This post was written in 2016 and revised today for TBT.

I wonder what the early Christian church was like, before the corruption of its tenets – before reason got involved – before faith took a back seat – before factions of the original church broke away and became more to man’s liking. In reading the book of Acts we see that that original church had begun to break away from the scriptures and add their own paraphrasing. In the Old Testament we see how sin came to be. How mankind doubted God and could be on an even plane with Him. The lessons of old are filled with stories of God’s wrath but also include His consistency – His guidance and direction, and His unconditional love for those who believe in Him. The New Testament shows us God’s plan for salvation through His only Son. It gives us hope for life eternal. It gives us lessons to live, by following Christ’s example. It also shows how things went astray, even in those early days of Christianity.

When the Protestant Reformation occurred in the 1500s, the church in Rome had run amok. Due to its involvement in many country’s governments and their excessive spending, they were always looking for money. They had wealthy patrons who supported them, but they counted on the common man to help fill the gap. Peasants were sold indulgences which would guarantee less time in Purgatory. These people were oppressed and poor and their need for God was freely available. They just didn’t know it. They also sat through Latin church services that they didn’t understand, as well as a Bible they couldn’t read. Protestants broke away from the Roman Catholic church and the Church of England. They came to find religious freedom through the words of truth being preached in words they knew. With the advent of the Gutenberg Printing Press, the Bible could be mass produced in their own language so people could actually read the Word and teach it to their families. The Bible would spread through New World exploration, and souls would be won because of it. That reform took hold and spread like wildfire, because it gave everyone a chance for salvation.

During Jesus’ time on earth, there was already corruption of His Word. The leaders of religious sects had their own thoughts on what God had to tell them. Jesus knew they were also taking bribes and more importantly straying from the truth. He called them out on their behavior several times. He related to the starving minds because He lived among them and knew what they were going through. Today we see the same thing happening. We must be diligent in how we worship, using the Bible as our manual for daily living. He has kept it alive for centuries and it will remain until Jesus returns again.

Dear, Holy, God, You inspired your truth into the minds and hands of the prophets, the apostles and early Christians. Help us to search the Scriptures for all the amazing truth within its pages. Corruption is a natural thing for us human beings, because of the effect of our original sin. Remind us that you have washed away every blemish through your dear Son, Jesus. Put us in touch with you again through your Word. It is your voice of promise, hope and forgiveness. May we keep its content ever pure. Amen!

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR YOUR INSPIRED WORD, THE BIBLE!