Comparison Of The Modern And Early Church Religion Essay

Explaining the strengths and failings of the early church, and how they compare to the church today ; it is a really interesting subject since it involves the history of what early Christians did for the constitution of the Christian motion today. Looking into the Acts of the Apostles, so much can be learned on how people dedicated their lives to the church during that clip.

A inquiry arises so inquiring, what is the church? Many readings have been said refering the significance of the Church. These readings can be traced back when Jesus declared to construct his Church upon the disclosure by Simon Peter that, when he said Jesus is the Son of God ( Matt 16:18 ) . Montefiore believes ; ‘the church can be considered fewer than two facets ; as an being and as an administration, without organisation, organisms die’1. Therefore, what is this being and how is it linked with the administration to do a church.

To get at the better decision of this affair, I will be sing the book of Acts to acquire the a ) background of the early church in Acts ; and the B ) account of what is the Church ; degree Celsius ) ; strength and failings of both the Early and Modern Church.

THE CHURCH DEFINED

The definition by Webster ‘s editors says: ‘A distinguishable organic structure of Christians holding a common religion and subject ‘ . In Grecian linguistic communication the word is translated as ekklesia, which means ‘called out ‘ . Therefore, there are twosome of things to look for, for the church to be established. Faith, subject, and standing out from the remainder. These account of what the Church is, gives an thought that, there are certain elements involved for a church to be established. Arguably, it means it should be made of people who follow Christ, holding one religion and being disciplined, already set themselves different from the remainder of ordinary people.

THE EARLY Church

‘All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other linguas as the Spirit enabled them ‘ ( Acts 2:4 ) . It was during the twenty-four hours of Pentecost which is believed the New Testament church was established. The Bible farther explains that, those who were gathered during the twenty-four hours of jubilation of Pentecost could non believe what they heard coming from the Christians who were filled with the Holy Spirit and talking in unknown linguas. But those who were gathered understood them, because they spoke in the linguistic communications. Unger remark that: ‘the new age of the Church was foretold by our Lord Himself and was ushered in at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given, received and deposited in the new people of God ‘ .

Chapter two of Acts poetries ( 42-47 ) , they explains what happened after Apostle Peter preached the good intelligence about Jesus and the figure of people who gave their lives to Christ, and repented from their evil ways. So this is the being and the administration, Montefiore was mentioning to, the Holy Spirit, which is Godhead and the people filled with this Holy Spirit to be administration.

The Acts of the Apostless of the risen Christ by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles are outstanding in the book of Acts. Evidence from this book shows strong scriptural strong beliefs held by the trusters of the community in Jerusalem, besides in the environing countries. This is how the early church began marshalled by the Apostles and I will look into inside informations, steps taken by this dedicated persons in Acts working together to set up a church and compare them with the church of today.

WHAT STRENGHTNED THE EARLY Church

Baptism

‘Those who accepted his message where baptised, and about three 1000s were added to their figure ( Acts 2:41 ) . Jesus himself edged his Apostles to travel to all states and baptise those who believe the good intelligence about his land in H2O. This was taken serious by the Apostles, as it was a badge for new trusters for belonging to Christ ; they did it in religion, even thou further instruction came after baptism, it was their believe that any Christian solider has the right be given full proper uniform.

The Apostles did all this because people repented, showed religion, they received the Holy Spirit and it proved to unify them strongly and convey them closer to each other which was what they wanted.

It is a different issue with the church today as most believe in supervising the ways of those who has given their life to Christ. The clip pass seeking to model a new truster into a mature Christian is the same clip lost to give the new truster the duty to recognize the of import regiment he joined in Christ. Baptism it a seal to those who accepted Christ and it was done by the church in Acts to stabiliser new converts, but today it is non practised at the right clip. Therefore, the new trusters are non united with other and they end up being lost back to the universe.

HOLY SPIRIT

Harmonizing to the histories of Acts, there is prove that, the people obeyed the Holy Spirit more than anything, and it gave them the integrity as a community. Holy Spirit spoke ( Acts 8:29, 10:19 ) and immediate response from those who were assigned by the Spirit to make something went on and accomplished the undertakings as trusters. Jews and Gentiles those who trusted in Christ were all given the Holy Spirit. This was so important since at fist Jew ‘s disapproved the Gentiles as God ‘s people ; but now because the Spirit dwelt in those who believed both are united and they were all called from indifference into integrity to function God by the Holy Spirit.

The church of today when looking back on how the church in Acts responded to the Holy Spirit it has some oculus foreheads raised. This is so because there are so many denominations under Christianity and they all have their ain beliefs. So they all have different reading of the Holy Spirit impact in the church and some even do non pay attending to it at all. He promised to direct a sympathizer to populate amongst Christians and he will steer them in their mundane life. This is what held the church in Acts stronger since they believed Holy Spirit and God are one. But that is being missed within different Christian religions today. Church members are controlled by their ain apprehension and intelligence, and those who claim to be controlled by the Spirit they ever find themselves in quandary of practical life and Religious life.

Family

Analyzing the Acts of the Apostles, it is apparent that a really strong family was established between Christian trusters in Jerusalem because of the love they had for each other ( Acts 2:42 ) . In John 1: 6-7, explains the fellowship rule of Christian life and it the same family the church in Jerusalem practised. They shared ownerships, sold belongingss to care for one another ‘s demands.

The family of the early church consisted different signifiers to do certain that everyone was involved in uniting the church. Personal attending which involved encouragement and advice from other church members, one on one with those they brought to church. Furthermore, they met in places so that others adjust to the new society. This led to a bigger and a welcoming church fold family, which everyone was used to one another and that strengthened the church.

Comparing what the early church practised in family with the church today, non much difference but there is deficiency of committedness. Barely members within the church family in places and if they do the figure is ever really little. No enthusiasm in promoting and assisting new converts to settle in with the new society.

WEAKNESS OF THE EARLY CHURCH

Major fazing concern with the church in Acts is the issue of favoritism. It is exposed by none Palestinian Jews who spoke against unfairness of day-to-day portion which was given out to church members. This caused statements and division within church members who were united by religion in Jesus. Even today favoritism is noticeable in the churches across, either because people come from same state, continent or same denomination, and all this bring failing in the organic structure of Christ.

Another short autumn from the crude church is the extension of love that Jesus summoned his followings to demo to their neighbors. It seems different with the church in Acts as the common love was foremost shown to those within the family of the church. This in other manner chased those who were willing to come to the church for the first clip as it made them experience unwelcomed.

Decision

Explaining the strengths and failing of the early church, compared to the church today is a really enlightening subject as it allows Christians to reflect on their intent in the universe. After confer withing different beginnings refering the subject, I have come to realisation that the early church was more profound in doing certain that the good intelligence about Jesus was spread without via media.

The instruction of the word about who Jesus is was so rich that, more and more people joined the church everyday. The family of church members brought light to the community as it influenced their manner of life. The church in the New Testament played their function to name out those who were in darkness to convey them to illume which Jesus promised them if they love one another.

Comparing both the early and the church today, really of import thing that should be learned is that the early church was so aroused to be followings of Jesus and they were spiritually motivated. Christians today need that exhilaration to busy their day-to-day life to laud Jesus because he is the beginning of life and the universe needs him at this age.