This is just a few of the things that happen in churches today that were never done by the original Church, as recorded in the Word of God (I’m sure that many of us could name many more). Why they ever got started is anyone’s guess. But I would like to encourage all disciples of Christ to question any tradition, church function or religious phraseology that is not practiced in the Bible. Church is not about socializing, entertaining nor making money. Church is about saving souls, keeping them saved, and entering into the Kingdom of the only wise God through Christ Jesus. Each of these “terms” and “acts” will be discussed in more detail later in the book. So don’t get upset if you see something that you believe in. Check out what is further said on the subject later in this book.
1. The first Church never built a “church” building (according to the Word of God).
2. They never had a
-- bake sale
-- basement sale
-- passion play
-- rummage sale
-- bingo
-- barbecue
-- variety show
-- singles club
-- Easter egg hunt.
3. There never was a choir, music director, ensemble, trio, quartet, and no one ever got up and sang a special, according to our guide the Word of God.
4. They did not gather together to fulfill a scheduled weekly quota.
5. They never called a building “church.”
6. No one ever sat on a pew.
7. No one ever shook a new convert so that they would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
8. No one ever paid tithes.
These terms and phrases are not found in the Bible:
-- Where do you go to church?
-- slain in the Spirit
-- Holy Ghost giggles
-- service (as in attending a “service”)
-- Yield to the Holy Ghost!
-- Seek the Holy Ghost.
-- Let’s go to church!
-- Sunday School
-- Pulpit
-- Platform
We need to be very careful that what we are doing, teaching and even saying is truly according to God’s Word and plan. Please consider the following scriptures before following, teaching or saying something that was not done, taught nor said in the original Church.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians
5:21
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that
hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions
and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and
avoid them.” Romans 16:17
“And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but
they have sought out many inventions.” Ecclesiastes 7:29
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:9
After nearly 2,000 years since the Day of Pentecost, when the Church was born, some very questionable activities have crept into the Body of Christ -- things the Apostles never taught nor ordained, and the first Christians never practiced.