About the first century church and today's church


Sandra D How does the first century church compare to the church today?



In his letters to the first century church, the Apostle Paul commended each for excelling in the graces of God. Specifically, these first century churches were known for their faith, love, zeal, giving, knowledge, and intolerance for sin, as well as false doctrines. The first century church was united in spirit. Consequently, they were a conduit for the power of God as manifested in the miraculous signs and wonders performed through the apostles and for the apostles, in response to the prayers of the saints. The gospel of grace spread like wildfire, at tremendous cost to the early followers of Christ. The first century church was beset with persecution, torture, and martyrdom. In spite of this, Christian churches were being established throughout the Mediterranean region, Asia Minor, and into Europe.



Today's world is characterized by the last days events foretold by the Lord Jesus Christ in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Matthew's Gospel. Specifically, we are hearing of the "wars and rumors of wars," earthquakes, famines, and pestilences of which our Lord warned. It was foretold of the church in these last days, that (among many other things):



The "love of many" would "grow cold."

Many in the church would be "lovers of self" rather than lovers of God.

Many in the faith would be "offended."

The church would "have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof."

Last day Christians would have "itching" ears, would not "endure sound doctrine" and would have "many teachers."

In other words, the end times church (the organization) will include those who profess belief in Christ but who are, in fact, children of disobedience. The Lord Jesus Christ foretold of this reality in His parable of the "wheat and the tares."

Certainly, the early church had its problems, just as the church today. However, the early church was more diligent to identify and eradicate false doctrines than today's multi-denominational church. It was easier for the early church to discipline, or rid itself of those engaged in immoral activity. This could be because the early church was not as fragmented, or divided as the church of today.



It is important to remember that, regardless of the times in which we live, every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God. Every true believer is God's "building." While unity of the spirit in the local church is to be desired, Christ's Church (the organism) is not a visible building. There is an unseen church, comprised of Christ's followers, who remain true to the teachings of Christ and to the leading of His Holy Spirit. The unseen or invisible church excels in the graces of God, just as the early church did, despite the physical location of its members.



Christ's Church is not a building with programs. Christ's church is comprised of those who have a vibrant relationship with our risen Lord and Savior. Though the world may not be witness to the miraculous signs and wonders, or other manifestations of the power of God that were apparent in the early church, Christ's church remains alive and well.



Learn More about the Beginning of Christianity!



http://www.allaboutreligion.org/first-century-church-faq.htm

Sept. 3

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Sandra D

Beginning of Christianity - The Outcast Roots

The beginning of Christianity may surprise many of us. Since much of the world views Christianity as a narrow and elitist religion that judges all other faiths and beliefs, it's interesting to take a look at the roots of the Christian faith. Actually, the line of people leading to and following Jesus Christ were far from squeaky clean elitists. If anything, these were the outcasts…



ADAM was a failure. NOAH was a drunk. ABRAHAM was too old. ISAAC was a daydreamer. JACOB was a liar. LEAH was ugly. JOSEPH was abused. MOSES had a stuttering problem. GIDEON was afraid. SAMSON had long hair, and was a womanizer. RAHAB was a prostitute. JEREMIAH was too young. DAVID had an affair and was a murderer. ELIJAH was suicidal. ISAIAH preached naked. JONAH ran from God. NAOMI was a widow. JOB went bankrupt. JOHN the Baptist ate bugs. PETER denied Christ. The disciples fell asleep while praying. MARTHA worried about everything. MARY MAGDALENE was, well, you know... The SAMARITAN WOMAN was divorced ... more than once. ZACCHEUS was too small. PAUL was too religious. TIMOTHY had an ulcer. AND LAZARUS WAS DEAD!



Beginning of Christianity - The Grace of God

The beginning of Christianity is not founded on an exclusionary belief system. The Christian faith is grounded in God's loving response to nasty sinners like you and me. There's nothing narrow or elitist about a faith that says "come as you are!" Charles Spurgeon, a powerful teacher of Christianity, said it beautifully, "When a man sees himself to be altogether lost and ruined, covered all over with the defilement of sin, and no part free from pollution; when he disclaims all righteousness of his own, and pleads guilty before the Lord, then is he clean through the blood of Jesus, and the grace of God. When sin is seen and felt it has received its death blow, and the Lord looks with eyes of mercy upon the soul afflicted with it.



Spurgeon continues, "Sin mourned and confessed, however black and foul, shall never shut a man out from the Lord Jesus. Whosoever cometh unto Him, He will in no wise cast out. Though dishonest as the thief, though unchaste as the woman who was a sinner, though fierce as Saul of Tarsus, though cruel as Manasseh, though rebellious as the prodigal, the great heart of love will look upon the man who feels himself to have no soundness in him, and will pronounce him clean, when he trusts in Jesus crucified. Come to Him, then, poor heavy-laden sinner, Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare; You can't come too filthy--come just as you are."



Beginning of Christianity - Wonderfully Inclusive Faith

The beginning of Christianity is far from exclusionary or elitist. The foundation of the Christian faith is lavish, open and excessive grace! In fact, contrary to today's view of Christianity, God doesn't seem to be very careful about who He calls to be His friends and followers. His grace, delivered through the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ, is powerfully and wonderfully inclusive!



For a true picture of the beginning of Christianity read the Bible. As Mike Yaconelli put so well, "The Bible is full of changed people who changed the world around them, people who were prostitutes, murderers, cheaters and adulterers… Why God would want us, like us, seek us and pursue us is more than bewildering. It's the best news we could ever hear!"



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