Dulpa, 1 reflection (church history)

As I studied the book I found out that church history is how God’s plan of redemption has been worked out from the beginning until today. This story includes a hero of the whole world, his life on earth, his ministry, total sacrifice of one self, his adventure, his passion, his care for the lost, and also the dramatic conversion of his chosen apostles and disciples, who became martyrs because of their faith in Jesus, and a miracle story of some people who experienced total healing, forgiveness and love on which the church were built because of their trust in Jesus works and ministry as the head and foundation of faith.

I also learned that God had protected and preserved his people to the present day as to bring about the accomplishment of his redemptive purpose in His Son Jesus Christ to bring salvation for everyone, and He was so patient with his people, and faithful to his promises even if the people were so doubtful, and hardheaded,  This is the story of Jesus of Nazareth, recorded by the apostles in the 4 Gospel of Matthew until John as compelling witness that Jesus is long-anticipated Messiah, who brought the kingdom of God to earth and is the prophesied fulfillment of God’s promise of true peace and deliverance for both Jews and Gentiles.

 Jesus was born into a Davidic family which had gone to Bethlehem at the command of a Roman governor. Jesus was a Jew. He came from a Jewish family; He studied the Jewish scriptures; He observed the Jewish religion. The gospel writers picture Jesus as retracing the steps of Israel. Reminiscent of Israel, Jesus spent time in Egypt, entered the Jordan (baptism), was tempted in the wilderness, called twelve apostles (like twelve tribes), spoke God's word like Moses performed mighty deeds of deliverance (signs, wonders, and exorcisms), and confronted imperial powers. Where Israel had failed, Jesus had been a faithful Son. His followers were to take up the task of being God's servant people. He worked with a faithful band of disciples, He taught them about life in what he called "the kingdom of God," and he introduced them to the new covenant that bound them together in forgiveness and love. His death on the cross provides us salvation, and after Jesus ascension, he sends the Holy Spirit to empower the apostles as witness, to spread the message of the gospel, and to draw to himself people from the nations and

Because of that the believers founded their faith in Jesus and they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ among both Jews and Gentiles, and in doing this they establish the church.

            The church believed the written word of God that were inspired by God alone (2Tim.3:14-17) as their sole authority of faith and beliefs. Each church carried out their work with two officers called pastor or bishop, then minister and deacon and they also practiced baptism and the Lord Supper as symbolic memorial of Jesus and the early Christians worshiped simply by singing hymns, praying, reading the scriptures and urging one another but in those times they don’t have buildings to worship together until many years later, they just met together in houses.

As I read all those information from the book I begun bored and honestly I don’t love history; I don’t like to tackle their names, their contributions to the society, specially their struggles in life, and their journey and hardships. I tend to ignore them and said “What labot me imo rana kinabuhi”. I can say that because I’m bombarded of many things and I tend to be self-centered. But as I finished reading the materials my eyes was opened and  I’ve realized that I must deny myself and follow Christ and tell others of what He has done on the cross and share the faith that I have received from Him. One way that I can help myself so that I will not easily get bored of reading is to write down all those information that would help me to understand and learn more and during class discussion I will take notes and listen to all reporters in front and pay attention to them. I will also continue in what I have learned and firmly I will believe that church history is God’s story of redemption and salvation for his people whether Jews or Gentiles. I believe that the Bible the written scriptures will help me able to discover more things that I don’t know before and I will study it as my daily spiritual food. In Matt. 28:19-20 that talks about the great commission, hopefully this year 2015 I can make disciples, maybe not in all nations, but in small groups of youth in my home town.  I pray that i can make a great impact in their lives by teaching them how to obey God and study the history of the church. As I move forward looking for Jesus the author of my faith, I will share what I have learned about Him, and I will tell others about what he has done on the cross, the salvation that He offered. I will share to my close family including my relatives, neighbors, friends, school mates in my elementary and high school days, and to my co-workers in Leyte and this coming December 21 during the birthday of my beloved mother, I will share the gospel, the good news that Jesus was born, died, resurrected, and will come back again. I will share the acronym of the CHURCH. Christ is the only way to heaven. He humbled himself and become obedient to his Father and died on the cross for you and for me. He understands your life and situation, and through his own blood He redeems you with his precious blood, so you could come through his name Jesus because He can, healed your pain and diseases.