First century church in the 20th/21st century

[Twinky]

The Way was fond of telling us we were living like the first century church in the 20^th Century. That we had all things in common (hence, Way home) etc – even though it was patently obvious that there were the haves and the have-nots within the Way – the Corps chalet that became an exclusive home for the Prez, for example.

Here’s a different view of the first century church. It was suffering from:

• Factions
  

• Sexual immorality

• Lawsuits among believers

• Ritual prostitution

• Sexual abstinence within marriage

• Eating food sacrificed to idols

• Chaotic worship

• Abuse of communion

• Abuse of spiritual gifts

• Arrogance not love

• Leadership disregarded

Yep, we really were the first century church in the 20^th century.

I went to the local Abbey, the local principal church, for the regular service last night. The service is very informal, and laid back. The preacher last night, Alan, is a notable theologian, well educated at various theological institutes; he is also entertaining and funny, very humble, and to the point. He’s great to listen to. He has a most interesting way of turning things on their head and making you see things in a different way.

The reading was from Acts 2:40-47 – the model church.

However, he went on to talk (in the current series, What’s so Special About … 1 Corinthians) about the early church in Corinth as portrayed in 1 Cor 1. He showed the above “qualities” which he addresses in the epistles to the Corinthians.

Be careful what you join yourself to (and be careful not to separate what should be joined) - we're one Body, not individuals to please ourselves. We have no status as individuals within the Body - we are all bought with the same price.

If you’d like to listen, here is a link: http://www.bathabbey.org/sites/default/files/140518-BTW-Alan-Garrow.MP3

Or go direct to the Bath Abbey website, find By The Way for 18 May 2014. The recording is a little quiet, especially the first few seconds, but well worth the listen. It’s not long, only about 20 mins.

[Broken Arrow]

Those are great points, Twinky. Many Christians seem to regard the 1st century church as some sort of standard that we all strive for. The Pastor of my church brought up the very same point and that is, the 1st century church was a mess and had a lot of problems, as does the church today.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Broken Arrow