dead, etc.  The order for the respective occasion is strictly as revealed by the Holy Spirit and as set out in the booklet titled “Order of Service”.

Holy Rites or Sacraments

There are a number of Holy Rites or Sacrament within the form of worship in Celestial Church of Christ utmost importance.  Members shall avail themselves of the opportunity to partake in these rites or sacraments: Baptism, Holy Communion, Annual Washing of Feet, Annual Pilgrimage to Imeko, Ogun State, Nigeria at Christmas Eve, Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service, and Holy Mary’s Day.

Membership

All persons who earnestly, sincerely desire to be saved looking for salvation and therefore accept Jesus Christ as the son of God and Holy conversion by taking up such duties and privileges as entailed in the fellowship and the Ten Commandments are welcome into the fold.  Celestial Church of Christ is an inclusive congregation, with the desire to observe the Tenets and Mode of Worship is welcome.

 Forum

There is an online forum and discussion board located at http://www.celestialforum.com . Join the forum; Get Information. Share, Learn, Connect With People Around The World & Publicize Your Businesses & Programmes To Billions Of Internet Users.

Stephen Church asked:


 

The collection of Willow Tree has made a massive impact on collectable retailers ever since it’s beginnings in 2000. One such company, Church’s China, has found Willow Tree to be their best selling brand, and helping them to build upon the successes found in their past.

 

Church’s China began life as a little china and crystal retailer in Devizes in Wiltshire. Before long it moved to Northampton and, as the twentieth century progressed, it grew to become the UK’s premier retailer of collectable brands, such as Willow Tree

 

The fourth generation of the family business was represented by Wilfrid Church, known by his middle name of Vivian. Having inherited his mother’s outgoing temperament; Vivian played an altogether different role in the business from his father, the shy Wilfrid. Vivian was (and still is!) masterful at employing his tremendous sense of humour in selling to customers. There are literally hundreds who can vividly recall him demonstrating the strength of fine bone china by hurling plates to the floor or pirouetting on upturned tea cups, admittedly not a trick that would be attempted with something from a collection such as Willow Tree

 

Vivian was also been innovative in his business planning. In his design of the Emporium Arcade expansion in the mid sixties and the move into Welsh House in the seventies, he showed tremendous imagination. Furthermore, his concept of developing a cookshop side to the business in 1965 was years ahead of its time. Customer care had always been a fundamental consideration. To this end, his introduction of free gift wrapping (hitherto unheard of) was a major innovation.

 

In the early 1970’s, in an almost eerie repetition of what occurred at the turn of the century, Church’s China were informed that they had to vacate their position on the Market Square. Again, they were forced to make way for a new shopping development, and again they took temporary refuge in Sheep Street. In fact, during this second period of exile from the Market Square, Church’s occupied two shops; one in Sheep Street in a converted garage showroom currently occupied by Durham Pine. The other shop was at the top of the Drapery from where Thomas Cook now operates.

 

1975 witnessed another exciting move for Church’s, as for the third time in 105 years the business took occupancy in Northampton’s Market Square. The town centre had developed beyond all recognition; the entire area known as Newland had been replaced by an extensive two storey shopping mall, the Grosvenor Centre. The Market Square entrance to the centre was overlooked by the recently restored Jacobean frontage of Welsh House, a building that has a colourful history. It was built towards the end of the sixteenth century for a firm of lawyers, and in 1675 featured in the Great Fire of Northampton. The town centre was destroyed and one of the few escape routes for the inhabitants of the Market Square was through Welsh House into the fields beyond.

 

Welsh House stands as a reminder of Northampton’s historic links with Wales. There is more than one theory as to the origin of the name, Welsh House. One is that the firm of lawyers for whom it was built were of Gaellic extraction. An alternative idea is more agricultural. In the sixteenth century, Welsh drovers would herd sheep, cattle and even geese down the old Roman road of Watling Street (the A5), to sell them on Northampton’s Market Square. On occasions, these drovers would stay overnight in the building. Whatever the reason for its name, the welsh link is indisputable, for even today, if you look at the crest on the front of the building, you will see the Welsh Dragon, the crest of Llewelyn, Prince of Wales and the Welsh Motto “Heb Dyw Heb Dim, Dyw y Digon” (Without God Without anything, God is Enough).

One of the key roles played by Welsh House was that, for many years in the eighteenth century, it housed the original offices of the Northampton Mercury (now part of the Chronicle & Echo). This newspaper proudly holds the record of the longest surviving provincial newspaper in Britain.

 

Church’s not only occupied three floors of Welsh House, but had also taken a unit on the first floor of the Grosvenor Centre, offering the unique opportunity to present alternative faces to the buying public; one a contemporary, modern feel displaying the likes of Willow Tree, the other having a more traditional feel.

 

This window display of Willow Tree certainly helps to boost it’s sales, but this may not be necessary, as the Willow Tree collection has captured the heart of the nation. As Stephen Church, current MD of Church’s China, puts it, “one reason for the success of Willow Tree is their versatility as a gift. You can give flowers or chocolates for almost any occasion, but Willow tree figurines don’t fade and they don’t melt. They’re a gift that expresses an emotion that simply lasts forever.”

 

 

 

To explore our range of Willow Tree collectibles further, please visit our website at http://www.theukgiftcompany.co.uk