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Our churches vs apostalic churches

Princess487

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2005
Messages
278
Hey, I just wanted to ask you all some questions. Do you think our churches today are similar to the apostalic churches or are they quite different? If you think they're different, How are they different? and how did it get that way? What do you think needs to be done to get to the same point the apostlic churches where at? just wanted to know. thanks
 
well it might be diffrent in many manners. it depends also what church you attend to. basicly there is no command to pray in synagouges nor churches. the opposite its suggested to pray in your own room. but if you talk about the old churches the main thing is that they were not churches.. and far from any type of normal prayer and worshiping place. they were usually get together in the belivers house to pray and some sentences were written on the walls. also i belive that many traditions added thorugh the generations made it a bit diffrent from how they practiced and whorshipped. in the most ancient church that was found (and got reburried becaue no one gave money to found keeping diggin' and make place and stuff that have some connection to the project) anyway it was some kind of building with many pictures of fishes (some good ones) and there was altar given by some roman soldier (he paid for building) and with the words "from X to the lord jesus christ" or something like that in greek. but its not apostlic church it was 200 hunderds years i think after apostles days. anyway many things chaned. also we have the new covenant (and the old covenant) they had only old covenant and few books that paul used to help explaining through them about Christ and some theories of their old belifes also without what we have today it was hard to know how to live with and through Christ and it was hard i figure to also be pastor (though God help them and chose them)
also it was illegal and the belivers were haunted every place they were in (and probably also out of) the roman empire.
now you have big variety of churches and pastors and groups. There lots of diffrencies between the ancient church and the modern church also its not a church its brotherhood its community church is just a building like the temple was after Christ was crucified.
 
Keeping in mind that I haven't been that active in church of late for various reasons. I do not believe taht the modern church is anywhere near the church of the NT, esp the book of acts. There is too much division on the body with each division espousing it's particular sets of doctrines as the way to the truth and salvation. That is just my personal opinion.

TheAJKMan
 
right now I am reading a book called "2000 years of charismatic christianity". i love history and i really wanted to know the history of the church, how it formed, and how the many different doctrines became. that book basically starts at the end of the apostle lives up to now. so basically from the first century until the 21st century. i was really surprised at some things, at many things actually. but if you're interested, you all could check out that book. it's really good. but many times, before i got a hold of this book, i would marvel at the things the apostles did. in John, Jesus himself said that we will do the works He did and greater works because He's with the Father. and in the last book of mark, i believe, it talks about the signs that will accompany every believer. that's every believer. Our church is so different from the apostalic churches. they had miracles, healing, raising the dead, and thousands of converts on a daily basis. in my church we loose members as the years go by and not gain thousands like we're supposed to. Jesus' last instructions before He ascended to heaven were, "go to all the world and preach the gospel". the church, for the most part, isn't doing that. Yes we attend church, we put a checkmark every sunday, friday/wednesday. but what about the rest of the week? I dont want to judge or anything, but out churches, for the most part, are dead. there is little if any manifistations of the Holy Spirit. churches are a place for socializing and sometimes to make money. it's all about business and socialization. and this isn't ALL churches. so dont take offence. but I was just wondering if any of you ever compared our church to the apostalic church. yes, there are many differences that i wish we could bring back. and we could. Do any of you have any idea how to bring that kind of "movement" or "church" back? just want to know your ideas and opinions. blessings
 
Here are my opinions:
first of all thousands didnt come to faith every day. thats for sure (in that rate all the world was saved back than) also the people who leave probably didnt had a bond to God. also i need to mention an article i read last year. some tribe in ethiopia a small one was kinda atheist well their leader rememberd that for generation's they were jews (actually ethiopians are Jews from Judah tribe if my memory isnot failing me) and he found an article of researchers about judaism and found a bible (old and new covenant) in the local language. he read it the article and the bible he and some others start to convert the people (to belive in christ also they didnt know that this is "unjew" to belive in christ) they were saved village-tribe until some ppl who are "jews" told them that its wrong.. and not jewish so slowly they became more like what we know it today as "jewish". but think about it! there are many people out there that didnt hear the word of God and wait to be saved! also if we talk about ehiopia i must mention that it might be one of the few churches that keep some thing close to the ancient church but still not very close and very far from what it was. (its like orthodox church but with many stuff from the old testment taking place but on the other hands they put "ark's of the covenants" in every new church and have some festivals)
also churches sholud be a gathering and socialize! to get to know more, to meet to pray and sing! i cant go to a church but i heard how some of them work hear. usually first singing then a prayer then bible study after that break to give books and info's to intersted people then again prayer/songs. some discussions.. once a week (only) i belive there is eucharist.
i think thats how it should work or was working.
anyway dont forget that many people belive they have guarente/insurance because they are born and have been baptised to christianity that this is it. they are saved and its no matter how they sin they still go to heaven (how pitty and they probably dont even know what even really is or about to be.)
 
Our Churches vs the New Testament church.

Hey, I just wanted to ask you all some questions. Do you think our churches today are similar to the apostalic churches or are they quite different? If you think they're different, How are they different? and how did it get that way? What do you think needs to be done to get to the same point the apostlic churches where at? just wanted to know. thanks


By and large, the church of today has drifted away from the first century model. One reason is that first century Christians had a felt need for God that is much deeper than that of the average Christian of today. For instance, medical science and technology have replaced God as the source of physical healing in western civilization. When we're sick, we don't pray to God for healing; we go to the doctor or hospital first.

We have grown independent of each other instead of being inter-dependent, like folks in the early church. Then, people interacted with each other much of the day every day. Today, we go to work, come back home, drive the kids to soccer practice, go back home and hide in front of the TV. Either that or we are so caught up in our careers and our personal lives that we don't take time even for members of our own families.

I also think that formal ceremonies have replaced heartfelt worship in many churches; too much ceremony,too much posturing, not enough Jesus.:sun: We've got to get back to keeping it simple. We've got to get back to seeing ourselves for what we are: broken and needy before God.

"You say, 'I am rich. I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes so you can see." (Rev 3:17-18)

SLE


SLE
 
Too much posturing, not enough Jesus.

That says it all.


The modern day model "church" message has become about SELF: "self/ be faithful in 'church' attendance, self/ invite other people to 'church', (so we can pride our-SELF on how many we attracted to our 'church'-SELF, self/invest yourself so you may receive returns of a hundred fold to self, not to mention... follow 'church' rules which propose to promote SELF appeal, and will make others want to be part of this 'church' (ex: self/listen to all the “right” music, read all the “right” books, drink all the “right” drinks, speak using the “right” lingo" so everyone you will know you are one of us/ SELF (self centered focus)

Christs message was and still is OTHERS: (Christs focus)


Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly I tell you, unless a person is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit." (no mention of numerical growth or attendance there)

And again: Joh 13:35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

And again: 1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love one another. The person who does not love remains in death.

To that I can only add, there are still multitudes and multitudes of the "one another" no different than those Christ lived and walked among, outside the segregated walls of the buildings or temples, or perhaps more aptly called clubhouses, we modern day disciples call 'churches.' Oh there are many who are invited to these 'churches' theres no doubt...but how many are invited to Christ (with no agenda but to have them meet HIM)...right where they are at?

I think the difference between now and then is we might have nearly succeeded in selfishly hiding the Light of the world behind the walls we have built, except God said He would have a church triumphant, and He surely will, as surely as He knows those who are His. But Jesus never once asked us to build walls, in truth He came to tear down the walls so the light of His saving love might shine in all mens hearts.

2Co 13:5 Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, do not you, that Jesus Christ lives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test?
I hope you will realize that we haven't failed our test.
We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong-not to show that we have not failed the test, but so that you may do what is right, even if we seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.
 
wow Coconut, there is so much truth to what you posted, i wish that more people understood these facts and more importantly That They Lived it
 
By the end of the first century the Ekklesia (church) was already turning from some of the apostolic teachings, which we can see in John's letters. By the end 2nd century there is already those who are fighting for control over this city and that city within the church, thus the office of bishop is born. This was also the birthing of the clergy/ laity system and the concept of church as an institution. By the third century, with the help of the Roman emperor Constantine ( christianity being his preference) the christian religion was now the trend, and it goes on from there.
 
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