Church
Part I
By Peter Anson
Over the last few weeks there has been a thought on my mind concerning church. I am writing this article not to tear down the ideal of having church, but just to provoke thought and discussion. Many of you that know me, know I am often one to provoke thought and debate. Because of this, I know that there are some who are concerned about what I believe, and has labeled me as a rebel. None the less, I have been doing a lot of reading and deep soul searching.
I grew up in church and have been faithful so far all of my life. I can honestly say over the last 40 plus years since it has been my choice to attend. (Before that I went just because I was told to) I can count the number of times I missed going to church outside of circumstances that prevented me on my fingers. I grew up loving the Lord and the ministry. I knew beyond a doubt, I was called to ministry at a young age. I was taught by the church, the creeds, doctrines, and traditions. I followed ministries, learning from them the ways of ministry. I worked personally with ministers and learned about methods and, how they lived their own lives outside of the church walls. There are things I have seen, heard, and experienced, that have caused many of a church member to quit. With this said, I still believe in the ideal of church, and understand it is not a building, a person, or exclusive to one kind of faith. But, today I am beginning to develop a new understanding of church and maybe even take another look at what a church should look like. How it conducts services, the profession of clergy, and even the message it declares. Over the thousands of years since its beginning it has gone through many changes, but at its core it has managed to hold unto some truths and a lot of tradition. Even when a new move, reformation would happen it still would carry over many traditions without even considering the truths behind them. So lets have a talk about church, truth, and tradition.
(Mat NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades (death) will not overcome it.
The Greek word here is ekklesia: a popular meeting, espec. a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members).
I think I am safe to say that in biblical context it is a community of believers or the whole of all those that believe in the gospel message of Jesus. This speaks a since of unity, and cohesiveness to the gospel truths of who Jesus is. This should also speak to us about a bigger picture here, rather than a large or small group contained in four walls. That all of us are a part of something that is bigger than us, a church building, denomination, or a set way of worship based on years of tradition. Every person is a part of God’s plan to bring His work to completion in the last days. (This can be another whole subject for later)
(Eph 4:13-16 NIV) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. {14} Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. {15} Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. {16} From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
This whole chapter of Ephesians speaks a volume of truth, but I want to try and stick to my thought. So let’s look at a little history.
Jesus founded the church in the book of Acts, His disciples stayed true to the message He gave them before His death and resurrection. This became a growing community of believers that at first were solely made up of Jews. Only later in Acts 10 was any gentile a part of this community. All they preached was backed by signs and wonders just as Jesus had promised. They were fulfilling the commands of God in spreading the good new message. (What that message was is another great topic) The world was taking notice and was in awe of what was happening. They were fulfilling the scripture. There was unity and cohesiveness in the church. Now how they were conducting services is never fully shown in the scriptures, other than we know there were preaching (teaching, giving speeches), praying, some psalms, and laying on of hands. But, as to the order of these churches we have no clear picture. There were leaders and followers, along with all who would allow God’s spirit to move upon them. They had fellowship dinners (called communion) and went from house to house daily or as often as they could. (Acts NIV) Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
So, let’s stop here and be honest with each other, most of what we do today calling it church is based more on traditions than anything else, good or bad. Jesus told us that the world would know we belonged to him by our love rather than our style. (John 13:34-35 NIV) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. {35} By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." In history we can see the church has greatly failed in this area. The largest part of all wars in the last two thousand years has been over religion, and most of those among the church. The church has fought over theology, practice, doctrines, and methods. We have drug each other out of church services, beat and killed each other over our differences. Each one believing they had a God given right to do so. The enemy of the church has from the beginning tried to keep it from truly being what God intended let’s look at what they dealt with in the Bible. (1 Cor 1:9-13 NIV) God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. {10} I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. {11} My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. {12} What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas "; still another, "I follow Christ." {13} Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? (1 Cor -19 NIV) In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. {19} No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. Yes even then they were being divisive.
Over the years in talking to many people it is no wonder so many people do not wish to be a part of the church. In just recent history (last hundred or so years) we have seen many new church movements, and teachings. (If I can say a good share of them has been rooted in false doctrines and have done more harm than good) We have seen the face of what we call church change but still at its core are rudiments of man made traditions. From buildings, style, methods, and how we see one another, and the work of salvation. There are small churches, to mega churches all claiming to understand and know what is the right way of doing things. Which way is the best way to reach the preverbal lost. Determining who is going to heaven or hell. By their set rules deciding who is right and wrong. Then there are those who refuse to go there at all and decide truth is only revalent and everyone is right. In the mean time the gospel of Christ is suffering and people are dying not knowing truth. Are we willing to rethink church, or keep doing it the way we have always done it? This is what I would like to take a look at and be willing to talk about it. In continuing articles I want to look at the structure and methods that have been rooted in traditions. We should also take a look at the things that have divided us and how our western culture has affected our churches. I want to also talk about the ministry, such a preachers, messages, their groups. I will welcome your comments and ask you to be civil in doing so. Part II next week!
(1 Cor NIV) So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
(Eph 1:22-23 NIV) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, {23} which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
(2 Cor 4:1-4 NIV) Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. {2} Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. {3} And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. {4} The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
