"The good old days"

Perhaps you have heard Christians romanticize about the early church in the book of acts.  Maybe you have read Acts and thought “why isn’t my church experience like that?”  Acts is a broad but orderly overview of the first thirty years of the church born on the day of Pentecost.

It’s easy to glance at a popular ministry or minister and envy what you see.  Seldom is it obvious the price they paid to be that which you admire.  Certainly that is the case with the disciples and fathers of the early church.  John is the only one who died a natural death (not because Domitian didn’t try to keep the record).

The traditions, corruption and jealousy of the leadership in the established religious system of that day fought the new covenant church every inch of the way.  They stopped at nothing – no false accusations and no twisted doctrine were off-limits to trip up the young church.  The Sanhedrin defended their system while the new Christians defended their faith.

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.  Times change, people and systems change, but the age-old opposition to God’s Grace remains the same.  The reasons are not all that different either.  Self-serving leaders wield control over people by imposing difficult lists of rules.  Today people are invited to receive Jesus at an altar call, yet it’s not unusual for a preacher to dangle parishioners over hell weekly to scare the hell out of them.  The Bible says it’s the goodness of God that leads to repentance.

Jesus came to save the Jew first.  The “older brother” rejected Him as sure as the prodigal’s older brother.  Again, the names change, but the fact remains that God still loves the older brothers too, and He’s not willing that any should perish.

The “gospel” is supposed to be good news.  I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.  Why is it that people who must own the newest model of cell phone or current model car or latest fashion in clothes are so adamant about clinging to an old obsolete covenant relationship with God?

What we find so exciting as we read of the early Christians in the book of Acts was born of an atmosphere where people were so serious about a living vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ that they would let nothing dissuade them.  Well friend, Jesus is the same today.  He’s looking for a people who will worship Him is spirit and in truth.  Paul said in a race all run but one wins, run to win.  If it’s worth it to you to start the race, then stay the course, reach for the prize and defend the faith.  Let someone else warm the pew.  Amen?