CHURCH LIFE: THEN AND NOW
Church Differences EARLY CHURCH
Financial FREE WILL offerings taken
Contributions for the needy only, no
tithing (2 Cor.9:7). No
building projects to fund.
Members met in private
homes (Rom.16:5; I
Cor.16:19; Col.4:15)
Pastoral support Freewill giving, leadership
sometimes worked on side
(2 Cor.11:9; I Thes.2:9)
Church Authority Elders taught and led by
example, but all related to
one another as brethren
(Matt.23:8; I Pet.5:3).
Only ONE Lord (Eph.4:5).
Giving & Receiving EQUALITY of well-being
preached by Paul (2
Cor.8:13-15). All to have
the same care one for
another (I Cor.12:25).
Fellowship DAILY they fellowshipped
and broke bread from
house to house.
Christians shared
possessions and looked
after everyone’s well-
being. (Acts 2:42-47)
Attitude toward Compassion, in most cases
poor (James 2 rebukes certain
ones for favoring the rich).
Jesus never asked for
money for Himself, only
for the poor (Mark 10:21).
Jesus called the poor
blessed and said they
ALREADY possessed the
kingdom of Heaven (Luke
6:20).
Church Ministry EVERYONE had something
to contribute to service (I
Cor.14:26; Eph.4:16). No
mention of pulpits, pews,
etc. The word
“congregation” appears
only in Old Testament,
except for a gathering of
Jews in Acts 13:43.
Clergy-laity divide didn’t
exist in early church.
MODERN CHURCH
Tithing aggressively
taught. Non-tithers
publicly shamed. Money
provides pastor’s perks,
building fund, landscaping,
exciting programs, etc.
Leadership supported
mainly through tithes,
often live lavishly.
Heirarchy of MANY lords
run the institutional
church, from senior pastor
all the way down to the
deacon.
Poor pew members
support rich clergy.
Pastors drive fancy cars,
take exciting holidays, and
never stop begging for
more.
Churches divide into little
cliques which some can’t
fit into. Lonely folks leave
church to try to save their
faith. People say “hello”
once a week and that’s it.
Occasional potluck meals,
plays, concerts, etc.
Neglect, sometimes
scornful blame for not
“sowing enough seed”.
Poor depicted as faithless
second-class believers and
failures who don’t live like
King’s Kids. Every man for
himself. Pull yourself up by
your own bootstraps. God
helps those who help
themselves.
“Pew saints” only pray,
pay and obey. Ministry
done mostly by pastor,
visiting speakers and
“song leaders”.
Congregation are mostly
spectators. Even some
Charismatic churches
discourage spiritual gifts
out of fear of offending
visitors.
Evangelization Repentance toward God
and faith toward Christ
preached as ONLY basis
for reconciliation with God
and acceptance by Him
(Acts 20:21). Preaching
done in demonstration of
the Spirit and power (I
Cor.2:4-5). Real faith bore
witness of Christ
(Rom.1:8)
Moral Leadership Christ’s under-shepherds
commanded to be
husband of ONE wife and
set example for godly
living (I Tim.3:2,12; Titus
1:6-9)).
Ministry Same as above. I Pet.5:2
Qualifications forbids getting into the
ministry for money. Verse
3 frowns on spiritual
dictators. Preachers must
lead by example. Humility
and purity of heart a must.
Giving of Alms Peter didn’t rebuke lame
beggar for asking for alms
(Acts 3). Peter and John
truthfully said they had no
money. But they did get
the beggar healed. Paul
collected donations for
needy churches
(Rom.15:26; 2 Cor.8:7-
15).
Definition of Church The Body of Christ,
comprised of many
members gifted by the
Spirit of God to edify one
another in love and allow
the life of Christ to
minister in and through
them as they gather
together (I Cor. Chap.12).
Unconditional love of God
toward all men preached,
without mentioning “the
wages of sin is death”
(Rom.6:23). Sinners
entertained, not warned.
Positive messages only.
Hell and God’s wrath
against unrepentant
sinners seldom mentioned.
Powerless sermons, catchy
clichés, 7 keys to
prosperity, ABC faith
formulas, slick marketing.
God wants preachers to be
happy regardless of who
gets hurt. Repeated
divorces and remarriages.
Double standard. Single
mothers in congregation
often shunned instead of
loved and helped.
Personal magnetism, good
looks, beautiful face, sexy
figure, expensive attire,
success as an author or
seminar speaker. An
honorary (unearned) title
of “Doctor” doesn’t hurt.
Only half-hearted prayer
support usually given
needy Christians. It’s
cheaper. Preachers are
biggest beggars in church.
They solicit unscriptural
money tithes for a new car
or vacation. But poor
tithe-payers can’t get help
with heating or rent.
Actions speak louder than
words. Church is mainly a
social club for affluent
people who love only those
like themselves. Or,
“church” could mean just
the fancy building the
sheeple meet in.