EASTERN THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE &

SEMINARY

New Delhi-110096

AN ASSIGNMENT ON PRESENT CHURCH AND HER

GAINING AND FAILURE

(A SPECIAL FOCUS ON PENTECOSTAL CHURCH)

SUBMITTED TO

SIR. SAMUEL THOMAS

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT

FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY

SUBJECT

MODERN CHURCH HISTORY

SUBMITTED BY

BRO. JOSHUA, S. JOSHUA

B.TH IIND YEAR

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 PRESENT CHURCH AND HER GAINING AND
FAILURE

(A SPECIAL FOCUS ON PENTECOSTAL CHURCH)

INTRODUCTION:

The word Church in Gk. Ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) means “"assembly,

congregation, council" and to denote both a Christian association of people

and a place of worship. The term means something quite different for each

religious institution that sees itself as belonging to the Christian traditions.

Twenty centuries past everywhere group of people whom gathering under

one roof to worship the living God that is call church. When Apostle Paul

writing to Timothy in his first letter “in case I am delayed, to let you know

how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because

it is the church of the living God…” (I Tim. 3:15). The Church, which is

living that, has the present work in this world. In that, there are several

nominal churches today. Centuries passed, and the growth of the

Christianity and the Churches are innumerous around the world. It is

general believe that the India alone have two percent of Christians in past

years. As well as Christians grows the churches grows along with new

doctrines. The present churches are assuming their own doctrines. The

Church of living God at present date it become modern culture center. It is

very pathetic to say once people gathered for worship and have fellowship

with one anther but today is gathering only for membership. Once its

growth through the gospel work and prayer but there is no new believer

growth by new generation. We are unable to say what is the problem of

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today’s churches and its growth is it not the church head office are not

allowing or the person one who ministering in the church is lazy.

Church is not an organization but it is a living building every stone

that lay on one anther. However, many today representing churches are

remaining as big building and stones not hold their life. For it quench the

fire or spirit which in it. Once the church was illuminated by spirit and

brings many to Christ. It directed everyone and enabled every person to

work according to His will.

As our topic, a special focus on the Pentecostal churches. Mostly public

call Pentecost people as protestant group, there are many protestant

groups hold new doctrines. However, the identity of the Pentecostal

church is which fully based and founded on the apostolic doctrines (Acts.

2:38-42). Which means the Church always led by Holy Spirit, for the

meaning Pentecost in New Testament; we consider the dissension of Holy

Spirit who send by the Father “And I will ask the Father, and He will give

you another Counselor to be with you forever –“ (Jh.14:16). The work of

the Pentecostal still exists. Off course, we could boldly say that the growth

today the churches have only through the Pentecostal people, who still

based on the doctrine of the apostles. At present date, we could see the

growth of the churches all over the world, especially in North India.

Today existing churches and the revivals in Christianity are the work of

which the Pentecostal people did in the past years in India. Then still the

Harvest is plenty, why? Let see what is the present churches gaining and

the failure area of it.

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GAINING

The gaining of the church in the sense the status of the church at present

world. The term “Gaining” is very appropriate use for it success. Today

many churches are working very actually the work was very progressive.

The people who having the spirit of courage to do the work are success in

their church ministry. The man one how filled with spirit and having the

burden are succeed in their ministry and it is continuing. Using different

ideas, making planning to share the gospel and planting the churches.

Their work will never stop whatever problem and toils they may face, for

they understand that the filed which they trying to swore the seed is hard

and putting full effort to make as good land. Quotes like this “No Pain,

No Gain”, the Pentecostal people understand it very well so they are

working for the gain not care the pain. Moving every side of the people’s

life to bring them to the church as well as in every area of the government

officials to strengthen themselves to go forward. The growth of the church

is depending on the person one working for it. The more hard work the

more growth in the church. The twenty-first centuries churches are today

well known by government were as once it was not known in the same

village, area and to the next streets. We can say the zeal of work which

Pentecostal people had that made an identity in this world. The other

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denominations are working widely through social works, making schools,

hospitals, orphanage, charity work etc., under the name of their

organization, but that have no mean with church growth. One thing I

notice in the growth of Christianity is that other religious leaders are

started to awake to protect their religion for the work’s of Spirit filled

people made afraid about us. That is what Christian people are facing

persecution all over the world especially in India. Persecution also

consider as a gaining of the church for it foundation become more stronger

than before. Today where the people worked have brought forth many

good fruits for the church as well as their believer’s community.

FAILURE

We need to understand the failure of today’s church. Today’s churches

covering their failure by reasons. We need not to hesitate to do work for a

non-believer, for it gives more fruit. Plans are not be well made for church

growth but for the charity work and social services. The Church of God

should be always lightening for the world, like flame (Phil.2:15b). Lack of

good strategy church movement is not taking place in the present date.

For the movement there will be negative but there is positive in Christ for

growth. Like the seasons winter and summer Pentecostal churches also

having meeting twice in a year, yet the growth of church is hardly 20-30%.

I want to identify another reason of un-growth or failure of present

churches. Today representing shepherds of the church are want to make

their own kingdom, because of the doctrine yet have no good strategy. I

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consider that doctrine have no problem with movement of the churches to

work at beginning. The progressive churches are growing rapidly but the

remaining churches are still in same condition as in earlier. Today’s well-

founded church, which exists, is fruits of the missionaries and great

contribution of their life and their very active work. However, today it is

simply standing, as a church building it is very sad to know that it have no

life and active in work. In addition, some churches are having the same

work, which they have before ten years; there is no change at all. The

reason is still difficult to find out. We unable to conclude these failure

churches. Nevertheless, either the reason may the person one who

appointed there is not working or the head office put a limit to work on

them. The Pentecostalism started in India around 19th century, the work is

still exists today revival are taking place where we find these kind of zeal

people. But, working people are few in number but everywhere in

success. For they covering their failures under the reasons, book of

revelation says (Rev.3:14-19) "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of

God's creation. V.15 - I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other! V.16 - So, because you are

lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

V.17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.

'But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and

naked. V.18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you

can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your

shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. V.19

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Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. It is

good for the churches to wake up for the asleep, find out the reasons, and

makes every failure as steps towards victory.

CONCLUSION:

The present churches are having their own doctrine and dominion over

their members. If it continue, there will be no more revival in Christianity.

Thank God, for few people who is having the zeal of work and burden of

the dieing souls and churches. As in the 21st century, the modern Christian

world does not know the present condition of their church. Today’s

young people like us if they really understand the condition and the truth

of the Church of God’s positions in this world they also will stand with the

few who are already toiling for it. The Church should be church not

simply a gathering. For the growth and success, there is need of joining

hands, to see movement in present days as in book of Acts. Unity in one

motto, unity in zeal, and unity in work this brings the great change in

every church. Having one identity in this world CHRISTIAN as a

community then why does not in practical work. If any problem we

Christians face from other community we found ourselves in one flat form,

why do not in the churches for the good fruits. Let the people know what

kind of unity we have, than I hope we could complete the commission of

our master throughout our life.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bible Verse from NIV