WHAT ABOUT WATER BAPTISM?

Water baptism is best described as an outward sign of an inward cleansing.  In the early church, baptism was the Christian's initial confession of faith in Jesus.  It was limited to believers and was by immersion.  It was done with little delay after one's conversion. (Acts 16:14-15; 16:30-33; 2:41; 8:12, 35-37). 

Today there are churches who baptize infants.  There is no support of infant baptism in any Scripture.  This is, therefore, something we ought not do.  Salvation is a personal experience and children must become old enough to accept salvation before they are commanded to be baptized.  Scriptures demand and teach faith and repentance as necessary before baptism, and this no child can do until he/she is old enough to understand what sin is and what to do to be saved.  An infant cannot confess Jesus as Savior.  An infant cannot repent of his/her sins.  An infant cannot make the choice to be baptized nor can he/she understand what it's all about.

Scriptures teach baptism is by immersion.  The Greek word for “baptize”, “baptidzo” which is is derived from the word “bapto”, means to dip, to sink, plunge, immerse, submerge and cover wholly with the element (water) used in baptism.  The Greek word “baptidzo” never means to sprinkle or pour.  Every passage of Scripture where this word in used, in the New Testament, either requires or allows the meaning of “immerse”.  Scriptural Examples:  Jesus - “In the Jordan” (Matthew 3:6), ”In the River Jordan” (Mark 1:5); "Went straightway out of the water"; Philip and the Eunuch “went down both into the water” and came “Up out of the water (Acts 3:38-39).

In the early church baptism was both an act of faith as well as an expression of faith.  We don't put much emphasis on water baptism today.  When did this change?

In the second century some influential Christians began teaching that baptism must be preceded by a time of instruction, prayer and fasting.  This became worse in the third century when converts had to wait three years before they could be baptized.  During this three year period their lives were scrutinized with a fine tooth comb.  They had to show themselves worthy to be baptized by their conduct.  At that point baptism had become an act based on works rather than faith.

The disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites believers with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and resurrection to new life.  Baptism symbolizes submission to Jesus, a willingness to live God's way, and identification with God's covenant people.

Water baptism is a step of obedience to the command of Jesus.  It signifies the outward cleansing of the inward man.  We follow the example of Jesus, Himself, in baptism.  Baptism symbolizes the death and burial of the old man (nature), and the resurrection of the new man (II Cor. 5:17; Romans 6:4-5).  

Again, in the early church, immersion was the recognized mode of baptism.  The early church understood baptism to symbolize the death and burial of the old way of life.  Coming up out of the water symbolized resurrection to a new life with Christ.  If we think of our old, sinful life as dead and buried, we have a powerful motive to resist sin.  We can consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature if they were dead.  We can then continue to enjoy our wonderful new life in Jesus.

If you're a Christian and you've not yet been baptized, I want to encourage you to take that step in your Christian life.  It's an important step to take.  It makes a powerful statement in your Christian walk.

Until next time, enjoy the journey!

Ray 


This blog post is another in a series looking at the practices of churches today and how they line up with the New Testament.  Perhaps this series could be better called, "Kicking Over Sacred Cows". For further reading and research, I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna.

I want to thank those of you who are sharing this blog with others.  I so appreciate it.  It's my desire to encourage and challenge believers everywhere to be the church Jesus has called us to be.  Leave the baggage of organize religion and serve Jesus in freedom following the leading of the Spirit as we gather in His name.  Please feel free to continue to post a link to this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or even email it by using the icons below.  Let's see what God will do!  

IS TITHING BIBLICAL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?

Is tithing biblical in the New Testament church?  Wow!  What a subject.  You talk about a hot topic!  So what's the answer?  In a word, "NO!"  I can see it now - some of you may have just spit whatever you was drinking or eating right at your computer monitor.  Now you have a mess to clean up.  

I want to address this issue in a serious manner.  Tithing does appear in the Bible.  So one could say tithing is biblical.  While tithing is biblical it is certainly not Christian.  You see, tithing was an Old Testament law that belonged to Israel.  It was basically like an income tax.  You don't find New Testament Christians tithing. 

Let's take a look at what the Old Testament tithe was. The word "tithe" means "tenth part".  God actually instituted three tithes for Israel as part of their taxation system.  First, there was a tithe of the produce of the land that was to support the tribe of the Levites. The Levites had no inheritance in the promised land.  This was God's means of provision for them.  Secondly, there was a tithe of produce to sponsor the many religious festivals in Jerusalem.  If the produce was too much for the family to carry to Jerusalem they were permitted to convert it to money and give the money in place of the produce.  Thirdly, there was a tithe of the produce of the land that was collected every three years for those in need.  These tithes consisted of crops, livestock and/or flocks, not money (except as previously mentioned).  When you add all these tithes up they average 23.3 percent of their income every year, not just the 10 percent we hear preached about today.

All these ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant were nailed to the cross at Jesus' crucifixion.  That's why we don't see Christians tithing any more than we see them sacrificing animals to cover their sins.  We're under a new covenant - a better covenant!  I praise and thank God for it!

Giving is taught and encouraged, but there is no mention of the tithe in the early church.  When it comes to giving, we see the New Testament Christians giving cheerfully according to their ability to give.  It wasn't a duty to them (2 Corinthians 8:1-13, 9:5-13). They didn't give out of a command.  They gave voluntarily to help other believers as well as to support the apostolic workers who were planting churches.  

Some today believe we should tithe to support our clergy system.  Of course, most who believe that are the so called clergy!  The argument they use is that the tithe should be used to support the ministers today just as it was used in the Old Testament to support the Levites.  Here’s a newsflash – today the Levitical system has been done away with!  We are all priests now.  Remember the priesthood of the believer?  Do you realize that ministers were unsalaried for the first three centuries?  The elders (shepherds) in the New Testament church were men with jobs.  They had their own vocations.  They gave to the church rather than taking from it.  So paying pastors really has no foundation in the New Testament.

The Bible does teach we are to give to support the Lord’s work and to give generously to the poor.  Beyond that, there is no support in Scripture for salaries, operational costs and building overhead.  And there is certainly no support for tithing in the early church.  Now if a Christian chooses to give ten percent or more out of a personal decision there is certainly nothing wrong with that.  You are free to give unto the Lord as you see fit.  The problem comes when tithing is taught as a commandment of God for the New Testament church.  That’s just plain wrong.

 

What about the poor?  Under the Old Testament system of tithing it was good news for the poor.  They benefited from the tithes.  In our day, however, mandatory tithing oppresses the poor even more as they are thrown into deeper financial debt as they strive to give their tithe.  The gospel shouldn’t be a heavy burden to the poor and needy – or anyone else for that matter.

In some institutional churches, today, if the church records don’t reflect that you tithe you cannot hold a ministry position in that church.  Never mind your love and commitment to God and the things of God.

 

Tithing has nothing to do with your devotion to God.  It was never reflected that way in the early church.  If tithing was an indicator of one’s devotion to God then the New Testament Christians must have not been devoted to God because all the biblical evidence we have shows they did not tithe.

God loves a Cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).  I've often told people, "Don't give if you're going to want that money back.  Don't give if you do so grudgingly."

Saying these things from the pulpit makes church leaders cringe!  That's good for them though.  It's fun to watch them.  At least I'm entertained by it. 

Let's be givers to God and His work.  Let's be givers to the poor and needy.  Give as you feel led to give.  You certainly won't hear me say anything about tithing!  I haven't believed in the tithe for many years.  

Let's enjoy the journey in the freedom Jesus means for us to have.

Ray

This blog post is another in a series looking at the practices of churches today and how they line up with the New Testament.  Perhaps this series could be better called, "Kicking Over Sacred Cows". For further reading and research, I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna.

I want to thank those of you who are sharing this blog with others.  I so appreciate it.  It's my desire to encourage and challenge believers everywhere to be the church Jesus has called us to be.  Leave the baggage of organize religion and serve Jesus in freedom following the leading of the Spirit as we gather in His name.  Please feel free to continue to post a link to this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or even email it by using the icons below.  Let's see what God will do!  

WHAT ABOUT OUR SUNDAY GO TO MEETING CLOTHES?

How much time do you spend getting ready to go to church on Sunday?  Some churches appear to be more of a fashion show with people making fashion statements with the clothes they wear.  Some purchase and wear the high-end brand named clothes.  There are those who paint their face on and  spray every hair in place.  After all, they muse, they have an image to uphold.  At the very least they can not let someone else look better than they do!  It's comes down to a "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality.

How many times have you heard, "This is God's house and you should dress appropriately."  Of course, that brings to mind the question, "Does God really care what we wear?"

As with most every other accepted church practice in today's modern church, dressing up for church is the result of Christians being influenced by their surrounding culture.  It appears the church has always been influenced by the culture around it instead of influencing the culture around it.  The church should be the influences! Here I go again, I digress.  

The "Sunday go to meeting" attire we see so common in our churches today has nothing to do with Scripture, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.  Does God really give a hoot about what you wear to church?  The Bible speaks of dressing modestly.  As long as everything that's supposed to be covered up is covered up who cares what kind of clothes you wear?  Does God expect us to dress like we are entering a beauty contest?  I sure don't see that in Scripture!  All this differs greatly from the simplicity of the early church.

Many, today, believe it is irreverent to dress in an informal manner when going to church.  Doesn't that sound like something the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day would say?  Especially since they liked to stand on the street corners with their long robes on to be seen by men.  Obviously this is man's idea not God's.

The early church met from house to house.  Do you really think they dressed up in their Sunday go to meeting clothes?  It was an informal gathering.  Do we dress up for the informal gatherings we go to?  I don't even wear a tie to our gatherings.  Jeans are common place in our gatherings.  It sure is more comfortable, too!

While we're on clothes, what about the "clerical garments" that some "clergymen" wear?  You know what I'm talking about?  The clerical robes and other garments that some ministers wear.  Can you guess where this had its origins?  If you said paganism you are correct.  They wear special garments to set them apart from the laity.  I don't recall reading about any of the early church apostles wearing special clothes to set themselves apart from the "common person".  Paul would have balked at such a thought!

Of course Jesus and His disciples never wore special clothing to impress God or to distinguish themselves from the people.  In fact, that's what the Scribes and Pharisees did. They wanted people to see and acknowledge them (Luke 20:46).

To be clear, there is nothing wrong with dressing nice.  The questions we should ask ourselves are 1) Are we dressing up to impress God?  2) Are we dressing up to impress others?  3) Do we look down on those who don't dress up for church?  4) Do we understand man looks on the outward appearance while God looks on the heart?

Let's follow hard after God - not man.

Until next time, let's enjoy the journey!

Ray

 This blog post is another in a series looking at the practices of churches today and how they line up with the New Testament.  Perhaps this series could be better called, "Kicking Over Sacred Cows". For further reading and research, I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna.

I want to thank those of you who are sharing this blog with others.  I so appreciate it.  It's my desire to encourage and challenge believers everywhere to be the church Jesus has called us to be.  Leave the baggage of organize religion and serve Jesus in freedom following the leading of the Spirit as we gather in His name.  Please feel free to continue to post a link to this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or even email it by using the icons below.  Let's see what God will do!

WHAT ABOUT THE OFFICE OF PASTOR?

I suspect this post has the potential of being a hot topic.  Some may disagree with me and that's fine.  You are entitled to your opinion - even if it is wrong!  (Sorry, just couldn't resist).  We're going to look at what has become known as the "office" of the "pastor" in today's modern church.  I'm not speaking of the person who fills this office but rather the "office" itself.

Today's pastor is the focal point of the church.  It has been said, "A good pastor will take a church a long way.  A bad pastor will wreck and destroy a church."  Remove the pastor from the equation and you will see a church struggle as they search for the next man to lead God's church.

Would it surprise you to realize there is no Scripture in the NT that supports the existence of the modern day pastor?  He didn't exist in the early church.  Again, we're talking about the role and office of pastor in today's church, not so much the people who fill that role.  The only place "pastor" appears in the NT is in Ephesians 4:11, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers".  This is the only verse in the NT where the word "pastor" appears.  The word is used in its plural form. It appears whoever these pastors are, there are more than one of them in the church.  There appears to be no support for the single pastor in the NT church.  The Greek word translated "pastors" literally means "shepherds".  This word "pastors" is a metaphor to describe a specific function in the church, not a position or office.  This idea of professional clergy holding a position of pastor was foreign to the NT church.  I have believed for a number of years that Ephesians 4:11 speaks of various functions in the church not offices or positions.
 

A shepherd's role is to provide nurture and care for the sheep.  First century shepherds were the local elders and overseers of the church.  That's different than what pastor has come to mean in our day.  

Mankind has for centuries wanted someone to lead them.  Even Israel wanted a human king instead of living directly under the headship of God (1 Samuel 8:19).  Along with man's desire for a human spiritual leader (does that sound contradictory to anyone else?) is his obsession with a hierarchical form of leadership.  We've brought in a worldly system to rule and lead God's church.  Does anyone else see the problem with this?

The NT never distinguishes between those who do ministry and those to whom ministry is done.  There is no clergy/laity distinction.  Its just not there.  Yet we embrace it while it literally chokes the life out of God's people keeping them from functioning as God intended.  

What ever happened to the priesthood of the believer?  The church today has become hierarchical with man as it's head.  Where does Jesus fit in to the modern church?  Or does He?

Being a pastor, in today's modern church, has become more of a career than a calling.  There are no second class Christians in the family of God.  There is go be no clergy/laity distinction.  God intends to for us all to function and minister to one another.  Check out the "one another" Scriptures and you'll get a better understanding of this. 

The church has become secularized.  Through the centuries pagan ways have crept into the church.  Having dedicated professional clergy is pagan not Christian.  Look at church history.

The apostolic workers of the early church would plant a church, leave and revisit that church after a period of time.  In their absence, God would raise up elders in the church.  It was a God thing!  This was a natural thing.  These elders weren't appointed or voted on.  They were recognized as elders by virtue of their spiritual growth, maturity and service to God and the church.  It’s a natural organic thing.  It wasn't meant to be a popularity contest like is so often the case today.

The modern day pastoral office hinders the fulfillment of what God intends for His church. "How so?", you ask.  I believe God's intent was and is for an every member to function under the headship of Jesus Christ.  I'm talking free, open, mutual participation - the body ministering to the body type gatherings.  As long as we set up a man to be the human head of the church we are limiting God's people from functioning as God intended.

Jesus gave His life for the church.  Let's not bind up God's people.  Let's turn them loose to function!  Let's turn them loose to minister to one another.  Let's turn them loose to be the church God intends them to be!

Until next time, enjoy the journey!

Ray

 
This blog post is another in a series looking at the practices of churches today and how they line up with the New Testament.  Perhaps this series could be better called, "Kicking Over Sacred Cows". For further reading and research, I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna.

I want to thank those of you who are sharing this blog with others.  I so appreciate it.  It's my desire to encourage and challenge believers everywhere to be the church Jesus has called us to be.  Leave the baggage or organize religion and serve Jesus in freedom following the leading of the Spirit as we gather in His name.  Please feel free to continue to post a link to this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or even email it by using the icons below.  Let's see what God will do!

SPIRITUAL WELFARE

One morning a couple of weeks ago as I was driving to work I received what I call an "inspired thought".  I believe it was inspired because I believe it came directly from God during my drive prayer time.  Knowing there was no way I would be able to remember it, I grabbed my handy dandy Blackberry and hit the voice note button so I could add it to my voice notes and come back and pick it up later.  It's a good thing I did that!  Sure enough, by the time I arrived at work I had forgotten the thought.  This old age thing is not fun in some ways!

The Spirit of God spoke these words in to my spirit that morning, "We want the benefit of God's blessing without having to live a life God can bless."  Is that profound, or what?  Again, you can tell this was an "inspired thought" - especially those of you who know me, huh?

Too often, we hear others share about how much they want to be blessed.  I do believe God wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed.  I've said that for years.  God desires to open the windows of heaven and pour it on!  Wow!  I get excited just thinking about that.  

The truth of the matter is we have responsibilities as Christians to live a life pleasing to God if we desire to obtain the blessings of God.  The problem is we want the blessings without the responsibilities.  It's like spiritual welfare!  We don't want to have to do anything, but we expect God to provide and take care of us.  We ignore Him.  We don't read His Word or talk with Him in prayer.  We don't want to live a life pleasing to Him, yet we want Him - in fact many expect Him  to bless them.  Not only bless them, but bless them in a big way.  

When God doesn't meet our expectations we complain about Him, His people, His work and then we do what people have done since Jesus walked this earth.  We find fault!  Here's a news flash - It's easy to find fault!  Anyone can do that.  

Of course, there's no fault to be found in Jesus.  It's easy to point fingers at others, too.  I submit if you really want to find fault, look in the mirror.  That's the best place to begin.  

If the blessings of God seem to be eluding you, how about a little soul searching?  How about praying what David prayed?  "Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:  and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting"  (Psalm 139:23-24).  I dare you to pray that prayer!  But be prepared for God to begin revealing things to you.  

Let's get off spiritual welfare, search out our lives, make things right with God, do our part and live a life God can bless and then watch see what God will do!

Until next time, enjoy the journey!

Ray  

WHAT ABOUT THE SERMON?

Have you ever sat in church and wondered if the preacher would ever get done?  Have you ever sat in church and got bored with the sermon?  Has there been many sermons that have truly challenged you to change?  I, personally, am easily bored in church - especially during the sermon.  It's hard to keep my attention.  Anyone else have that problem?

What about the sermon?  In today's institutional church setting the sermon is the focal point of the service. Today's church is often judged by the quality of the pastor's preaching.  Take the sermon out of the equation today and most don't think you've had church.

The fact is, today's sermon has no root in Scripture.  Would you like to venture a guess where it came from?  Dare I say it?  The sermon has its roots in paganism.  The reality is today's sermon actually takes away from the gathering of God's people.  Keep in mind the NT church gatherings entailed each member functioning - not just one.

Of course, the Scriptures do record men and women preaching and teaching.  I propose, however, there is a great difference between the Holy Ghost inspired preaching and teaching of the early church and the sermons that are preached today in our modern institutional church settings. We don't recognize the difference because we've been conditioned to try to fit our current church practices into Scripture.  Take a look at the NT preaching and teaching.  From Jesus to the apostles we see some good examples of what God intended. Consider, if you will, that NT preaching and teaching was sporadic, without structure and open to interruptions and discussion.

Looking at the Scriptures, we see the ministry of the Word came from the entire church in their gatherings.  Frank Viola and George Barna wrote in their Book, "Pagan Christianity", "From Romans 12:6-8, 15:14, 1 Corinthians 14:26 and Colossians 3:16 we see this included teaching, exhortation, prophecy, singing and admonishment.  This 'every member' functioning was also conversational (1 Cor 14:29) and marked by interruptions (1 Cor 14:30).  Equally so, the exhortations of local elders were normally impromptu."

The sermons that we see today are preached by the same person week after week with no opportunity for interruptions, questions or discussion.  There is nothing in Scripture to indicate the NT church did it this way.

The sermon became a regular in church meetings in the third century and by the fourth century it became the norm.  One must wonder if regular sermonizing didn’t take place until this time, and the first century Christians were not known for sermonizing then where did it originate?  Like so many other practices of the modern church the sermon was borrowed and adopted from Greek pagan culture.

Around the third century open meetings began to die out and the whole body functioning mutual ministry went with it.  Church gatherings became more and more organized and eventually became known as a “service” (from where we get our “church service”).  Sadly, by the fourth century the church had become fully institutionalized and the sermon replaced prophesying, open sharing and Holy Spirit anointed teaching.  Those who would bring forth the sermons had to be educated and skilled speakers.  The average Christian was no longer permitted to address the church body.

One man sermonizing actually stunts the spiritual growth of a church.  The thing that man has made the focal point of the church service actually does harm to the body of believers.  It’s not so much the message that does the harm as much as the fact it puts all eyes on one person – the person doing the preaching.  This leaves the congregation as spectators – nothing the early church would have done!  There is also no room to interrupt or ask questions of the preacher during the sermon.  The sermon is one way communication encouraging the congregation to sit and be passive.  You see, today’s sermonizing doesn’t allow for the mutual ministry that was so prevalent in the early church.  

As Christians, we must have the opportunity to function if we are to grow.  We don’t grow by sitting in a pew looking at the back of someone’s head and listening to someone else do all the ministry.  How can we learn from one another and even the pastor if we aren’t allowed to ask questions and spur discussion?  Remember the priesthood of the believer???

I truly believe the church needs a restoration of mutual ministry in our gatherings - the body ministering to the body for mutual exhortation and ministry.  How does this look?  How about when we gather we do so with the anticipation of every member sharing?  Maybe some will share what God has showed them or done for them since the last time they met.  Some may sing a song or share a poem.  There may well be teaching that will spark questions and discussion.  Perhaps it will involve praying one for another in a literal and practical way.  Do you get the idea?  The body ministering to the body makes everyone equally important.  There are no big I’s or little you’s.  Jesus is central!   This would transform our meetings which would in turn transform our lives as well as our churches!

Is preaching and teaching God’s Word biblical?  Of course it is.  But the pulpit sermonizing that takes place in our churches today is not the same as the preaching and teaching we find in Scripture.

Are you up for return to biblical gatherings?  Perhaps a return to biblical gatherings would usher in a move of God of biblical proportions!

Until next time, enjoy the journey!

Ray

This blog post is another in a series looking at the practices of churches today and how they line up with the New Testament.  Perhaps this series could be better called, "Kicking Over Sacred Cows". For further reading and research, I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna.

I want to thank those of you who are sharing this blog with others.  I so appreciate it.  It's my desire to encourage and challenge believers everywhere to be the church Jesus has called us to be.  Leave the baggage or organize religion and serve Jesus in freedom following the leading of the Spirit as we gather in His name.  Please feel free to continue to post a link to this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or even email it by using the icons below.  Let's see what God will do!

WHAT ABOUT THE "ORDER OF WORSHIP"?

Have you ever heard the word "liturgy"?  In a nutshell is means "order of worship"  All churches have an "order of worship" or "order of service" though some don't like to admit it.  Some have weekly bulletins, some don’t – but they still have their own order.  You can rely on it Sunday after Sunday.

It doesn’t matter what “flavor” church you attend – there is an order.  It matters not if it's Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Non-denominational or somewhere in between.  They all have an order of service.  In many cases it comes down to tradition.  Have you ever heard, "We've always done it this way"?  Don’t try to mess with tradition in some churches.  People take it rather personally.  

Some churches say, “We do everything by the Book.”  Oh really?  You can search your Bible from front to back and you will never find anything that remotely resembles an "order of worship" in the NT church.  It’s just not there.  The early church had no bulletin.  The early church had no set order of worship each time they met.  Can you believe it?  There was a great deal of spontaneity in the NT church.  Every member functioned – or had opportunity to function.  You sure don't see this today in our services.  You deviate from that bulletin and you will be reminded of it!

The early church believers were free to follow the leading of the Lord as opposed to a printed program (or an unprinted one for that matter).  The NT church gatherings were casual and often completely unpredictable. One man even set in the window sill when Paul was sharing overnight.  

The order of worship had it's origin in the Catholic mass which had it’s origin in ancient Judaism and, you guessed it, paganism.  No wonder today's church is so messed up!

In our order of worship today, preaching is the center of the church gathering.  Yet there is no Scriptural basis for this. This was the result of the reformation Martin Luther started.  Up to this point the Eucharist had been the central point of the gathering.  While the reformation brought some changes in theology, it brought little reform to church practices.

Shouldn’t we be emphasizing the centrality of Jesus?  After all, It's HIS church!

Today the pastor is the MC as well as the CEO of the morning service.  In most churches it has become a one man show.  What happened to the open participatory meetings of the early church?  Can we really say we are a NT church if we continue to do things “our” way?  This has to be a far cry from what God had in mind.  I propose that Jesus should be the leader, director, organizer and CEO of the church meeting when we gather – not some man!

Those gathered in our services, today, are mere spectators.  Our gatherings should be participatory events not a spectator sport!  We see from 1 Cor 12 that every member of the body is important.  God will speak through each member if they are given the opportunity.  He will speak through the entire body, not just one member.  The body functions best when it’s allowed to function under the headship and leadership of Jesus.  1 Cor 14 describes these types of meetings where every member has opportunity to function.

What about the somber attitude of most churches today?  Walking in some churches is like walking into a funeral home – and not much different spiritually, I might add.  If the people smiled they might crack their faces!  What’s up with that?  Some churches have broken away from this somber attitude, others still embrace it.  The attitude is, “Be quiet and somber. This is the house of God.”  Give me a break!  WE are the temple of God!  Not some building.  The JOY of the Lord is our strength.  Shouldn't we be joyful people?  Here I go again - I digress.

No matter what order of service you use in a church service, you won’t find it in the New Testament.  It’s simply not there.  Very few churches even allow a testimony time for the body to share.  Today we have gimmicks and models we use to “grow the church”.  These things are unscriptural.  These things depend on techniques rather than God to have the desired impact.  Psalm 127:1  “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that built it…”  Jesus, Himself, said, “…for without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).  The Bible should be our rule and guide to building a church.  Jesus is Head of the church, He knows what we need and when.

Looking back at the Liturgical history of various denominational “flavors” we can see over the past five hundred years the protestant order of service has changed very little.  And we wonder why the churches are in the condition they are in.  The biggest problem with the way we “do” church today is that it does not lead to the spiritual growth God intended.  Our order of worship is not conducive to the mutual participation gatherings of the early church where each member of the body functioned.  The body is forced to remain silent and become pew-sitters.  We have “professional clergy” thereby silencing those gathered.  “We mustn’t deviate from the bulletin” is heard by many.  The entire service is directed by one person often times without regard for the leading of the Lord.  When only one member of the body is leading the service you are limited to the knowledge, gifting and experience that person has.  Jesus has no freedom to express Himself through His body at will.  In short, our order of service does a disservice to the body and cripples the body of Christ through the limitations of the order of service.

For most Christians the Sunday morning service is very boring.  It’s predictable and lacks spontaneity.  It becomes very mechanical (going through the motions).  In the book, “Pagan Christianity?” Frank Viola and George Barna write, “The Protestant liturgy that you quietly sit through every Sunday, year after year, actually hinders spiritual transformation.  It does so because, 1) it encourages passivity, 2) it limits functioning, and 3) it implies that putting in one hour per week is the key to the victorious Christian life.”

The fact is, the order of worship churches have today does little to recharge the average Christian.  We grow best by functioning not by watching and listening.  Today’s church meetings are so far removed from the NT that, in most cases, even Jesus wouldn’t be allowed to have a say - and, I might add, He doesn’t!  Let’s be under the headship of Jesus when we gather.  Good things happen when we let Jesus lead!

Until next time, enjoy the journey!

Ray

This blog post is another in a series looking at the practices of churches today and how they line up with the New Testament.  Perhaps this series could be better called, "Kicking Over Sacred Cows". For further reading and research, I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna.

I want to thank those of you who are sharing this blog with others.  I so appreciate it.  It's my desire to encourage and challenge believers everywhere to be the church Jesus has called us to be.  Leave the baggage or organize religion and serve Jesus in freedom following the leading of the Spirit as we gather in His name.  Please feel free to continue to post a link to this blog on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or even email it by using the icons below.  Let's see what God will do!

QUIT DOING WHAT GOD NEVER TOLD YOU TO DO

What would happen if Christians quit doing what God never told them to do?  I know that sounds like an odd statement to make.  Think about it, though.  How many of us do things God never told us to do?  We even do things God never intended for us to do.  Yet we think we are doing God's will.

Sometimes people think we need more religion in our society.  As I look around, I don't really see a lack of religion.  What I see is a lack of real relationships with Jesus from those who are professing they are Christians.  You see there is a difference between professing and possessing.  Jesus told us true believers would be known by the fruit they produce in their lives. 

I believe a "Pharisee spirit" has permeated the church today.  In fact, I'd say this spirit has saturated the church.  If you recall, the Pharisees in Jesus' day thought they were really something.  They not only held to the law, but they also added to the law their own man-made rules and regulations for the people to follow.  It was quite burdensome.  Many so called ministers and churches in our day have added their own rules and regulations.  Anything to burden the people and keep them reliant on the "professional clergy". 

I have a habit of looking at church bulletin boards when I have occasion to be in one of their buildings.  Many years ago Cindy and I where in a church for a service.  As was my custom, I took a look at their bulletin board.  There was a list posted on the bulletin board that left me shaking my head.  You see, the pastor has posted a list of do's and don'ts you would have follow if you was going to be a part of this church.  Would it surprise you to know that very few, if any, of this pastor's rules had any basis in Scripture?  How pathetic is that?

We need to quit putting people in bondage!  We need to set aside our do's and don'ts and preach and teach the Bible just like it is to people just like they are.  Let God do the changing.  A relationship with Jesus brings freedom.  Freedom from the bondage of sin.  The gospel is not a negative thing, but rather a positive thing.  Too often we emphasize the negative.  I once heard someone say, "If we spend our times doing the do's we aren't going to have time to do the don'ts."  I like that.

How many times have you been told you need to go to church?  I appreciate the sentiment, but that's not exactly right.   God never called us to GO to church. He called us to BE the church.  Yes, we are to gather with other believers to encourage and spur one another on in our walk with God.  These gatherings should be something to look forward to not something to endure.  There's a lot of "one anothering" that should go on in our gatherings.  Here I go....I digress.  This is another blog post for another day.

Let's get back to the subject at hand. Trying to follow all the guidelines man puts on you will lead to confusion.  Scripture tells us God is not the author (originator) of confusion.  If God isn't in it than we don't need or want it.  How about we stop listening to man and start listening more closely to God?  After all, we are to be followers of God, of Jesus, not followers of man.

In upcoming blog posts we will look at a number of things we do that God never told us to do.  These are things He never intended for us to do.  We'll be kicking over "sacred cows" along the way.  I say enough of man-made ideas!  Let God be God!

For a more in depth study on these things, I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity?" by Frank Viola and George Barna. It will amaze and challenge you.  We need to be challenged to be the Christians God wants us to be.

If we quit doing what God never told us to do I truly believe the church would be more effective and have the freedom to have a greater impact in our world than we ever imagined.  Let's be the church God ordained us to be!  This has nothing to do with denominational labels or which man is going to be "in charge".  Jesus gave His life for the church.  He is the Head of the church.  If God wants me to be the toenail on the pinky toe of this body, then I'll be the best toenail I can be.  I'll be happy with that.


Until next time, let's enjoy this journey!


Ray