First Century Church in the 21st Century

FIRST CENTURY CHURCH IN THE 21ST CENTURY

By:  Randy Kea

Can we have the first century church in the 21st century?  Reproducing and duplicating New Testament Christianity in our day is not only possible, but absolutely essential if we would please God.

It is possible to be a member of the same church that Jesus built over 2000 years ago and that Paul, Peter, Philip, John, Stephen, and thousands of others were members of.  The Bible, the word of God, is the basis for this possibility (II Timothy 3:16-17; Matthew 24:35).  Let us note some characteristics of the first century New Testament church:

• The church is called the temple of the Lord (Ephesians 2:21), the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18, 24; Ephesians 1:22-23), the kingdom of God’s Son (Colossians 1:13-14), church of the Lord (Acts 20:28 ASV), churches of Christ (Romans 16:16).  (References made to people, not building.)
• Members of the church are called:  Children of God (Galatians 3:26-27), disciples, Christians (Acts 11:26), saints (Romans 1:7), members of Christ (I Corinthians 12:20-27), priests (I Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6).  Note that all Christians are considered priests and saints.
• Jesus Christ built the church (Matthew 16:18), is Himself the foundation of the church (I Corinthians 3:11), loved the church (Ephesians 5:23-25), shed His blood for the church (Acts 20:28), is the Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), gave the church its doctrine – the New Testament (Galatians 1:6-11; John 12:48; I Corinthians 14:37; II John 9-11).
• The church in the Bible has:  elders (also called bishops or pastors) to oversee the local congregation (Acts 20:17-28; I Peter 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-11; I Timothy 3:1-7), deacons to serve (Philippians1:1; I Timothy 3:8-13), evangelists to preach the word (II Timothy 4:1-5).
• The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47; Mark 16:15-16; the entire Book of Acts).
• The worship of the New Testament church is simple:  The Lord’s Supper and giving of our means on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1-2), prayer (Acts 2:42; Romans 12:12), singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), preaching, teaching, study (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 17;11).

The church in the Bible is so minutely described that there should be no mistake with regard to who is and who is not practicing New Testament Christianity.  Are you tired of following man-made creeds, human opinions, modern religious leaders?  Investigate the Church of Christ today.  Only the Bible is right, and we are only right when we follow it.