LRC, Houston - the weekends-free church in Houston, Texas

There’s no magical date that could set, so let’s use the year 100CE. About 70 years after waiting, and waiting for Jesus to return and nothing happening, the people were getting discouraged. Most had died and it was now up to a second and third generations to try and keep the embers of His return burning. This was not an easy thing to do. You can only offer so many excuses for so long you know! Various communities were beginning to give up and think Jesus would not return. And diversity of thoughts and ideas was becoming more numerous. What’s to be done?

OUT with the Imminent Return paradigm and IN with the “Mediated Holding Pattern”. What’s this?

For at least a 100 years and maybe as man as 225, (let’s say from 100 to 325CE), the church stepped in to try and “get control” of this. Those with a historical background know that until the Nicene Council (325) it was a “dogfight” (can you say Michael Vick?) for who would LEAD those that called themselves Christian.

And the church that Jesus did not come to start!

During this time frame several philosophical changes too place of which the greatest one was, since Jesus isn’t returning right away, there must be a reason. And guess what answer the church came up with?

Yep, it’s you baby! Quit SINNING!

Jesus is being held “up there” in the heavens UNTIL we quit sinning. Oh, now that’s gonna be a long, long time. But, in the meantime, this new entity called the church would mediate things for us. Thus the introduction of the formalized
belief system, sacraments, and ruling hierarchy.

Let the list of things we must do to “qualify for heaven” begin!

And to this day- they did not end!

You’ve heard the expression. Once the government or a church starts something, it has no end!

PS. Can We Trust The New Testament? CLICK HERE