THE GREATEST AWAKENINGIS / REVIVAL

THE GREATEST AWAKENINGIS 

 Since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost there havebeen many great awakenings or revivals in many parts of the world.Revival is defined as “God pouring Himself out on His people”. Modern theologians have identified ten of the greatest revivals. They are: 
(1) The 1904 Revival, Beginning in Wales Evan Roberts, Korea, 
      Moravian, Azusa Street. 
(2) The First Great Awakening,1727-1750 Zinzendorf, Wesley, 
      Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards. 
(3) The Second Great Awakening 1780-1810 Cane Ridge. 
(4) The General Awakening 1830-1840 Charles Finney, Hawaii, Jamaica. 
(5) The Layman’s Revival 1857-1861 Phoebe Palmer, Lanphier, D. L. Moody. 
(6) The World War II Revival 1935-1950 Billy Graham, 
      Duncan Campbell, New Zealand. 
(7) The Baby Boomer Revival 1965-1970 The Jesus People, 
      The Prairie Revival, Asbury. 
(8) The Reformation, 1517 Martin Luther, John Calvin, Zwingli, Knox. 
(9) The Pre-Reformation Revival 1300-1500 Lollards, Wycliffe, Hus, Savonarola. (10) the revival that birthed the Christian Church at Pentecost 30 A.D.
       
WHY DO WE NEED REVIVAL? 
                We must have revival or we will perish! One only needs to survey the Old Testament to find out what God does when God gives revelation to people and they reject Him, despise His Word, scoff at His messengers, and refuse to repent. The inevitable result is divine doom and devastating destruction. 
               We must have revival. And yet, we fully embrace the biblical theme that pervades all of Scripture, namely, the absolute sovereignty of God. God alone revives His people. God alone regenerates the rebellious. 
              Revival is primarily a work of God the Spirit. So, as we look around us in our 21st century society, we know that God alone is the One who can bring revival and yet we still must ask, ‘why do we need revival?’ To answer this, I’ll provide a handful of reasons. 
1. For the sake of GOD. We earnestly seek a revival first and foremost for the sake of our God. That means we long for God’s name to be displayed most magnificently and supremely. We want His fame to spread across communities, and cities and countries! We long for nations to worship the one, true and living God! We long for revival so that God receives the glory in reviving His people and regenerating the wayward. 
2. For the sake of the CHURCH.Second, we need a revival for the sake of Christ’s church. To revive something, by definition, means that there is some measure of life that existed previously. 
              For God to revive us means that we are alive spiritually. Thus, a true revival is when God promotes holiness and a zeal for His glory that permeates the hearts of God’s people and propels them to live in holiness and fervent prayer married together with fervent evangelism. We long for God’s Spirit to rekindle the love for Christ and revive us by His Word! 
               3. For the sake of the LOST.Third, we desperately need revival for the sake of the lost. Millions around us are perishing! Unless God sovereignly saves sinners, they are all headed to everlasting burnings in hellfire under the almighty and unresting wrath of God. We need revival and we beg for revival so that the mighty working of God may shine forth and that the unstoppable power of God may be manifested in the saving of souls! We hunger for revival because we have an intolerable burden for perishing sinners all around us! 
                4. For the sake of the GOSPEL.Fourth, we need revival and we pray earnestly for it for the sake of the gospel. God has so put it in our hearts to see the the power of the gospel’s message demonstrated! Indeed, it is the gospel message that is the power of God! It is the power of this message to save. And we want this good news to travel far and wide and to convict men of sin and to bring them to deep repentance. And we long for this good news to show them Christ’s remedy and the absolute freeness of divine grace through repentance and faith. 5. For the sake of ETERNITY.
                      Finally, we desperately need revival because eternity is right around the corner. It’s near! Eternity is soon coming! We thirst for souls to be won to the kingdom in droves and to escape hellfire! Every living person will live eternally in either the bliss of heaven enjoying the beauty of Christ forevermore or the punishment of hell suffering under the unbridled wrath of God! May the Lord stir us to pray much and tirelessly, persistently and biblically, trusting that God will save His elect. So may we evangelize and pursue the lost so they may be won to Christ for all eternity! 

We need Personal Revival 

We need Revival in the Home 

We need Revival in the Church 

We need Revival in the Community 

We need Revival in the Country 

We need Revival on the Continent and World It is time for Revival. 

The time is right. Are you ready?

The Ancient City , Name & The Current Location

The Ancient Country or People Vs The Current Name or Region

Ammon, Moab and Edom = ( Jordan ) 

Arabia =( Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and some of Iraq and Jordan) 

Aram = ( Syria) 

Assyria = ( Iraq) 

Canaan= (Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon)

 Cush =(Ethiopia and some of Sudan, Somalia and 

Yemen Decapolis =(Northwestern Jordan and a small part of Israel)

 Dedan and Sheba =(Saudi Arabia) 

Gomer=( Ukraine) 

Magog, =(Rus and Rosh Russia) 

Meshech and Tubal = (Turkey) 

Midian =(Western Saudi Arabia and Southern Jordan) 

Mizraim =(Egypt) 

Philistia = (Palestine) 

Phoenicia = (Lebanon) 

Persia =(Iran and some of Iraq) 

Phut/Put =( Libya and some of Egypt and North Africa) 

Scythia =(Southern Russia) 

Togarmah =(Parts of Turkey, Turkomen, Turkestan and Armenia) 

Tarshish =(Carthage (and possibly even Great Britain) 

 The Ancient City The Current Location 

Alexandria =Mediterranean coast of Egypt 

Antioch =Northwest Syria (Coastal) - present day "Hatay"

 Athens, Berea, Corinth, Philippi and Thessalonica =Greece 

Babylon = Iraq 

Cyrene =Northwest Libya 

Damascus =Syria 

Ephesus, Pergamum and Smyrna =Western 

Turkey Haran and Padan-aram =Eastern 

Syria Iconium and Lystra =Central Turkey 

Shinar = Iraq - Ancient Babel and present day "Babylon" 

Sidon and Tyre =Western  

Lebanon (Coastal) Tarsus = Eastern Turkey 

Ur = Southeastern Iraq)

|| Reject the Trinity ( 9 Faith Groups ) ||

1//-Mormonism - Latter-day Saints  
(By: Joseph Smith, Jr., 1830)
Mormons believe that God has a physical, flesh and bones, eternal, perfect body. Men have the potential to become gods as well. Jesus is God's literal son, a separate being from God the Father and the "elder brother" of men. The Holy Spirit is also a separate being from God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is regarded as an impersonal power or spirit being. These three separate beings are "one" only in their purpose, and they make up the Godhead. 

2//-Jehovah's Witnesses  
(Founded By:Charles Taze Russell1879.)
(Succeeded byJoseph F.Rutherford, 1917.) 
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God is one person, Jehovah. Jesus was Jehovah's first creation. Jesus is not God, nor part of the Godhead. He is higher than the angels but inferior to God. Jehovah used Jesus to create the rest of the universe. Before Jesus came to earth, he was known as the archangel Michael. The Holy Spirit is an impersonal force from Jehovah, but not God. 

3//-Christian Science  
(Founded By: Mary Baker Eddy, 1879.) Christian Scientists believe the Trinity is life, truth, and love. As an impersonal principle, God is the only thing that truly exists. Everything else (matter) is an illusion. Jesus, though not God, is the Son of God. He was the promised Messiah but was not a deity. The Holy Spirit is divine science in the teachings of Christian Science. 

4//-Armstrongism 
  (Philadelphia Church of God, Global Church of God, United Church of God) Founded By: Herbert W. Armstrong, 1934.) Traditional Armstrongism denies a Trinity, defining God as "a family of individuals." Original teachings say Jesus did not have a physical resurrection and the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force. 

5//-Christadelphians Founded  
(By: Dr. John Thomas, 1864.) Christadelphians believe God is one indivisible unity, not three distinct persons existing in one God. They deny the divinity of Jesus, believing he is fully human and separate from God. They do not believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, but merely a force—the "unseen power" from God.

6//-Oneness Pentecostals Founded  
(By: Frank Ewart, 1913.) Oneness Pentecostals believe that there is one God and God is one. Throughout time God manifested himself in three ways or "forms" (not persons), as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Oneness Pentecostals take issue with the Trinity doctrine chiefly for its use of the term "person." They believe God cannot be three distinct persons, but only one being who has revealed himself in three different modes. It is important to note that Oneness Pentecostals do affirm the deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

7//- Unification Church Founded  
(By: Sun Myung Moon, 1954.) Unification adherents believe that God is positive and negative, male and female. The universe is God's body, made by him. Jesus was not God, but a man. He did not experience a physical resurrection. In fact, his mission on earth failed and will be fulfilled through Sun Myung Moon, who is greater than Jesus. The Holy Spirit is feminine in nature. She collaborates with Jesus in the spirit realm to draw people to Sun Myung Moon.

 8//-Unity School of Christianity Founded By:  
(Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, 1889). Similar to Christian Science, Unity adherents believe God is an unseen, impersonal principle, not a person. God is a force within everyone and everything. Jesus was only a man, not the Christ. He merely realized his spiritual identity as the Christ by practicing his potential for perfection. This is something all men can achieve. Jesus did not resurrect from the dead, but rather, he reincarnated. The Holy Spirit is the active expression of God's law. Only the spirit part of us is real; matter is not real.  

9//-Scientology -
  By: L. Ron Hubbard, 1954. Scientology defines God as Dynamic Infinity. Jesus is not God, Savior, or Creator, nor does he have control of supernatural powers. He is usually overlooked in Dianetics. The Holy Spirit is absent from this belief system as well. Men are "thetan" - immortal, spiritual beings with limitless capabilities and powers, though often they are unaware of this potential. Scientology teaches men how to achieve "higher states of awareness and ability" through practicing Dianetics. 
Sources: • Kenneth Boa. Cults, World Religions and the Occult. 
• Rose Publishing.Christianity, Cults & Religions (Chart). 
• Cross, F. L. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford University Press. 2005. 
• Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry. Trinity Chart. https://carm.org/trinity

|| Methodist Church History ||

Methodist Co-Founders:
                    Charles and John Wesley John Wesley (June 28, 1703 - February 24, 1791) and his brother Charles were born into a strong Anglican home. His father, Samuel, was a priest, and his mother, Susanna, was a religion teacher who faithfully taught the Bible to her 19 children. 
                  While studying at Oxford University in England, John, Charles, and several other students formed a Christian group devoted to Bible study, prayer, and helping the underprivileged. They were labeled "Methodists" as a term of criticism from fellow students because of the orderly way they used rules and methods to go about their religious affairs. 
                   But the group happily embraced the name as a badge of honor. The beginning of Methodism as a popular revival movement began in 1738. After returning to England from America, Wesley was bitter, disillusioned and spiritually low. He shared his inner struggles with a Moravian, Peter Boehler, who greatly influenced John and his brother Charles to undertake evangelistic preaching with an emphasis on conversion and holiness. 
                     Although both Wesley brothers were ordained ministers of the Church of England, they were barred from speaking in most of its pulpits because of their evangelistic methods. They preached in homes, farmhouses, barns, open fields, and wherever they found an audience. 
The Influence of George Whitefield on Methodism ---||
                 Around this time, Wesley was invited to join the evangelism ministry of George Whitefield (1714-1770), a fellow preacher and minister in the Church of England.Whitefield, also one of the initial leaders of the Methodist movement, is believed by some to have had more of an influence on the founding of Methodism than John Wesley.
                Whitefield, famous for his part in the Great Awakening movement in America, also preached outdoors, something unheard of at the time. But as a follower of John Calvin, Whitefield parted ways with Wesley over the doctrine of predestination. 
Methodism in America ------|| 
                  The Methodist Church prospered on its own for the next 29 years, as did the newly reunited Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1968, bishops of the two churches took the necessary steps to combine their churches into what has become the second largest Protestant denomination in America, The United Methodist Church. Today, the total number of Methodists in the world is estimated to be more than 75 million. Sources • "John Wesley." Who’s Who in Christian history (p. 710)

|| Seventh-day Adventist ||

• Baptism - Baptism requires repentance and a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It symbolizes forgiveness of sins and reception of the Holy Spirit. Adventists baptize by immersion. 
• Bible - Adventists see Scripture as divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, the "infallible revelation" of God's will. The Bible contains the knowledge necessary for salvation. 
• Communion - The Adventist communion service includes foot washing as a symbol of humility, ongoing inner cleansing, and service to others. The Lord's Supper is open to all Christian believers. 
• Death - Unlike most other Christian denominations, Adventists hold that the dead do not go directly to heaven or hell but enter a period of "soul sleep," in which they are unconscious until their resurrection and final judgment. 
• Diet - As "temples of the Holy Spirit," Seventh-day Adventists are encouraged to eat the healthiest diet possible, and many members are vegetarians. They are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, using tobacco, or taking illegal drugs. 
• Equality - There is no racial discrimination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Women cannot be ordained as pastors, although the debate continues in some circles. Homosexual behavior is condemned as sin. 
• Heaven, Hell - At the end of the Millennium, the thousand-year reign of Christ with his saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections, Christ and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The redeemed will live eternally on the New Earth, where God will dwell with his people. The condemned will be consumed by fire and annihilated. 
• Investigative Judgment - Beginning in 1844, a date originally named by an early Adventist as the Second Coming of Christ, Jesus began a process of judging which people will be saved and which will be destroyed. Adventists believe all departed souls are sleeping until that time of final judgment. 
• Jesus Christ - The eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ became man and was sacrificed on the cross in payment for sin, was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven. Those who accept the atoning death of Christ are assured eternal life.  
• Prophecy - Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Seventh-day Adventists consider Ellen G. White (1827-1915), one of the church's founders, to be a prophet. Her extensive writings are studied for guidance and instruction. 
• Sabbath - Seventh-day Adventist beliefs include worship on Saturday, in accordance with the Jewish custom of keeping the seventh day holy, based on the Fourth Commandment. They believe that the later Christian custom of moving the Sabbath to Sunday, to celebrate the day of Christ's resurrection, is unbiblical. • Trinity - Adventists believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While God is beyond human understanding, He has revealed Himself through Scripture and His Son, Jesus Christ.

|| Foursquare Gospel Church ||

 

 Baptism - Water baptism is required as a public commitment
to Christ's role as Redeemer and King. Foursquare Gospel Church
baptizes by immersion. Bible - Foursquare teachings hold that
the Bible is the inspired Word of God, "true, immutable,
steadfast, and unchangeable."
 Communion - The broken bread represents Christ's broken body,
given for humanity, and the juice of the vine reminds of the shed
blood of Christ. The Lord's Supper is a solemn occasion, entered into
with self-examination, forgiveness, and love toward all.
Equality - The Foursquare Gospel Church rejects anti-Semitism and
all ethnic discrimination. Since its founding by Aimee Semple McPherson,
the church has ordained female ministers, and women are active
throughout the church. Evangelism - Planting and growing
local churches is a priority. This church engages in global,
interdenominational evangelism.
Gifts of the Spirit - The Foursquare Gospel Church teaches that
the Holy Spirit still bestows his gifts on believers: wisdom, knowledge,
faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues,
and interpretation of tongues.
Grace - Salvation comes through grace, a free gift from God.
 On their own merit, human beings cannot earn righteousness
or God's favor and love.
Healing - Jesus Christ, who does not change, is still ready
and willing to heal people in answer to prayers of faith.
Christ can heal the body, the mind, and the spirit.
Heaven, Hell - Heaven and hell are real places. Heaven is
reserved for those who are born-again believers in Jesus Christ.
Hell, originally created for Satan and his rebellious angels,
 is the place of eternal separation from God,
for people who reject Christ as Savior.
 Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was conceived
by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and became a man.
By shedding his blood on the cross, he redeemed from sin
all who believe in Him as Savior. He lives as a Mediator
between God and man.
Salvation - Christ died for the sins of humanity.
Through his substitutionary sacrifice, he earned pardon of
sins for all who believe in Him.
Spirit-filled Life - Members are encouraged to live holy,
exemplary lives, honoring Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit with
their thoughts and actions, behaving in a loving, sincere, truthful manner.
Tithing - The Foursquare Gospel Church believes that tithes and
monetary offerings are commanded by God for ministry,
evangelism, and to release personal blessing.
Trinity - God is triune: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The three Persons are coeternal, coexistent and
 equal in perfection.
 (Sources: Foursquare.org, Rochester4Square.org)

|| Jesus People USA (JPUSA) ||

Baptism - The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) holds
 that baptism is a sacrament. "In this sense, it is a means of grace,
so long as one does not see it as saving grace."
ECC rejects the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation.
Bible - The Bible is "the uniquely inspired, authoritative
Word of God and is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine,
and conduct."
Communion - Jesus People USA beliefs say communion,
or the Lord's Supper, is one of two sacraments
commanded by Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit, or Comforter, enables people
to live a Christian life in this fallen world. He provides fruits
and gifts to the church and individuals today.
All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ came as the incarnation,
fully man and fully God. He died for the sin of humanity,
rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, where he
sits at the right hand of God. He will come again to
judge the living and the dead, according to Scripture.
Pietism - The Evangelical Covenant Church preaches a life
 "connected" to Jesus Christ, reliance on the Holy Spirit,
and service to the world. Jesus People USA members
participate in a variety of ministries to the aged, homeless,
ill, and children. Priesthood of All Believers - All believers
share in the church's ministry, yet some are called to be full time,
professional clergy. The ECC ordains both men and women.
The church is a "family of equals."
 Salvation - Salvation is solely through the atoning death of
Jesus Christ on the cross. Human beings are incapable of
saving themselves. Faith in Christ results in reconciliation
to God, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.
Second Coming - Christ will come again, visibly, to judge
the living and the dead. While no one knows the time,
his return is "immanent."
 Trinity - Jesus People USA beliefs hold that the Triune God is t
hree persons in one being: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God is eternal, omnipotent, and omnipresent.
(Jesus People USA Website.)

|| Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) ||

Baptism - Baptism symbolizes the death, burial,
and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It signifies new birth,
a cleansing from sin, the individual's response to
God's grace, and acceptance into the faith community.
Bible - Disciples of Christ consider the Bible to be 
the inspired Word of God and recognize 66 books in the canon, 
but beliefs vary on the inerrancy of Scripture. 
Individual churches cover the spectrum from 
fundamentalist to liberal.
Communion - Open communion, where all Christians are welcome, 
was one of the reasons for the founding of the Christian Church. 
In the Lord's Supper, "the living Christ is met and received 
in the sharing of the bread and the cup, representative of 
the body and blood of Jesus." 
Ecumenism - The Christian Church constantly reaches out to
 other Christian denominations. One of the early goals was to 
overcome the differences among Christian faith groups. 
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) belongs to 
the National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches 
and has had conversations with the Roman Catholic Church. 
Equality - One of the four priorities of the Christian Church is to 
become an anti-racist church. The Disciples of Christ include 
440 predominantly African-American congregations, 
156 Hispanic congregations, and 85 Asian-American congregations. 
The Disciples also ordain women. 
Heaven, Hell - Views on heaven and hell among the Disciples of 
Christ range from belief in literal places, to trust in God to 
provide eternal justice. The church itself does not engage in 
"speculative theology" and lets its individual members 
decide for themselves. 
Jesus Christ - The Disciples' Confession states that 
"Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God ... 
Lord and Savior of the world." Belief in Christ as Savior is 
the only requirement for salvation. The Priesthood of Believers - 
The ministry of believers extends to all members of the 
Christian Church. While the denomination has ordained clergy,
 lay people play key roles in the church.
Trinity - Disciples of Christ profess God the Father, the Son,
 and the Holy Spirit in their Confession, and they baptize in
the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Church members are allowed freedom of opinion on
this and other doctrines and are expected to
give others that same freedom. .
by Jack Zavada

|| United Church of Christ Beliefs (UCC) ||

Baptism - Baptism is the church community's promise 
of "love, support, and care." United Church of Christ (UCC) 
churches baptize infants brought by parents, or adults, 
when they are received into membership.
 Bible - The Bible is used for inspiration, guidance, 
and for preaching. Members are not required to believe 
literally any version of Scripture. 
Communion - All people of faith are invited to participate 
in the sacrament of communion. The act is seen as a 
reminder of the cost of Christ's sacrifice. Communion is 
celebrated as a mystery, honoring Christ and 
those who have died in his faith. 
Creed - The UCC does not require its congregations or 
members to follow a creed. The only profession 
necessary is love. 
Equality-There is no discrimination of any type 
in United Church of Christ beliefs. 
Heaven and Hell- Many members do not believe
 in specific places of reward or punishment, 
but do believe God gives believers eternal life.
 Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is recognized as fully 
human and fully God, Son of the Creator, 
Savior, and Head of the Church. 
Prophecy - United Church of Christ beliefs call the 
UCC to be a prophetic church. Many of the church's 
positions call for the same treatment of 
people as did the prophets and apostles. 
Sin - According to the UCC, sin is "opposition or 
indifference to the will of God." 
Trinity - The UCC believes in the Triune God: Creator, 
Christ, and the Holy Spirit. The United Church of Christ sets
 itself apart from other Christian denominations with its 
emphasis on the belief that God still speaks to his 
followers today. New light and understanding are constantly 
being revealed through interpretation of the Bible, 
says the United Church of Christ. 
Sacraments - Congregations conduct baptism during worship 
services when the community is present. Sprinkling is the 
usual practice, although some congre-gations use immersion. 
Communion elements are usually brought 
to members in their pews. 

Worship Service - United Church of Christ beliefs account 
for wide diversity in services. Local needs and traditions 
usually dictate worship styles and music. While no single
 liturgy is imposed, a typical Sunday service includes a sermon, 
adoration of God, general confession of sins, an assurance of 
forgiveness, prayers or songs of thanksgiving, and 
members dedicating themselves to God's will.

All members of the UCC are equals as the priesthood of 
believers, and though ordained ministers have 
special training, they are considered servants. 
             Individuals are free to live and believe based on their 
interpretation of God's will for their lives. UCC stresses unity
 within the church and a unifying spirit to heal divisions.
 It seeks unity in essentials but allows for diversity 
in nonessentials, with a charitable 
attitude toward disagreement. 

               The unity of the church is a gift from God, 
UCC teaches, yet diversity is to be accepted with love. 
To learn more about United Church of Christ beliefs, 
Crd: official United Church of Christ Website.

|| Moravian Church Beliefs ||

 Moravian Church Beliefs Motto: 

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.' 

Baptism: || Infants, children, and adults are baptized in this church. 

Through baptism "the individual receives a pledge of 

the forgiveness of sin and admission into the covenant of 

God through the blood of Jesus Christ."

Communion:  || The Moravian Church does not try to explain 

the mystery of this sacrament of Christ's presence in 

the bread and wine. Believers engage in an act of covenant 

with Christ as Savior and with other believers. 

Creeds:  || Moravian Church beliefs recognize the 

Apostles' Creed, Athanasian Creed, and the Nicene Creed as 

important statements of Christian faith. They help set a 

Scriptural confession, mark the boundaries of heresy,

 and encourage believers to an obedient life.

Doctrine:--- ||  The Unity of Brethren takes an unusual 

stand on doctrine: "Just as the Holy Scripture does not contain 

any doctrinal system, so the Unitas Fratrum also has not 

developed any of its own because it knows that the mystery 

of Jesus Christ, which is attested to in the Bible, cannot be

 comprehended completely by any human mind or expressed 

completely in any human statement," its Ground of the Unity 

document states. Moravian Church beliefs hold that all 

information needed for salvation is contained in the Bible. 

Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of the Trinity, 

who directs and unites Christians and forms them into a church. 

The Spirit calls each person individually to recognize their 

sin and accept redemption through Christ.

Jesus Christ:   || There is no salvation apart from Christ.

 He redeemed the whole of humanity by his death and 

resurrection and is present with us in the Word and the Sacrament. 

Priesthood of All Believers: The Unitas Fratrum recognizes the 

priesthood of all believers but does ordain ministers and 

deacons, as well as consecrate presbyters and bishops.

Salvation: God's will for salvation is revealed completely 

and clearly in the Bible, through the sacrifice of 

Jesus Christ on the cross. 

Trinity::::|| God is Triune in nature: Father, Son, 

and Holy Spirit and is the only source of life and salvation. 

Unity::::|| The Moravian Church takes a firm stand for 

unity in the church, recognizing Christ as the sole head of 

the church, who is leading his scattered children toward unity. 

Moravians cooperate with other Christian denominations in 

worthwhile charitable ventures and respect the differences 

among Christian churches. "We recognize the danger of 

self-righteousness and judging others without love," 

the Moravian Ground of the Unity says. 

Sacraments::::|| Moravian churches profess two sacraments:

 baptism and communion. Baptism is done by sprinkling and, 

for infants, implies responsibility for the infant, parents, 

and congregation. Youth and adults may be

 baptized at the time they make a profession of faith. 

Sources • Moravian Church in North America. 

 • The Ground of the Unity.

|| Christian Reformed Church (CRCNA) ||

                    The Christian Reformed Church had its beginning in the Netherlands. Today, the Christian Reformed Church is spread across the United States and Canada, while missionaries take its message to 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) has more than 268,000 members in over 1,049 churches in 30 countries.

CRCNA Founding ---|| One of many Calvinist denominations in Europe, the Dutch Reformed Church became the state religion in the Netherlands in the 1600s. However, during the Enlightenment, that church strayed from Calvin's teachings. The common people responded by forming their own movement, worshiping in small groups called conventicles.
                      Persecution by the state church led to a formal secession by Rev. Hendrik de Cock and others. Many years later, Rev. Albertus Van Raalte saw that the only way to avoid further persecution was to go to the United States. They settled in Holland, Michigan in 1848. To overcome the harsh conditions, they merged with the Dutch Reformed Church in New Jersey. By 1857, a group of four churches seceded and formed the Christian Reformed Church.

Geography:::::|| The Christian Reformed Church in North America is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, with congregations throughout the United States and Canada, and about 27 other countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. 

Christian Reformed Church Beliefs ::::|| The Christian Reformed Church professes the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed. They believe salvation is God's work from beginning to end and that humans can do nothing to earn their way into heaven. 
Baptism ::: Christ's blood and spirit wash away sins in baptism. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, infants as well as adults may be baptized and received into the church. 
Bible ::: The Bible is the "inspired and infallible Word of God." While Scripture reflects the personalities and cultures of the individual writers, it infallibly conveys God's revelation. Over the decades, the Christian Reformed Church has authorized several translations of the Bible to be used in worship services.
Clergy -:::Women may be ordained to all ecclesiastical offices in the Christian Reformed Church. Synods have debated this issue since 1970, and not all local churches agree with this position. 

Communion ||  The Lord's Supper is offered as a remembrance of Jesus Christ's "once-for-all" sacrificial death for the forgiveness of sins. 
Holy Spirit || The Holy Spirit is the comforter promised by Jesus before his ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit is God with us in the here and now, empowering and guiding both the church and individuals. 
Jesus Christ -|| Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the center of human history. Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, and his life, death and resurrection are historical facts. Christ returned to heaven following his resurrection and will come again to make all things new.
Redemption - God the Father refused to let sin conquer humanity. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world through his sacrificial death. Further, God raised Jesus from the dead to show that Christ has overcome sin and death. Sabbath - From the time of the early church, Christians have celebrated the Sabbath on Sunday. Sunday should be a day of rest from work, except by necessity, and recreation should not interfere with church worship.

Sin - The Fall introduced the "sin virus" into the world, which contaminates everything, from people to creatures to institutions. Sin can result in alienation from God but cannot blot out a person's longing for God and wholeness. 
Trinity - God is One, in three persons, as revealed by the Bible. God is a "perfect community of love" as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
Sacraments - The Christian Reformed Church practices two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is performed by a minister or ministry associate, by sprinkling water on the forehead but may also be done by immersion. Adults who are baptized are called to make a public confession of faith.
               The Lord's Supper is offered as bread and the cup. According to the Heidelberg Catechism, the bread and wine are not changed into the body and blood of Christ but are a certain sign that participants receive full pardon for their sins through communion.  

|| Church of the Brethren ||

• Background: Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination with origins in the Pietist and Anabaptist movements. Adherents stress peace and reconciliation, serving others, living a simple life, and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. 
• Founding: The Brethren were founded in 1708 by Alexander Mack in Schwarzenau Germany. 
• The Brethren's Vision Statement: “Through Scripture, Jesus calls us to live as courageous disciples by word and action: To surrender ourselves to God, To embrace one another, To express God’s love for all creation.” 

Baptism: Baptism by triple immersion is an ordinance performed on adults, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Brethren see baptism as a commitment to live Jesus' teachings responsibly and joyfully. 
Bible: The Brethren use the New Testament as their guidebook for living. They believe the Bible is divinely inspired and hold that the Old Testament lays out God's purpose and desires for humanity. 
Communion: Communion is an expression of love, modeled after Christ's last supper with his disciples. The Brethren partake in bread and wine, celebrating agape, the selfless love Jesus showed to the world. 

Creed: The Brethren do not follow a Christian creed. Rather, they use the entire New Testament to affirm their beliefs and to glean instruction on how to live. God: God the Father is viewed by Brethren as "Creator and loving Sustainer.
"Healing: The practice of anointing is an ordinance within the Church of the Brethren, and includes the minister laying on hands for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. The laying on of hands symbolizes the prayers and support of the entire congregation. 
Holy Spirit: Brethren hold that the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the believer's life: "We seek to be guided by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life, thought, and mission." 

Jesus Christ: All Brethren "affirm their belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior." Living a life patterned after the life of Christ is of paramount importance to the Brethren as they seek to emulate his humble service and unconditional love. Peace: All war is a sin, according to the Church of the Brethren. Brethren are conscientious objectors and seek to promote nonviolent solutions to conflict, ranging from personal disagreements to international threats. 
Salvation: God's plan of salvation is that people are pardoned from their sins through believing in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. God provided his only Son as the perfect sacrifice in our place. Jesus promises believers in him a place in heaven. 

Trinity: Brethren believe in the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one God. 
Sacraments: The Brethren recognize the ordinances of adult believer's baptism, communion (which includes a love feast, bread and cup, and feet washing), and anointing. Baptism is by immersion, three times forward, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This triple immersion method of baptism earned the Brethren the nickname “Dunkers.”

|| Pentecostal Church International(UPCI) ||

                           The UPCI, or United Pentecostal Church International, sets itself apart from other Christian denominations by its belief in the oneness of God, a doctrine which rejects the Trinity. And while the UPCI professes salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not works, this church commands baptism and obedience as requirements for reconciliation to God (salvation). 
UPCI Beliefs  
Baptism - The UPCI does not baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but rather in the name of Jesus Christ. Oneness Pentecostals cite Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5, and 22:16 as their proof for this doctrine. 
Bible - The Bible is "the Word of God and is therefore inerrant and infallible." UPCI holds that all extrabiblical writings, revelations, creeds, and articles of faith are to be rejected, as the opinions of men. 
Communion - UPCI churches practice the Lord's Supper and foot washing as ordinances. 
Divine Healing - The UPCI believes the healing ministry of Christ continues on earth today. Doctors and medicine play a vital role, but God is the ultimate source of all healing. God still heals miraculously today. 
Heaven, Hell - Both the just and unjust will be resurrected, and all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. A just God will determine the eternal destiny of every soul: The unjust will go to everlasting fire and punishment, while the righteous will receive eternal life. Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the manifestation of the one God in the New Testament. Christ's shed blood was offered for the redemption of mankind. 
Modesty - "Holiness involves both the inner man and the outer man." Accordingly, the United Pentecostal Church says that for women, modesty requires that they not wear slacks, not cut their hair, not wear jewelry, not wear makeup, and not swim in mixed company. Dress hemlines should be below the knee and sleeves below the elbow. Men are advised that hair should not cover the tops of the ears or touch the shirt collar. Movies, dancing, and worldly sports are also to be avoided.
 Oneness of God - God is one, manifested in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He manifested himself as Jehovah in the Old Testament; as Jesus Christ, God and man, in the New Testament; and as the Holy Spirit, God with us and in us in our regeneration. This doctrine opposes the Tri-unity of God or three distinct persons within one God. 
Salvation - According to United Pentecostal Church belief, salvation requires repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and baptism in the Holy Ghost, then living a godly life. 
Sin - Sin is breaking the commandments of God. Every human being from Adam to the present is guilty of sin. 
Tongues - "Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker." Initial speaking in tongues indicates baptism in the Holy Spirit. Subsequent speaking in tongues in church meetings is a public message which must be interpreted. 
Trinity - The word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible. UPCI says that doctrine is invalid. God, according to United Pentecostals, is not three distinct persons, as in the Trinity doctrine, but three "manifestations" of the one God. This doctrine is called Oneness of God or Jesus Only. Disagreement over the Trinity vs. Oneness of God and water baptism caused the original split of Oneness Pentecostals from the Assemblies of God in 1916. 
UPCI Practices Sacraments - The United Pentecostal Church requires water baptism as a condition for salvation, and the formula is "... in the name of Jesus," not in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as other Protestant denominations observe. Baptism is by immersion only, ruling out pouring, sprinkling, and infant baptism. United Pentecostals observe the Lord's Supper in their worship service, along with foot washing. 
Worship Service - UPCI services are spirit-filled and lively, with members shouting, singing, raising their hands in praise, clapping, dancing, testifying, and speaking in tongues. Instrumental music also plays a key role, based on 2 Samuel 6:5. People are also anointed with oil for divine healing. 
( official UPCI Website.)

|| Lutheran Beliefs and Practices ||

Baptism - Although Luther retained that baptism was necessary for 
spiritual regeneration, no specific form was stipulated. Today Lutherans 
practice both infant baptism and baptism of believing adults. Baptism is 
done by sprinkling or pouring water rather than immersion. 
Most Lutheran branches accept a valid baptism of other 
Christian denominations when a person converts, 
making re-baptism unnecessary. 
Catechism - Luther wrote two catechisms or guides to the faith. 
The Small Catechism contains basic explanations of the T
en Commandments, Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, baptism, 
confession, communion, and a list of prayers and table of duties.
 The Large Catechism goes into great detail on these topics. 
Church Governance - Luther maintained that individual 
churches should be governed locally, not by a centralized authority, 
as in the Roman Catholic Church. Although many Lutheran branches
still have bishops, they do not exercise the same type of 
control over congregations. 
Creeds - Today's Lutheran churches use the three 
Christian creeds:the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, 
and the Athanasian Creed. These ancient professions of 
faith summarize basic Lutheran beliefs. 
Eschatology - Lutherans do not interpret the Rapture as most o
ther Protestant denominations do. Instead, Lutherans believe 
Christ will return only once, visibly, and will catch up all 
Christians together with the dead in Christ. The tribulation is 
the normal suffering all Christians endure until that last day. 
Heaven and Hell - Lutherans see heaven and hell as literal places. 
Heaven is a realm where believers enjoy God forever, 
free from sin, death, and evil. Hell is a place of 
punishment where the soul is eternally separated from God. 
Individual Access to God - Luther believed each individual 
has the right to reach God through Scripture with a responsibility 
to God alone. It is not necessary for a priest to mediate. 
This "priesthood of all believers" was a radical change from Catholic doctrine. 
The Lord's Supper - Luther retained the sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper, which is the central act of worship in the Lutheran denomination. But the doctrine of transubstantiation was rejected. 
While Lutherans believe in the true presence of Jesus Christ in 
the elements of bread and wine, the church is not specific 
in how or when that act occurs. Thus, Lutherans resist 
the idea that the bread and wine are mere symbols. 
Purgatory - Lutherans reject the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 
a place of cleansing where believers go after death, 
before entering heaven. The Lutheran Church teaches that 
there is no scriptural support for it and that the dead go 
directly to either heaven or hell. 
Salvation by Grace through Faith - Luther maintained that salvation comes by grace through faith alone; not by works and sacraments. 
This key doctrine of justification represents the major difference 
between Lutheranism and Catholicism. Luther held that works 
such as fasting, pilgrimages, novenas, indulgences, 
and masses of special intention play no part in salvation. 
Salvation for All - Luther believed that salvation is available 
to all humans through the redeeming work of Christ. Scripture - 
Luther believed the Scriptures contained the one necessary 
guide to truth. In the Lutheran Church, much emphasis is placed 
on hearing the Word of God. The church teaches that the 
Bible does not merely contain the Word of God, but every 
word of it is inspired or "God-breathed." The Holy Spirit is 
the author of the Bible. 
Lutheran Practices (Sacraments) - Luther believed the sacraments
 were valid only as aids to faith. The sacraments initiate and feed faith,
 thus giving grace to those who participate in them. 
The Catholic Church claims seven sacraments,
the Lutheran Church only two: baptism and the Lord's Supper. 
Worship - As to the manner of worship, Luther chose to retain 
altars and vestments and prepare an order of liturgical service, 
but with the understanding that no church was bound to follow any 
set order. As a result, there is emphasis today on a liturgical 
approach to worship services, but no uniform liturgy belonging 
to all branches of the Lutheran body. An important place is given to preaching, congregational singing, and music, as Luther was a great fan of music.
Sources • Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, 
Concordia Publishing House • ReligiousTolerance.org 
• ReligionFacts.com

|| Counter-Reformation ||

The Early Roots of the Counter-Reformation 

                 With the waning of the Catholic Middle Ages and the dawn of an increasingly secular and political modern age in the 14th century, the Catholic Church found herself affected by trends in the broader culture. Through a series of reforms of religious orders, such as the Benedictines, Cistercians, and Franciscans, in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Church tried to elevate the preaching of the gospel and to call laypeople back to Catholic morality. 
                  Many problems, however, had deeper roots that affected the very structure of the Church. In 1512, the Fifth Lateran Council attempted a series of reforms for what are known as secular priests that is, clergy who belong to a regular diocese rather than to a religious order. The council had a very limited effect, though it did make one very important convert Alexander Farnese, a cardinal who would become Pope Paul III in 1534. 
                   Before the Fifth Lateran Council, Cardinal Farnese had a longtime mistress, with whom he had four children. But the council pricked his conscience, and he reformed his life in the years immediately before a German monk by the name of Martin Luther set out to reform the Catholic Church and ended up sparking the Protestant Reformation.

 The Catholic Response to the Protestant Reformation 

Martin Luther's 95 Theses set the Catholic world on fire in 1517, and nearly 25 years after the Catholic Church condemned Luther's theological errors at the Diet of Worms (1521), Pope Paul III attempted to put out the flames by convening the Council of Trent (1545-63). 
                   The Council of Trent defended important Church doctrines that Luther and later Protestants attacked, such as transubstantiation (the belief that, during the Mass, the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, which Catholics then receive in Communion); that both faith and the works that flow from that faith are necessary for salvation; that there are seven sacraments (some Protestants had insisted that only Baptism and Communion were sacraments, and others had denied that there were any sacraments); and that the pope is the successor of Saint Peter, and exercises authority over all Christians.               
                Through the council's reforms, the practice of appointing secular rulers as bishops came to an end, as did the sale of indulgences, which Martin Luther had used as a reason to attack the Church's teaching on the existence of, and need for, Purgatory. The Council of Trent ordered the writing and publishing of a new catechism to make it clear what the Catholic Church taught, and called for reforms in the Mass, which were made by Pius V, who became pope in 1566 (three years after the council ended). 
                  The Mass of Pope Pius V (1570), often regarded as the crown jewel of the Counter-Reformation, is today known as the Traditional Latin Mass or (since the release of Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum) the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. 

Other Chief Figures of the Counter-Reformation 

                  While there are many important figures who left their mark on the Counter-Reformation, four in particular bear mentioning. St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84), the cardinal-archbishop of Milan, found himself on the front lines as Protestantism descended from Northern Europe. 
                    He founded seminaries and schools throughout Northern Italy, and traveled throughout the area under his authority, visiting parishes, preaching, and calling his priests to a life of holiness. St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), the bishop of Geneva, in the very heart of Calvinism, won many Calvinists back to the Catholic Faith through his example of "preaching the Truth in charity." Just as importantly, he worked hard to keep Catholics in the Church, not only by teaching them sound doctrine but by calling them to the "devout life," making prayer, meditation, and the reading of Scripture a daily practice. 
                          St. Teresa of Avila (1515-82) and St. John of the Cross (1542-91), both Spanish mystics and Doctors of the Church, reformed the Carmelite order and called Catholics to a greater life of interior prayer and commitment to the will of God.

|| Southern Baptist History ||

                       In the late 1700's and early 1800's, as Baptists began to organize and expand, they formed missionary societies to spread the Christian lifestyle to others. These mission societies led to other organizational structures that would eventually define the denomination of Southern Baptists. By the 1830's tension began to mount between Northern and Southern Baptists. 
                          One issue that severely divided the Baptists was slavery. Northern Baptists believed God would not condone treating one race as superior to another, while Southerners said that God intended for races to be separate. Southern state Baptists began complaining that they weren't receiving money for missions work. The Home Mission Society declared that a person could not be a missionary and wish to keep his slaves as property. As a result of this division, Baptists in the South met in May of 1845 and organized the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). 
                        The Civil War and Civil Rights From 1861 through 1865, the American Civil War disrupted all aspects of Southern society, including the church. Just as Southern Baptists fought for independence for their local churches, so the Confederacy fought for individual states' rights. In the Reconstruction period after the war, Southern Baptists continued to maintain their own identity, expanding rapidly throughout the region. 
                  Although the SBC broke from the North in 1845, it continued to use materials from the American Baptist Publication Society in Philadelphia. Not until 1891 did the SBC form its own Sunday School Board, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Providing standard literature for all Southern Baptist churches had a strong unifying effect, solidifying the Southern Baptist Convention as a denomination. 
                     During the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, the SBC took no active role, and in some locales strongly opposed racial equality. However, in 1995, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Southern Baptist Convention, at its national meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, SBC leaders adopted a resolution on racial reconciliation. 
                  The resolution condemned racism, acknowledged the SBC's role in supporting slavery, and affirmed the equality of all people on scriptural grounds. Further, it apologized to African-Americans, asking their forgiveness, and pledged to eradicate all forms of racism from Southern Baptist life.