Back to Basics — Basic 1st Century Church
We read a lot about “good Bible-based” Churches, or “teaching” Churches, or “good worshipping” Churches.
We read all about “Black” Churches or “white” Churches or “Asian” Churches or “Hispanic” Churches…..
May I ask where in the Bible is justification for all of this separation of tasks and of races?
I can understand a Church being predominantly black or white or Asian or African, but many of those Churches are closed to any but their “own”.
I was in the USA a few years ago and we went to a “good Church”. It was in a predominantly white neighbourhood but of the 1500 or so souls who rolled up on Sunday morning,
I counted just three non-white people. The neighbourhood was more mixed than that.
We noticed another smaller Church nearby. I was told that all the black folk went there.
Although there are many problems facing America right now, it does seem to me that racism and greed govern just about most things, even The Church.
Yet, what is the Biblical example of Church?
It is that ALL the believers gather together — not just the Jews, but Greeks, Romans, and all other races together?
There is no mention of a Jewish Church or a gentile Church or any other Church. It was just ONE Church.
There was Bible teaching —
AND prophesy,
AND evangelism,
AND healing,
AND fellowship,
AND a meal ALL together!
Not just teaching or healing or evangelism. Even today there are still only a very small number of meetings dedicated to prophecy — it is still regarded as too “spooky” for most folk, especially when God starts revealing things through the prophets.
And yes, the word used by many, even today, is ‘spooky’!
First Century Church was a family affair and it wasn’t limited to two hours on a Sunday morning either.
It was much more an all day event with a meal or perhaps meals for all present.
- It contained teaching,
- it contained healing,
- it contained prophecy,
- it contained evangelism,
- it contained prayer for needs and gifts to the needy.
- They looked after their own widows and orphans.
- They didn’t look at the size of your offering before deciding what help they might be able to offer.
- Nobody starved to death in the early Church.
- Nobody went without prayer for their needs and the needs of their family, neighbours, and friends.
Perhaps, no — definitely! — we have lost sight of the Biblical ideals of Christianity, because we do seem to retain an awful lot of things for ourselves.
We do seem to take a judgemental position before offering help.
I am not talking about our “missions-driven giving” as we do that quite well.
I am talking much closer to home — our own doorstep actually.
There is as much real need and suffering in our own back yard as there is elsewhere.
Don’t scoff at that — if you don’t know of any then you are not looking.
Yet most 21st Century Churches like to pretend it’s not there, or ignore it; ‘not in my back yard’ so as to speak.
Most of us prefer our all white, our all black, or our all whatever membership with many folk driving miles to get to the Church they want rather than supporting their neighbourhood Church.
Is it time to re-think our local tactics and bring them more into line with Biblical principles again?
With Revival on our doorstep, we’re not going to have time to pick and choose too much.
New converts need discipling, teaching, loving — the difference between religion and real faith.
God doesn’t look at anything except the heart. Not colour, not race, not wealth or poverty.
Social standing means not a thing to Him.
God is only concerned about your heart, and the First Church got that just about right — don’t you think?
~ Chris G. Bennett
Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.
As a pastor. Our Church is non denominational. Everyone is welcome. We have had orientals, backs, whites, addicts, alcoholics. Poor, and rich. And everyone that has come there was and is always welcome back. If they don’t come back. Then thats their decision. I wecome all to come.
The Acts Church was kind of segregated.
Peter preached to the Jews. Paul preached to the Gentiles. Why didn’t they both preach to both. Segregation. The Jews didnt bond with the Gentiles. The Gentiles knew they were not accepted by the Jews. Peter stayed in Jerusalem to preach to the Jews. Paul left Mars hill and went to the outer parts of the world. Because he was not excepted amongst his own people. The message that is. He said they were to superstitious. He marveled at there unbelief. Dont get me wrong other Jews were preached to. But most preaching were done amongst ones own kind it was always like that, and will always be like that. Until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I live in the southeast US. You saw what you saw, but it’s not what you think. First- the black people in America, especially in the south, have been fed a very steady diet of racism towards whites since Obama ripped open the civil rights scar. It had healed, and he cut it right open again. Sadly, the majority of blacks have taken the bait and now have a serious demonic hatred towards whites. I was shamed right out of a “black church” 4 years ago. It was awful. I grew up in the western part of the country and this didn’t exist.
Second- I have been called to at least 7 churches since moving from the west, and I walked in prophecy, healing, and deliverance. I served one youth ministry for 2 years and baptized many young ladies at our home discipleship group. Other churches were much shorter stays. All 7 asked me to leave. So, it’s not for lack of trying. Ive been on the frontlines of some of the most demonic persecution I could have imagined. You would not believe what’s actually happening behind closed doors in this country’s churches. They are synagogues of satan. The churches truly are Revelation 2 & 3. I’ve done everything I can in the last 5 years to bring the church of Acts wherever I go, and no one is interested. Mainly men. If the shepherds aren’t on board, there’s only so much the sheep can do. I do not see a turn around. I believe we’re done. Jesus will be back soon to fix it. Until then, one new disciple at a time.
I probably understand better than most British people as my wife is from Maryville, TN and many of our friends and family are from that area. I’m sorry for all you have suffered – we have too, but for different reasons, and not as severely as you.
God bless you
Yes they got it right and help us Lord to get it right
God continue to bless you Chris. Thank you for penning what we all need to be taken back to. The reason for the Church. It’s never been about “us” it has always been about God and what He needs in His Church. I don’t know exactly when the Church started on its own path but we need to get back onto His path and quickly.
Amen, amen, amen…..great post! I believe changes are coming very soon. People will say that’s it’s the devil attacking the church, but it will be Almighty God making the changes.
Right now it’s man’s version of the church, where there’s separation, various denominations, doctrines, teachings, sin, no repentance, etc. The church will go back to the basics as intended.
I’m watching and praying for change.
God bless