Articles
The Original Church
The Original Church
By Doy Moyer
We sometimes hear talk about finding the original church. In the search for the original church, we may then make the mistake of thinking that we can find a line of churches that go all the way back to the 1st century to prove which one is the right church. Besides conflating the universal and the local senses of “church”, the mistake is in thinking horizontally instead of vertically. No one can trace some pristine, unbroken line of churches in a linear fashion back to the apostles. That's not how this works. Further, churches and movements through time often moved away from the teachings of Christ. Even if we could prove an unbroken line of churches, it would not prove that we are the correct church (universally) because we could be part of an historical line that moved away from the truth over time. However, it's not an unbroken line of churches that we are to be looking for, and this complicates matters far too much.
What is vital is fellowship with God, and we can learn the teachings of Jesus through the apostles and seek to follow those now. This is not some search for an original line of churches; this is a search for God, the purpose for which we are made (Acts 17:27). We are attempting to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). This is something every generation can do regardless of the state of churches up to this point. Being part of the original church (universal), then, is not about membership in an unbroken line of congregations, but rather being one of Christ’s disciples in whatever time we live. If every linear path of churches failed through time, we can still open God's word to follow it now. The call of the gospel is reconciliation with God. As Paul said of their work in the 1st century, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2Cor. 5:20). We do well in seeking to mirror this today. Reconciliation with God is true restoration.
Ten Reasons Why Christians Do Not Attend Dances
1. Because the main purpose of the event is to do something God condemns - committing lasciviousness (indecent dress, touching, and/or body movements that stir up lust). (Gen. 39:12; Matt. 4:3-4; 5:28; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:17; 1Thes. 5:21-22; 1Tim. 2:9-10; 1Peter 4:3-4).
2. Because we don’t want to support/embolden/encourage those who are sinning by our attendance (1Cor. 10:23-33; Eph. 5:11-12; 1Tim. 5:22; 1Peter 4:4; 2Cor. 6:14-18; 2John 11).
3. Because we don’t want to give anyone, whether Christians or non-Christians, the impression that we condone sin (1Cor. 8:9-13, 10-23-33; Eph. 5:11; Rom. 14:7, 13, 16; 1Peter 2:12).
4. Because we don’t want to be tempted to sin,or tempt others to sin (Joshua 7:21; 2Sam. 11:2-4; Matt. 4:3-4, 14:6, 18:6-7; Rom. 13:14; Phil. 4:8; 1Thes. 8:5, 5:22; 2Tim. 2:22; 1Peter 2:11; James 1:13).
5. Because God wants us to protect our reputations which will also cause Him to be glorified (Prov. 22:1; Ecc. 7:1; Matt. 5:16; 1Cor. 6:18-20, 10:31; 1Tim. 4:12; 1Peter 2:12).
6. Because we must be holy - different from the world (Ex. 23:2; John 17:17; Rom. 6:1-23, 12:1-2; 2Cor. 5:17; Titus 2:11-14; 1Peter 1:15-16; James 1:27; 4:4, 7; 1John 2:15-17).
7. Because we would rather seem strange to the world than be strangers to God (Matt. 7:21-23; John 15:18-19; Acts 17:20; Eph. 2:12; Titus 2:14; James 4:4; 1Peter 2:9-12, 4:4; 1John 2:3-4).
8. Because we absolutely hate evil, knowing that sin is what caused our Savior to die the most excruciating death (Psalm 119:104, 128; Isa. 52:14, 53:3-11; Matt. 26:28; 27:24-54; Rom. 1:32, 5:8, 12:9; 1Cor. 16:13; 2Cor. 5:21).
9. Because we are in love with righteousness, knowing that our God is the embodiment of righteousness (Psalm 116:5; Rom. 12:9; 1Cor. 13:6; Heb. 1:9).
10. Because we love God more than anything/anyone, and our greatest desire is to be in Heaven with Him (Ecc. 11:9; Matt. 6:33, 22:36-40, 25:34; John 12:48, 14:1-6; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Phil. 1:21; Col. 1:5, 3:1-3; Heb.11:13-16; 1Peter 1:3-4; 2Peter 3:10-13). (Jason Patrick Hilburn)
Acts: A Book of Church Firsts
Acts 1 - The first day the apostles worked without Christ
Acts 2 - The first day of the church
Acts 4 - The first treasury
Acts 5 - The first persecution
Acts 6 - The first helpers
Acts 7 - The first martyr
Acts 8 - The first non-Jews and first non-national salvation
Acts 9 - The first apostle chosen to be sent to Gentiles
Acts 10 - The first Gentile salvation
Acts 11 - The first defense of duty and first naming of Christians
Acts 12 - The first king destroyed who had opposed the church
Acts 13 - The first missionary journey
Acts 14 - The first mention of elders appointed in every church
Acts 15 - The first epistle
Acts 16 - The first European mission
Acts 17 - The first preaching of the Gospel to pagan intellectuals
Acts 18 - The first preaching of the Gospel in the immorality capital of the world (Corinth)
Acts 19 - First city riot over the preaching of the Gospel
Acts 20 - First written authority for communing every first day of the week
Acts 21-24 - First successful civil defense of a Christian
Acts 25-26 - The first king to hear the Gospel
Acts 27-28 - The first time civil leaders defer to a Christian’s council
A Moments Wisdom
--It seems like some people always have the roses while others are always picking the thorns.
--It’s a strange life. You can skate on thin ice and end up in hot water.
--Never go out to meet trouble. If you will just sit still, nine times out of ten someone else will intercept it before it reaches you.
--The man who fiddles around seldom gets to lead the orchestra.
Upcoming Sermons
7/30/23 AM - Milk Drinkers and Meat Eaters; PM - When Lying Feels Right
8/6/23 AM - “The Memorial of Christ” (A Worship Service Dedicated to the Lord’s Supper); PM - Monthly Worship in Song - Themed Singing Service: “The Lord’s My Shepherd”
8/13/23 AM - Shaking Hands with a Leper; PM - “I Quit!”
8/20/23 AM - God Wants All of Us to Be Saved; PM - When Love Facilitates Sin
8/27/23 AM - The Bible Plan for Personal Peace: Things Persons at Peace Refuse to Believe; PM - The Bible Plan for Personal Peace: Things People at Peace Do Differently Than Others
