Sunday, July 1, 2012

Are the practices of the early church a reliable guide for us today? Why or why not? BIB 502-1-08-2

Are the practices of the early church a reliable guide for us today? To me it depends on how early one is talking about. The very early church known as The Way was still very close to the teachings of Jesus and met in homes unlike the ornate cathedrals of today.However, it wasn’t long before people started adding to The Way. The Judaizers would follow in Paul’s footsteps and pervert his message. The Judaizers were proponents of legalism rather than the simple gospel of Jesus. Paul was very clear about grace vs. legalism in the book of Galatians. Paul puts it so simply in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” [KJV]
In His letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation 1:2-3, Jesus pretty much lays out the “Once and Future Church.”
The church at Ephesus was so busy bringing people into the Kingdom that they didn’t spend enough time in their devotional life.
The church at Smyrna was pretty much told to hang in there through horrific persecution.
The church at Pergamus compromised with pagan beliefs.
The church at Thyatira is the church of the Dark Ages, the Roman Catholic Church. The Nicolaitians of the Roman Catholic turned legalism into a money pot, subject for another DQ.
The church at Sardis is told they are dead but to be watchful, hold fast and repent. Jesus had nothing good to say about them.
The church at Philadelphia, like the church at Smyrna has no indictments from Jesus and will be Raptured before the Tribulation.
The church at Laodicea is neither hot nor cold and Jesus says, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.” This church is typical of many today, whatever brings the “Name it and claim it” members of the me generation. Jesus had nothing good to say about them.
So the very early church became married to the pagan beliefs and practices. Progressing a little bit more we have the medieval church which would be very comparable to the Roman Catholic Church and it’s many heresies including Mary worship and placing papal authority on the same level as the Scriptures. Many of today’s churches are cross between the church at Sardis, the dead church, and the church at Laodicea which is neither hot nor cold.
In summary and in my opinion, the practices of the very early church, The Way, is a good guide for us today. Chuck Missler’s teaching, “The Once and Future Church” is excellent. In my opinion, Dr. Metzler is right on and that eventually believers will move to home-based churches as more and more churches become politically correct and embrace the ecumenical movement.

Later fllwup:
I respectfully disagree with you Justin. The early church, also known as the Way, was close in time to the purity of the teachings of Jesus. Granted within the first several decades the Judaizers started preaching the law along with grace. However Paul was there to keep the record straight. The early Christians, as they became known, were willing to risk their lives to meet in homes and often in secret. Not only do I consider the people of the Way a model for today; the home church and/or meetings in small groups may very well reflect the teachings of Jesus far more than do the stately edifices called Houses of God. Also, as Christians face more persecution we made also be meeting in secret.
I’m confused by what you mean by the desecration of the communion. Do you mean the Lord’s Table where Jesus told us to do this in remembrance of Him? Or are you referring to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church whereby the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine become the actual Body and Blood of Christ. If so, I sure agree that the Roman Catholic Church has desecrated the communion celebration. Plus they have redacted Scripture and added to it in direct contradiction to Revelation 22:18-19.
I agree with you and Peter that we should adhere to the teachings of Scripture and the influence of the comforter sent to us after the ascension of Jesus. So yes, “give me that old time religion, its good enough for me.”

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