The Church has been through many Reformation. Some of them have been good, some of them have been bad. In 30-100 A.D., the Church was as Christ had intended. This period often was called The Early Church, The Church of Acts, and The Church of the Apostles. During this time theology, doxology, soteriology, and Christology was clear. The Disciples learned from Jesus Christ, and when He ascended, they continue to spread the Gospel as Jesus as instructed (Matthew 28:19). The Church reached a crisis point, where Rome was going to confiscate all Christian land and property, because the Jews had decided to stop considered Christians a sect of Judaism. In response to this, the Apostles told the entire Church to sell all their belongs and put it into one pot to maintain a community (Acts). During this period the Disciples helped established a hierarchy of leadership: Apostles and Elders, the Apostles would be busy teaching, and Elders would see to practical needs. Then came Saul, who was the persecutor of Christians turned Christian and taking the name Paul would spread Christianity to the Gentiles, particularly in Arabia, Greece, and Rome. All of this is recorded in New Testament Gospels and Epistles, ending with the Apocalypse, The Revelation of John. Then came Apostolic Fathers, who were believed to be the disciples of the Disciples (although this isn't proven, and in fact it is believed its a farce), The Apostolic Fathers introduced a variety of heresies and strange ideas like baptism to achieve salvation (violates Romans 10:9-10), martyrdom assures salvation (the proto-Crusade), and many more. In 312 A.D. Constantine The Great, a Roman Emperor, became a Christian after seeing the sign of cross and words "In Hoc Sig natius: in this sign you will conquer." Constantine promised to become Christian and relax the persecution of Church if he won the battle, he did and more heresies and even distorted Christianities were born, with Constantine merging his pagan god Sol Invictus (sun god) with Jesu Son of God to please his pagan subjects. Constantine then created hierarchal and building (institutional Church) we know to day, separating the church into classes ecclesia and laity (priests and secular members) when the Apostles said, "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light," (1 Peter 2:9), "we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory," (Romans 8:17), and "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). Constantine put the church in buildings, building a new Temple (St. Peter's and Hagia Sophia in east), when the Apostles said, "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?," (1 Corinthians 3:16), "But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast," (Hebrews 3:6), and "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, and you are that temple," (1 Corinthians 3:17), "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building," (1 Corinthians 3:9), "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one--as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me," (John 17:20-21), and "As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father." (1 John 2:24). At this point the Church was mess, and every sect was bickering over theology and doxology, and Constantine did the one good thing he will be remembered for, he called a council to get consensus on Christian faith, salvation (soteriology), Christology (who is Christ), doxology (doctrines), and more. This the Councils that reformed the Church:
First Council of Nicaea (325)
The First Reformation: The Councils
Right Belief versus The Heresies
The First Reformation was to respond to a plethora of heretical sects of Christianity. From 100-323 A.D., the Church descended into a madness of cults: Nestorianism (all that is seen is evil, all that is unseen is good), Arianism, Copticism (believes Jesus is only a prophet), Originism (believes the Father part of Trinity is most important), Gnosticism (secrets, mysteries, proto-Free Masons), and many other strange beliefs such as you had to be baptized before you die to be saved or be martyred to be sure of salvation. Gone was simple Gospel (John 6:40, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10) preached by the Apostles, and in its place a labyrinth and tares. Some believe that these heretical Christianities were already popping up and were the ones addressed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to Galatians, and the first three chapters of Revelation. True Christianity survived this hodgepodge of confusion, but it wasn't until the Councils of Nicea, Chalcedon, and blank did Christian theology, doxology, soteriology, and Christology began to shift back to the original doctrines of the apostles. This Reformation is called The Councils, and during this period believers began to look at what a Christian believes, who Christ is, and everything pertaining to Christian life in detail, and making dogmas. The problem however, was that Constantine the Great oversaw the Council of Nicea, and he was less than devout, he tried to merge Sol Invictus (sun god) with the Son of God to please his pagan people, and he overtook the Church, teaching them to once again make a building that God never wanted even in Israelites day (2 Samiel 7, 1 Chronciles).
The Second Reformation: Roman Catholicism
Trinitarianism Defined
The Councils prevailed, but they lapsed in some clear doctrine. By the time of 600 A.D., the Church was splitting into two rites: The Byzantine (Eastern) and the Roman (Catholic) Rites. The Byzantiens spoke in Greek, while the Romans spoke in Latin. This difference in language would cause a Great Schism in 1054 A.D. In Europe, the Bishop of Rome (first among equals) was gaining considerable sway over other churches in Europe and Asia, resulting in the inevitable elevation of this post to Pope. The Pope exercised spiritual power over the faithful of Europe as Vicar of Christ, a title to denote that he was appointed from long succession back to the Apostle Peter. This did not sit well with the Eastern Church which did not have separation of church and state, the Emperor of Byzantium was guardian of Church with a sword and priestly staff, he appointed bishops, priests, and lead armies. In Europe a separation had taken place, the Papacy by converting the Franks, was able to ensure its own independence from the rule of monarch, and even asserted itself to point of appointing and coronating monarchs, as was in case of Charlemagne. This lead the Roman Church to increasingly assert its power, tell at one point it ruled Europe with a cross and cruciform sword. The major breach between east and western church was the Filoque, and addition to the Council of Nicea Creed that says, "The Holy Spirit proceeds from Father," to adding "The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and Son," from which the Roman Church was devising Trinitarian Theology which actually is supported by The Scriptures, "Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground," (Genesis 1:27), "After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy," (Matthew 3:16-17), "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father--he will testify about me," (John 15:26), "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19), "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily," (Colossians 2:9), "For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ," Colossians 1:19), and "I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:1-2). In this way the Roman Church broke away from Byzantine Church, formerly in 1054 A.D. by giving Bishop of Constantinople and the Hagia Sophia a Bull of Excommunication, and began to forage into a new frontier of faith, which would actually maintain some of heresies of the 100-323 A.D. churches and add new ones like the Redemmatrix Mary, Perpetual Virginity of Mary, The Cult of the Saints, Sacraments, Pennace, and even Indulgences (papers you paid for to get salvation or forgivness). Thus the Roman Church did reform theology, returning to Scriptures regarding God, but its additions of strange doctrines regarding the Virgin Mary, Crusades, and Indulgences would lead to another reformation.
The Third Reformation: Protestantism
Scripture Returns
In the 17th century, a monk named Martin Luther nailed a 95 Thesis to the door of church in Wittenberg on October 31st. Little did this Catholic Monk know, that this nail would be for the coffin of Catholic Power and Dominion over the minds and hearts of Europe. Reforming sensibilities and prot0-reformers like Jan Hus had already been at work, but they were often burned at stake, and were unable to make their case. Luther was different, he was eloquent, literate, and had a talent to write profusely (in one year he translated the New Testament from Coine Greek to German). While Wittenberg surged with Reformation fever, in Swedan another reformer by name of Zwingli joined in, another man in Geneva by name of John Calvin would make his mark too. But it was Luther who spread the Reformation, the Nuremberg Press was able to copy his theses and other ideas, and circulare them ot masses, which now unlike Middle Ages were literate. The Protestant Reformation began as war against the practice of Indulgences, which were papers the Roman Church sold to people ranging from salvation to froveiness for dead ancestors. Luther during a pilgrimage saw these first hand and became disillusioned until he attended Theological school and read the Gospels and Epistles for himself, to which he found freedom in Romans, that salvation did not depend on Him, but Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:10-12, John 6:40). The Protestant Reformation Broke out into several strains, Lutheranism in Germany, Anglicanism in England, Baptist or Anabapist in France, and Presybertain in Scotland. Each of these sects of Protestantism varied on detaisl like the Eucharist and Transubstantiation, or wither free will or selection was involved in salvation, but on one thing they all agreed, Roman Catholicism was the enemy and they must reform or die. In a miraculous turn of even, Martin Luther and Lutheran or Ausburg Confession was approved by the Emperor, and the Reformation spread like fire across Europe. But this return to Sources, to Scripture and breaking from Rome and its idolatries did not come without bloodshed, the Peasent's Revolt ended in blank deaths, the Thirty's Years War saw Catholics and Protestants at war, and finally the Reformation ended on 1625 A.D. The major contribution of the Protestant Reformation was return to the Scriptures, Solae Scriptura for authority, doctrine, theology, Christology, and all that is essential to Christian life. This was summed up in the Five Solae: By Grace Alone (Solae Gracias), Through Faith Alone (Solae Fidei), in Christ Alone (Solus Christius), and Glory Be To God Alone (Solae del Gloria).
The Four Reformation: Pentecostalism and The Charismata
The Spirit Returns
The Protestant Reformation had gotten the Holy Bible back into the hands of lay people, and transformed the European spirituality. But as people began to read Scripture for themselves, they discovered the Book of Acts, and how in Chapter 2 the Apostles received a Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or Baptism of Fire, which gave them tounges and other gifts found in 1 Corithnains 12:4-11. The Protestant Reformation had returned the Scriptures to the saints, the Charismatic Renewal returned the Holy Spirit to the Church. Suddenly members of Charismatic meetings were speaking in unknown languages, prophesizing, and healing the sick. A proto-Charismatic group had been the Hugenots who were slaughtered in St. Barthlowemew Massacre. The Charismatic Movement received its name from word Charisma, a negative term that may have came from Baptists who asserted that the Gifts of Holy Spirit were only for the Apostles. The Charismatic disagreed, and proved it with Scripture. This reformation did not have bloodshed, but like previous reformations, some errors crept in like the Agnus Sanford (New Age), the Slain in Spirit, Holy Laughter, Birthing A Miracle, and many other strange phenomenon not listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 or any of the Epistles. This reform restored the presence of Holy Spirit to the people, and was part of The First Great Awakening, The Second Great Awakening, and The Jesus Movement of the 1970's. The Charismata's major flaw in hindsight would be dependence on feeling God's presence and hearing directly from God. The Scriptures became less emphasized compared to hearing a Rhama word from the Lord, and testing the spirits as John said, to see if they from God wasn't practiced (1 John 4:1-3, share verse).
The Fifth Reformation: Evangelism
Solae Scriptura meets Spiritus Sancti
The Charismatic Movement divided lines in Church. Christians were either Scripture focused like the Baptists who didn't believe in movement of spirit, or they were Charismatic and often not heeding the Scriptures. To answer these extremes, another movement appeared called Evangelicism, which endeavored to bridge between Solae Scriptrua and the Charismata, so that believers wouldn't have to choose between God's Spirit and God's Scriptures, since the Apostles acclaimed both (1 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 John 4:1-3, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Acts 8:17). Evangelicalism became the middle ground path for Christians, and it flourished well into the mid 2000's. At long last the Spirit was in sanctuary and Scriptures were preached. However, as with each reformation a negative stream or side bars were invented that lead to non-Scriptural traditions. The Evangical Movement got majorly involved in the "Seeker Friendly Movement" which dumbed down Scripture and tried to create an atmosphere for secular people, so they would attend church, but the result was a loss of clarity of doctrine, theology, and positions on social issues. Part of the driving force behind the Seeker Friendly Movement was the "Mega Church Scheme" which was a goal to fill gian stadium like buildings (churches) with as much people as possible, a good example of successful mega church leader is Joel Osteen. This push for numbers, rather than authenticity would lead to pyramid schemes and branding churches that remind you of Nike and Apple, an example being Elevation Church. The Evangelical Movement had started as balance between Solae Scriptura and the Charismata, but overtime it became consumed by Mega Church quotas and Seeker Friendly/branding tactics that secular CEOs taught pastors. The Church went from being community to selling a product, not too dissimilar to what Martin Luther protested, where the Roman Catholic church was selling product called Indulgences, instead of being Community of Christ on earth.
The Sixth Reformation: The Last Days Reformation
The End of the Building, Clergy, and Cults
With each subsequent Reformation, a piece of the original Church was added. Through the Councils Reformation Orthodox Christian faith was established and the heresies routed. With the Catholic Reformation the Trinity was restored to its biblical theology. With the Protestant Reformation the Holy Bible was placed back in hands and hearts of men. In the Charismatic Reformation the Spirit of God descended once more and could be felt. Because of Evangelical Reformation Scripture and Spirit were permitted to be together. But all of these reformations had not completed the work. There is still a final reformation that must take place. This Last Day's Reformation will bring the Church full circle. It will contain all improvements of previous Reformations, but it will purge the yet remaining pieces and problems that each Reformation contained, in particular the errors. The most notable change that will have to be made is the Building. To this day churches believe they need a building, but the Lord God said he didn't ever want one, "But that same night the Lord said to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? 6 I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. 7 Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’ Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! 12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. 15 But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. 16 Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever," (2 Samuel 7:4-7,11-16 ), "But that same night God said to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in. 5 I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. My home has always been a tent, moving from one place to another in a Tabernacle. 6 Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s leaders, the shepherds of my people. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’ “‘Furthermore, I declare that the Lord will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings! 11 For when you die and join your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong. 12 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for me. And I will secure his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my favor from him as I took it from the one who ruled before you. 14 I will confirm him as king over my house and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever." (1 Chronicles 17:3-6, ), "Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him," (Matthew17:3-6), but rather the Lord wants us to be His temple, all Trinitarian Christians, ""Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?," (1 Corinthians 3:16), "But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast," (Hebrews 3:6), and "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, and you are that temple," (1 Corinthians 3:17), "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building," (1 Corinthians 3:9), "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one--as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me," (John 17:20-21), and "As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father." (1 John 2:24). Jesus Christ tore the veil of Temple with His death, "When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit, At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split." (Matthew 27;50-51). The barrier between us and God was broken by the Jesus who is God (Colossians 2:9) death for us. We now can enter holy of holies, and God's throne room, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus," (Hebrews 10:19), "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most," (Hebrews 4:16), "for the Law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God," (Hebrews 7:15), "In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence," (Ephesians 3:12), "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God," (Romans 5:1-2). In Acts the Church had no temple, and lived in a community, sharing everything (Acts 2:44, Acts 4:32). The Building was erected by the heretical churches of 100-323 A.D. and was rebuilt by Constantine The Great (hmm.. just like Herod The Great), "" (Eusebius Quote). In addition, this reformation will remove the class system of clergy and laity made by Constantine, for the Scriptures say, "Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.[9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted," (Matthew 23:7-12), "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light," (1 Peter 2:9), and "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers, Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11) these are gifts not offices or positions, just as there gifts of Spirit (2 Corinthians 12:4-11).
The stage, trellis, and holy of holies erected by priests, and pastors must be destroyed, for Jesus tore the viel (Matthew 27:50-51) and we may enter into holy of holeis (Hebrews 4:12), and enter boldly into God's throne (Hebrews 4:16). Every malignant piece of cancer and cultism left over from each former reformation will be eliminated, for Jesus Christ will be Returning, and the Church must return to her first state, "But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! (Matthew 22:36-41). 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches," and "15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame.," (Revelation 16:15 AMP). In order for this to happen in affluent places like America, a major economic crash will be required, just as David Wilkerson as predicted. This crash will make it so that all buildings not necessary be sold and left empty. It will force those who fear leaving their temples that give them pride of lfie, "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." (1 John 2;16). A major component in making this Reformation work will be the Antichrist, whose persecution of saints will force them inward, to seek Christ inside themselves, and since the antichrist will own everything (Revelation 13:9), that will include the Church buildings. Finally, when Jesus Christ Returns the buldings and catherals will be destroyed, "But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment," (2 Peter 3:10), and "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone." (Revelation 21:1).
The Final Reformation is going to happen. From it Christ will purify the Church for his return, "" (be spiritually prepared Rev, not naked). Through this reformation, our Redeemer is going to destroy all crazy cults, branding, seek friendly marketing, Constantine hold overs, and distorted ideas of men which as merely human traditions (Mark 7:7). The major agent of Christ's cleansing will ironically be the Antichrist himself (Revelation 13:7), whose persecution of the Church will force the Church to return to Christ Alone (Phillippians 3:8-15) and stop practicing neo-Pharisee traditions. The war of Man of Sin on God's people will push the Church to a purity of faith that has been lost (2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 11-15). It will be in these last days that Church will have to finish the reformation, and return to its first love (Revelation 24-5) and cease meeting in buildings and doing Constantininian and worldly ideas (James 4:4). I believe the only way the Christian brothers and sisters will leave the church buildings is when Antichrist forces them to by persecution the church, shutting down church buildings, and forcing Church of Christ around world to meet in homes again (Acts 4 and 5). It will be trying to survive, and keep the Church alive (Revelation 14:12) that will force believers to cut the umbilical cord attached to the building God never wanted, and for them to remember every true believing Christ is a temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Antichrist will force the Church to lead the Constantine model that is still in every church with tis holy of holies, stage, and separation of clergy and laity, when the Apostles said, Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus," (Hebrews 10:19), "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most," (Hebrews 4:16), "for the Law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God," (Hebrews 7:15), "In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence," (Ephesians 3:12), "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God," (Romans 5:1-2). So do not despair, the Final Reformation will end Constantine's hold on church, His coffin will get final nail it needs to destroy the corruptions of the Church forever. Ironically it will take the Antichrist to push the church back to its roots in Acts and rest of New Testament, to get the Church back to pure and simple faith (2 Corinthians 11:2-3). So let us prepare ourselves for Great Persecution and Tribulation, but let us be glad, it shall bring many of our brothers and sisters in Christ out of Constantine's perversions once and for all,
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