church then and now

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  • 8/9/2019 Church Then and Now

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    Church Differences EARLY CHURCH MODERN CHURCH

    FinancialContributions

    FREE WILL offerings takenfor the needy only, notithing (2 Cor.9:7). Nobuilding projects to fund.Members met in private

    homes (Rom.16:5; ICor.16:19; Col.4:15)

    Tithing aggressivelytaught. Non-titherspublicly shamed. Moneyprovides pastors perks,building fund, landscaping,

    exciting programs, etc.

    Pastoral support Freewill giving, leadershipsometimes worked on side(2 Cor.11:9; I Thes.2:9)

    Leadership supportedmainly through tithes,often live lavishly.

    Church Authority Elders taught and led byexample, but all related toone another as brethren(Matt.23:8; I Pet.5:3).Only ONE Lord (Eph.4:5).

    Heirarchy of MANY lordsrun the institutionalchurch, from senior pastorall the way down to thedeacon.

    Giving & Receiving EQUALITY of well-beingpreached by Paul (2

    Cor.8:13-15). All to havethe same care one foranother (I Cor.12:25).

    Poor pew memberssupport rich clergy.

    Pastors drive fancy cars,take exciting holidays, andnever stop begging formore.

    Fellowship DAILY they fellowshippedand broke bread fromhouse to house.Christians sharedpossessions and lookedafter everyones well-being. (Acts 2:42-47)

    Churches divide into littlecliques which some cantfit into. Lonely folks leavechurch to try to save theirfaith. People say helloonce a week and thats it.Occasional potluck meals,plays, concerts, etc.

    Attitude toward

    poor

    Compassion, in most cases

    (James 2 rebukes certainones for favoring the rich).Jesus never asked formoney for Himself, onlyfor the poor (Mark 10:21).Jesus called the poorblessed and said theyALREADY possessed thekingdom of Heaven (Luke6:20).

    Neglect, sometimes

    scornful blame for notsowing enough seed.Poor depicted as faithlesssecond-class believers andfailures who dont live likeKings Kids. Every man forhimself. Pull yourself up byyour own bootstraps. Godhelps those who helpthemselves.

    Church Ministry EVERYONE had somethingto contribute to service (I

    Cor.14:26; Eph.4:16). Nomention of pulpits, pews,etc. The wordcongregation appearsonly in Old Testament,except for a gathering ofJews in Acts 13:43.Clergy-laity divide didntexist in early church.

    Pew saints only pray,pay and obey. Ministry

    done mostly by pastor,visiting speakers andsong leaders.Congregation are mostlyspectators. Even someCharismatic churchesdiscourage spiritual giftsout of fear of offendingvisitors.

    CHURCH LIFE: THEN AND NOW

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    Evangelization Repentance toward Godand faith toward Christpreached as ONLY basisfor reconciliation with Godand acceptance by Him(Acts 20:21). Preaching

    done in demonstration ofthe Spirit and power (ICor.2:4-5). Real faith borewitness of Christ(Rom.1:8)

    Unconditional love of Godtoward all men preached,without mentioning thewages of sin is death(Rom.6:23). Sinnersentertained, not warned.

    Positive messages only.Hell and Gods wrathagainst unrepentantsinners seldom mentioned.Powerless sermons, catchyclichs, 7 keys toprosperity, ABC faithformulas, slick marketing.

    Moral Leadership Christs under-shepherdscommanded to behusband of ONE wife andset example for godlyliving (I Tim.3:2,12; Titus1:6-9)).

    God wants preachers to behappy regardless of whogets hurt. Repeateddivorces and remarriages.Double standard. Singlemothers in congregationoften shunned instead ofloved and helped.

    MinistryQualifications

    Same as above. I Pet.5:2forbids getting into theministry for money. Verse3 frowns on spiritualdictators. Preachers mustlead by example. Humilityand purity of heart a must.

    Personal magnetism, goodlooks, beautiful face, sexyfigure, expensive attire,success as an author orseminar speaker. Anhonorary (unearned) titleof Doctor doesnt hurt.

    Giving of Alms Peter didnt rebuke lamebeggar for asking for alms

    (Acts 3). Peter and Johntruthfully said they had nomoney. But they did getthe beggar healed. Paulcollected donations forneedy churches(Rom.15:26; 2 Cor.8:7-15).

    Only half-hearted prayersupport usually given

    needy Christians. Itscheaper. Preachers arebiggest beggars in church.They solicit unscripturalmoney tithes for a new caror vacation. But poortithe-payers cant get helpwith heating or rent.

    Definition of Church The Body of Christ,comprised of manymembers gifted by theSpirit of God to edify oneanother in love and allowthe life of Christ tominister in and throughthem as they gathertogether (I Cor. Chap.12).

    Actions speak louder thanwords. Church is mainly asocial club for affluentpeople who love only thoselike themselves. Or,church could mean justthe fancy building thesheeple meet in.