Category Archives: Christian history

“Where in Christendom is the Christian?”—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Steve Simms

When Jesus prayed,“Your kingdom come,”He wasn’t talkingAbout ChristendomWhere church and stateCompelled all to humIn obligatoryUnison. Finding passionate, heart-felt, Spirit-led Christianity is sometimes like finding Waldo. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Where in Christendom is the Christian?” To call the world today … Continue reading →

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Constantine & the Emperor’s new (institutional) clothes

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Steve Simms

Constantine dressed up Christianity by putting the Emperor’s new (institutional) clothes on it. However, like Saul’s armor on young David as he prepared to fight Goliath, rigid institutionalism hasn’t been a very effective way to demonstrate the power and presence … Continue reading →

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Bible Belt question: “Where do you go to church?”

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Steve Simms

I grew up in the part of the United States called the Bible Belt where people in casual conversation would ask: “Where do you go to church?” Like church around the Western World, church attendance in the Bible Belt has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian history, Christianity, church decline, church history, church of your choice, church programming, fruit of the Spirit, history, the Western church, Uncategorized, Western Europe, Western religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Paul Apostle Of Christ” shows prechurch Christianity in action

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Steve Simms

Before there was church hierarchy and official offices, Christianity was more family than institution! Before there was established liturgy and religious programming, faith in Christ flowed spontaneously from the heart. That was prechurch Christianity! The movie, “Paul Apostle Of Christ,” … Continue reading →

Posted in apest, back to the Bible, biblical Christianity, Biblical principles, Christian history, church, handbook, Henry Hon, house church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, organic church, Quotes, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rediscovering Prechurch Christianity

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Steve Simms

Prechurch Christianity! There’s never been anything like it unleashed on earth! It came before organized Christianity and prechurch Christianity “turned the world upside down!” (See Acts 17:6) It can still “turn the world upside down.” Let’s re-experience it. Prechurch Christianity … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian history, normal Christianity, organic church, religion, simple church, true Christianity, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Are sermon points and systematic theology in the Bible?

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

Sermon points? Sermons frequently have numbered points. However, when you read through the New Testament, you can’t find even one incidence of number points. So how did such an unbiblical idea become so common in church services? (Perhaps it is … Continue reading →

Posted in All I have written, alternative to preaching, Christian history, church history, history, house church, New Testament, organic church, preaching, preaching the Word, preaching without words, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mother Teresa did this:

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Steve Simms

Mother Teresa traced the tracks of Christ with her feet and while doing so she transformed her life and the life of countless others. Now the Catholic Church has officially called her a saint. The truth is: All genuine Christ-followers … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic, Christ followers, Christian history, church history, examples of forgiveness, Follow Me, followers of Christ, following Christ, Footprints In The Sand, history, holiness, In His steps, India, Indian history, Indians, normal Christianity, Quotations, Roman Catholic, The Normal Christian Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

7 6-word sentences 4 engracing your life

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Steve Simms

Grace is more than just a free gift. It’s freedom! Here are seven six-word sentences to help ingratiate your life: one — Grace is the place things change. two — Grace is the power to replace. three — Grace will erase sin’s … Continue reading →

Posted in cheap grace, Christian history, church history, extreme grace, for by grace your are saved, full of grace and truth, gives grace to the humble, God's Riches At Christ's Expense, grace card, grace definition, grace greater than all my sin, grace preachers, growing in grace, hypergrace, If grace is an ocean, living in grace, salvation, saved by grace, saving grace, Uncategorized, understanding grace, what is grace | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Icons transport me beyond church

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Icons in my favorite church building transport me beyond church. It’s an Orthodox church near Franklin, Tennessee. Icons are images dedicated, set apart, and anointed to reflect the glory of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. Icons, unlike ordinary religious art, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ the Head of the church, Christian history, church, church government, church in decline, Eastern Orthodox churches, ekklesia, Greek Orthodox Church, move of God, organic church, organized religion, Pentecost, revival, revival history, spiritual awakening, Tennessee, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Full Gospel–Salvation Army Style (“Others” or Jesus–Finding Balance)

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Steve Simms

The Salvation Army is off the race track. Check out my new book, Off the RACE Track–From Color-Blind to Color Kind at this link. Commissioner Israel Gaither says this about it: “The racial divide in America is real and it is deep. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian history, church history, Full Gospel, Gospel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, message, quotation, Quotations, quote, Salvation Army General, Salvation Army officer | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment