Are the "Gates of Hell" prevailing against the Church

[for_his_glory]

Jesus was talking to Peter as they stood on the physical rock in Caesarea Philippi which was a rock literally filled with niches for pagan idols, where ungodly values dominated. It was there that Jesus asked Peter who he thought Jesus was and it was only by Gods Spirit that revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah), son of the living God, Matthew 16:13-18. Jesus said upon this rock (truth) I will build my Church and that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Are we not also to be that rock of witness (truth) as the Disciples were in their traveling witness of Christ as they taught others! So what has changed from this past time to the present is that many Christians compromise their own values and would never step foot into the gates of hell to confront the evil that is in this world. Many of our churches have become politically correct as to not step on any toes, because after all we do not want to offend anyone, but Jesus challenged his followers to be on the offense, to proclaim the truth without shame.

The Church (those who are in Christ) should become staging areas rather than fortresses; places that equip Gods people to confront a sinful world instead of hiding from it. Jesus knows that the pagan world will resist, but he challenges us to go there anyway, and to build his church in those very places that are most morally decayed. God’s word is never changing and will certainly never come back void.

 

[Willie T]

Jesus was talking to Peter as they stood on the physical rock in Caesarea Philippi which was a rock literally filled with niches for pagan idols, where ungodly values dominated. It was there that Jesus asked Peter who he thought Jesus was and it was only by Gods Spirit that revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah), son of the living God, Matthew 16:13-18. Jesus said upon this rock (truth) I will build my Church and that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Are we not also to be that rock of witness (truth) as the Disciples were in their traveling witness of Christ as they taught others! So what has changed from this past time to the present is that many Christians compromise their own values and would never step foot into the gates of hell to confront the evil that is in this world. Many of our churches have become politically correct as to not step on any toes, because after all we do not want to offend anyone, but Jesus challenged his followers to be on the offense, to proclaim the truth without shame.

The Church (those who are in Christ) should become staging areas rather than fortresses; places that equip Gods people to confront a sinful world instead of hiding from it. Jesus knows that the pagan world will resist, but he challenges us to go there anyway, and to build his church in those very places that are most morally decayed. God’s word is never changing and will certainly never come back void.

Good post. It's disappointing, but much of the church has this all reversed. They hide behind the "gates" of their buildings, determined not to let any of that messy Hell come anywhere near them.

 

[for_his_glory]

Ya, the sanitize your hands syndrome