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"Will the real New Testament church please stand up?"
The internet is replete with churches and denominations that claim to be the New Testament church. Further investigation, however, reveals that there is a significant disconnect between their understanding of doctrine and practice. While their doctrine might be congruent with the apostolic teaching of the New Testament, their practice clearly does not originate from the apostolic tradition of the New Testament. Without scriptural precedent, there are many today who rightfully question the practice of the modern religious church. Inconsistent with New Testament revelation, its practice can be difficult to explain, rationalize or reconcile. Indeed, it often provides more questions than answers. For example: What is the purpose and mission of the modern religious church? As demonstrated by spending and predominant activity, what is the primary emphasis of the modern religious church? Why does the modern religious church have a “service”? What is it designed to accomplish? What is the origin of church buildings, pews, pulpits, and “services”? Why is teaching the primary ministry of the modern religious church? Who is responsible for protecting and preserving the doctrine of the modern religious church? Has the modern religious church “service replaced the personal presence and ministry of Jesus Christ to His body”? Why has the celebration of the Lord’s Supper become a somber ritual? What happened to spiritually gifted “every member ministry”? What happened to loving, corrective church discipline? Why are most modern religious churches unable to fund outreach and missions? Why is the typical modern religious church unable to report one new conversion annually? Why is the modern religious church largely ignorant about its spiritual enemy and his schemes? |
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Questions about the practice of the modern religious church are plentiful. They exist because modern church practice is very different from the practice of the church described in the New Testament. Some of the differences can be clarified as follows:
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According to eternal plan, God began planting the seeds of reformation for the church on earth more than 1000 years ago. His reformation of the church was designed to occur through five interdependent stages. Progressive in nature, each stage of reformation would demonstrate the selfless love, unfailing mercy, and absolute justice of God.
The five stages of divine reformation were initiated by the restoration of access to divine truth (approximately AD 1000 to 1500). It was foundational for the second stage, known as the Protestant Reformation (AD 1517-1648). It served to reform church doctrine but had little to no influence on the reformation of church government, function and form, or practice. The third stage of church reformation occurred during the 18th and 19th centuries. Characterized by the progressive reformation of church government, it was accomplished by two “Great Awakenings” and a number of “revivals.” They encouraged the church to turn from dependence on state government and its rule by priesthood or clergy and turn to greater dependence on the indwelling Spirit of God and His governance by the rule of indwelling life (zoe). Initiated in the mid-20th century, the fourth stage of divine reformation addressed church function and form. As a result, the church began a gradual return to facilitating the practice of intimate fellowship with the Spirit of God through the form of a spiritual body. Historically speaking, the reformation of access, doctrine, and government came first. They provided the foundation for the reformation of church function and form. It clarified the need for the reformation of church practice. Initiated by God in the late 20th century, the reformation of church practice remains a work in progress. Concordant with the eternal plan of God, it will soon be completed. Each stage of the progressive reformation of the church has served the eternal purpose of God. They have allowed Him to reveal the attributes of His nature in heaven and on earth in a decisive manner. |
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Many books have been written in the last 75 years about the original practice of the New Testament church. Included is the “The Real New Testament Church.”
“The Real New Testament Church” examines fundamental church doctrines such as kingdom and covenant; law and life; works and grace. It reveals the original function, form, purpose, mission, and manifestation of the church on earth. Further, “The Real New Testament Church” explores the life of the church, its divine calling, the relevance of the “kingdom of heaven” parables, church composition, the critical importance of women, and more. Corresponding with its exploration of early church doctrine, “The Real New Testament Church” investigates the original practice of the early church. It discusses topics of relevance such as church governance, the application of apostolic teaching and tradition, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, giving, and church growth. “The Real New Testament Church” also furnishes an in-depth discourse on spiritual warfare, church reformation, and many other matters of practical importance. “The Real New Testament Church” provides a view of the church largely unadulterated by religious tradition, organizational strategy, and cultural influence. Therefore, it offers solid answers to questions often left unanswered by traditional theological systems. If you want to learn more about reforming the church to New Testament standard, please follow this link to "The Real New Testament Church". Without financial obligation to the reader, it provides a comprehensive view of early church doctrine and practice. |
