Apostle Paul tells us to imitate him and keep the traditions that were handed down. 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Jesus tells us in Mark 7 to keep man made ways, makes your worship of God in vain.
Most people do not seem to understand that man made Sunday religion has perverted God's truth in many ways. It is important that His people obey what God has ordained as we seek the New Testament body life for today.
But what was the early NT first century body like?
We do know from scripture that the body that Christ ordained is very different than what you find in Sunday man made religion today. In order to help you see how to keep and follow in God's traditions and not man's the following are some key points about how the first century saints met and functioned as Christ's body.
It is clear from the scriptures these facts were with the early NT believers:
* Met often not just Sunday ( Sunday is a man made way ) Acts 2
* Met house to house having no use for religious buildings
Acts 2
* Did not keep pagan holidays of Christmas or Easter / John 4"24
* Only born again saints gather in the body. / Gal 5:9
* Used church discipline to keep sin out of the body/ Matt 18
* Included a meal with the wine and bread ( Lord's supper ) as part of their gathering / Matthew 26 and 1 Corinthians 11 )
* Close loving fellowship ( Christ at the center ) was a key
* Would sing (acappella/no instruments that are fleshly) and pray but mostly they used the time to study God's Word. Ephesians 4
*no alter calls were used just a call to repent! Acts 2 / Acts 17
* Were dressed in plain loose long flowing clothes ( no adorning ) 1 Peter 3 / 1 Timothy 2
* Were dressed in plain loose long flowing clothes ( no adorning ) 1 Peter 3 / 1 Timothy 2
* Ladies covered their heads / 1 Corinthians 11
*men in tunics like garments. Genesis 3:21
* In the gathering the ladies did not teach or speak God's Word /1 Corinthians 14
* There was NO modern pastor role / all men used their gifts and offered whatever God gave them to share/ 1 Corinthians 14
* In time.. multiple elders/deacons would oversee but NOT lord over others (elders and deacons had to meet all the requirements of scripture) (click HERE to learn about elders) / Titus 1
* Nothing was timed out but the Spirit was allowed to led / Romans 8
* Gatherings could last 1-2 hours or all day into the night
* The gospel to eternal life was preached often
* Holiness and obedience to God's Word is a big focus here / Hebrews 5:9
* The call to not be of the world is a key in the NT body / Romans 12:2
* There is no pulpit / just a family gathering to share love and God's truth
* Everyone gathered together including children ( no Sunday school )
* Wives asked their husbands questions at home / 1 Corinthians 14
* There was NO talk of the world or its ways/ God is the focus
* Any offering taken was used for needy saints and the gospel
* No dead formalism/ritual with one man running the whole show by a clock/bulletin
* Gatherings were orderly never confusing or out of control emotionalism
* No solo singers or entertainment of any kind is needed or allowed
Note: the purpose of all of this was to edify the body and train saints up for ministry / Ephesians 4
Those are the biblical standards/example we see in scripture for His NT body. If you claim to be His, this is your standard not the traditions of men that came along later and corrupted the truth into a lie so many keep each week.
This gathering was a special time for believers to draw closer together over the Word of God, become united (one in the faith) as in 1 Corinthians 1:10, exhort one another to continue in the faith, and endure to the end with the glorious expectation of inheriting Christ's Kingdom. They have come together to exalt God, train each other up, to love, encourage, to learn the Word and to break bread. (The Lord's supper)
There was no regard for any credentials of man from any Bible College; for there were none. The reliance was on a man's spiritual walk and gifts, not his supposed head knowledge. The only knowledge that was honored was the true knowledge which produces the fruit of righteousness and holiness in the life of the believer.
This went on until they had all parted and gone home with hearts rejoicing and yet serious with the great responsibility to be sober and diligent to seek the Lord and be ready for Jesus to come. They also knew that before Jesus would come, there was going to be a great apostasy from the faith and an antichrist system set up - (Today's false religious system's like the Roman Catholic faith/ evangelical denominational religion. ) The believers carried a heavy responsibility to defend the true faith against all the heretics of the day.
God forbid that Jesus should come and find them asleep, and then they would forfeit their opportunity to enter in with Him to the wedding; or that they should recant in time of persecution and torture -- for all this they needed to be sober and ready.
Note: I mentioned before that the women kept silent in the gathering when the men were teaching the Word of God. However, outside the church meeting/teaching, the mature Christian ladies were active in spreading the gospel and they also taught the younger to love their husbands, and love their children. This was not done in word only, but also in deed as they daily set this example before them. You would never find a woman teaching in the assembly, serving as elder/pastor, leading singing, singing special solos, or asking questions during the meeting. She could ask her husband, who could later ask the brethren. None of the brethren held "degrees" or were elevated above another in being called "doctor", "master", "rabbi", reverend or the like. They were all brothers filling their proper roles in the body, and Jesus was the only "head" and "Master". When everyone is content to fill their role, there is harmony and productivity in the body.
Every saint had a giving heart as they gave as the Lord had prospered them. Their money (no tithing/but from the heart giving) was used to take care of the widows/orphans within the church which had no younger family to do it; to support missionary gospel work; to help the poor brethren at home or in other churches; and to help support the workers so they could give themselves continually to ministry work and prayer, like the apostles. Elders followed Paul's example, and helped support themselves with the labor of their hands. There was not a "clergy"- "laity" distinction, as all the brethren were all "disciples". They were not building centered but Christ centered. There was multiple elders (what we would call pastors) and deacons who were godly men that oversaw the proceedings, not run it all. They did this more from the power of influence and example, than of the authority of position - though they did have authority when standing on a biblical principle to guide the body.
Yes, this is a simple picture of the order of the early church. They were not worldly or connected to the carnal culture around them. The people had crucified their affections and lusts, and were not fashioning themselves according to the former lusts in their ignorance. They lived holy and obedient for the Lord daily. Their money, time, material things, efforts and their every day was for Jesus Christ and His glory.
They were holy, separated people, but were humble. They welcomed the poor man in his rags. They preached to the publican and harlots, as Jesus and the Apostles had taught them, and were always ready to help the repentant. James had told them to never treat a rich man who came to their meeting better than a poor man in rags. Nor did they come to church to show off their riches and fashion. They lived simple and plain in protest to the worldly minded fashion and money hungry society around them.
They labored under adverse conditions, and history shows their success and heroic existence. They were truly hated of all nations, because they testified, like Jesus, that men's deeds were evil, and must be repented of. Many of them died and sealed their preaching with their own blood, just as the Apostles who taught them and Jesus, their Lord. Their holy lives were a continual prick to consciences around them. This provoked persecution and mocking. They were calling men to reconcile with God on God's terms; and this often ignites hatred and resistance from the rebellious.
IS THIS TRUE CHRISTIANITY LOST?
Not at all! Jesus will have a faithful remnant until He returns. There are believers today striving to live by the example of the early churches. God has always had a remnant of faithful followers. You can trace their existence often by the blood of martyrdom; but always by a life of holiness and godliness in submission to Jesus Christ.
These believers today are scattered through the world. You won't find them on the "Christian" TV, or radio. You won't read about them in the "top ten" best sellers at the "Christian book store". You will know them by the simple, holy life they are trying to live. Usually the most visible thing is the women's modest dress and veiled head. (Click HERE to read about headcoverings.) The men also dress modest, plain, loose untucked tunic like shirts and when doing spiritual business always uncover their heads.
God has a remnant today as he always has. If you are a true follower of Jesus you must separate from practices and groups that do not follow New Testament example and walk in all the light God gives you. If your body is willing to change and follow the New Testament example, then stay with it and help it; but if not, then you must leave it. ( See 2 Corinthians 6:17 )
You'll not find many things in the New Testament Church that you will find in man's modern religion today. You won't find programs, gyms, coffee bars, bookstores, "child evangelism" or "child baptism" or sports scores. You will find child training by parents who fear God. These parents won't send their children to a public school; but see it as a God given responsibility to bring up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As stated earlier, you won't find Calvinism, "eternal security", youth activities (family activities instead), or sinful lifestyles tolerated and excused. In a true NT body you should not find anything spiritually that you wouldn't find in the first century faithful churches. And, by God's grace, you'll find everything there you need to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You wont find a crowd, as a remnant is never agreeable to the main stream and Jesus said FEW.
Lets us know how we can assist you in anyway.
God be praised
www.dontperish.com
Many resources to help you here:
* In the gathering the ladies did not teach or speak God's Word /1 Corinthians 14
* There was NO modern pastor role / all men used their gifts and offered whatever God gave them to share/ 1 Corinthians 14
* In time.. multiple elders/deacons would oversee but NOT lord over others (elders and deacons had to meet all the requirements of scripture) (click HERE to learn about elders) / Titus 1
* Nothing was timed out but the Spirit was allowed to led / Romans 8
* Gatherings could last 1-2 hours or all day into the night
* The gospel to eternal life was preached often
* Holiness and obedience to God's Word is a big focus here / Hebrews 5:9
* The call to not be of the world is a key in the NT body / Romans 12:2
* There is no pulpit / just a family gathering to share love and God's truth
* Everyone gathered together including children ( no Sunday school )
* Wives asked their husbands questions at home / 1 Corinthians 14
* There was NO talk of the world or its ways/ God is the focus
* Any offering taken was used for needy saints and the gospel
* No dead formalism/ritual with one man running the whole show by a clock/bulletin
* Gatherings were orderly never confusing or out of control emotionalism
* No solo singers or entertainment of any kind is needed or allowed
Note: the purpose of all of this was to edify the body and train saints up for ministry / Ephesians 4
Those are the biblical standards/example we see in scripture for His NT body. If you claim to be His, this is your standard not the traditions of men that came along later and corrupted the truth into a lie so many keep each week.
This gathering was a special time for believers to draw closer together over the Word of God, become united (one in the faith) as in 1 Corinthians 1:10, exhort one another to continue in the faith, and endure to the end with the glorious expectation of inheriting Christ's Kingdom. They have come together to exalt God, train each other up, to love, encourage, to learn the Word and to break bread. (The Lord's supper)
There was no regard for any credentials of man from any Bible College; for there were none. The reliance was on a man's spiritual walk and gifts, not his supposed head knowledge. The only knowledge that was honored was the true knowledge which produces the fruit of righteousness and holiness in the life of the believer.
This went on until they had all parted and gone home with hearts rejoicing and yet serious with the great responsibility to be sober and diligent to seek the Lord and be ready for Jesus to come. They also knew that before Jesus would come, there was going to be a great apostasy from the faith and an antichrist system set up - (Today's false religious system's like the Roman Catholic faith/ evangelical denominational religion. ) The believers carried a heavy responsibility to defend the true faith against all the heretics of the day.
God forbid that Jesus should come and find them asleep, and then they would forfeit their opportunity to enter in with Him to the wedding; or that they should recant in time of persecution and torture -- for all this they needed to be sober and ready.
Note: I mentioned before that the women kept silent in the gathering when the men were teaching the Word of God. However, outside the church meeting/teaching, the mature Christian ladies were active in spreading the gospel and they also taught the younger to love their husbands, and love their children. This was not done in word only, but also in deed as they daily set this example before them. You would never find a woman teaching in the assembly, serving as elder/pastor, leading singing, singing special solos, or asking questions during the meeting. She could ask her husband, who could later ask the brethren. None of the brethren held "degrees" or were elevated above another in being called "doctor", "master", "rabbi", reverend or the like. They were all brothers filling their proper roles in the body, and Jesus was the only "head" and "Master". When everyone is content to fill their role, there is harmony and productivity in the body.
Every saint had a giving heart as they gave as the Lord had prospered them. Their money (no tithing/but from the heart giving) was used to take care of the widows/orphans within the church which had no younger family to do it; to support missionary gospel work; to help the poor brethren at home or in other churches; and to help support the workers so they could give themselves continually to ministry work and prayer, like the apostles. Elders followed Paul's example, and helped support themselves with the labor of their hands. There was not a "clergy"- "laity" distinction, as all the brethren were all "disciples". They were not building centered but Christ centered. There was multiple elders (what we would call pastors) and deacons who were godly men that oversaw the proceedings, not run it all. They did this more from the power of influence and example, than of the authority of position - though they did have authority when standing on a biblical principle to guide the body.
Yes, this is a simple picture of the order of the early church. They were not worldly or connected to the carnal culture around them. The people had crucified their affections and lusts, and were not fashioning themselves according to the former lusts in their ignorance. They lived holy and obedient for the Lord daily. Their money, time, material things, efforts and their every day was for Jesus Christ and His glory.
They were holy, separated people, but were humble. They welcomed the poor man in his rags. They preached to the publican and harlots, as Jesus and the Apostles had taught them, and were always ready to help the repentant. James had told them to never treat a rich man who came to their meeting better than a poor man in rags. Nor did they come to church to show off their riches and fashion. They lived simple and plain in protest to the worldly minded fashion and money hungry society around them.
They labored under adverse conditions, and history shows their success and heroic existence. They were truly hated of all nations, because they testified, like Jesus, that men's deeds were evil, and must be repented of. Many of them died and sealed their preaching with their own blood, just as the Apostles who taught them and Jesus, their Lord. Their holy lives were a continual prick to consciences around them. This provoked persecution and mocking. They were calling men to reconcile with God on God's terms; and this often ignites hatred and resistance from the rebellious.
IS THIS TRUE CHRISTIANITY LOST?
Not at all! Jesus will have a faithful remnant until He returns. There are believers today striving to live by the example of the early churches. God has always had a remnant of faithful followers. You can trace their existence often by the blood of martyrdom; but always by a life of holiness and godliness in submission to Jesus Christ.
These believers today are scattered through the world. You won't find them on the "Christian" TV, or radio. You won't read about them in the "top ten" best sellers at the "Christian book store". You will know them by the simple, holy life they are trying to live. Usually the most visible thing is the women's modest dress and veiled head. (Click HERE to read about headcoverings.) The men also dress modest, plain, loose untucked tunic like shirts and when doing spiritual business always uncover their heads.
God has a remnant today as he always has. If you are a true follower of Jesus you must separate from practices and groups that do not follow New Testament example and walk in all the light God gives you. If your body is willing to change and follow the New Testament example, then stay with it and help it; but if not, then you must leave it. ( See 2 Corinthians 6:17 )
You'll not find many things in the New Testament Church that you will find in man's modern religion today. You won't find programs, gyms, coffee bars, bookstores, "child evangelism" or "child baptism" or sports scores. You will find child training by parents who fear God. These parents won't send their children to a public school; but see it as a God given responsibility to bring up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As stated earlier, you won't find Calvinism, "eternal security", youth activities (family activities instead), or sinful lifestyles tolerated and excused. In a true NT body you should not find anything spiritually that you wouldn't find in the first century faithful churches. And, by God's grace, you'll find everything there you need to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You wont find a crowd, as a remnant is never agreeable to the main stream and Jesus said FEW.
"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Luke 3:9
If you are born of God.... do not run to a Sunday church but BE His body right in your home and in time you may have other saints with you! Be like Noah...faithful even if no one else is!
If you are born of God.... do not run to a Sunday church but BE His body right in your home and in time you may have other saints with you! Be like Noah...faithful even if no one else is!
Lets us know how we can assist you in anyway.
God be praised
www.dontperish.com
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