For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Savior, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. And the same should be true today. If we take Jesuss words seriouslyand our church budgets suggest that we dontour suburban churches might look a little different. Maybe Christians should serve in the military or use violence as a last resort to defend the innocent. Cross Life Company, Why Christians Must Continue to Guard the Truth of the Gospel Uncaged Lion. And this food is called among us [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. The same was true when the gospel was preached and obeyed in Philippi, Antioch, Thessalonica, Rome, etc. Everyone was a Priest. The world also quickly recognized there was something very different about these Christians. According to one statistic, 60 percent of confessing born-again Christians cant name five of the 10 commandments, 81 percent dont believe (or arent aware of) the basic tenets of the Christian faith, and 12 percent think that Joan of Arc was Noahs wife. ). They would have been mystified by our modern ability to own, read and yet neglect the priceless written word. Look at any church budget and youll probably find 1 or 2 percent of church funds allocated to benevolencehelping poor people in need. Is the Ecumenical Movement Biblical? When Claudius expelled all Jews from the city of Rome, however, only the Gentile Christians remained. First-century Rome was known to be filled with all kinds of decadence and immorality, from the brutal practices of the arena to sexual immorality of all kinds. It is when Jesus exhorted his disciples to do this in memory of me. While this first Eucharist was celebrated inthe context of the Jewish Passover, the early Christians soon distinguished themselves by offering the Eucharist on a regularbasis and developing their own traditions. For instance, the book of Revelation alone does not contain a single direct quotation from the Old Testament, and yet has more than 500 allusions to words or phrases from the Old Testament. This wasnt an option. Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? While programs and technology can make some of these things easier, the early Christians had a pure, simplistic approach. They assembled not as the end goal, but as a way to equip themselves to be the people God intended them to be and do the work God intended them to do. Christs teachings drastically changed their lives! Today, its buried under a pile of caveats and footnoteswe cant really love all our enemies. This website was how do I say it? Purpose-built places for worship did not come into existence until about the fourth century. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. Maybe Christians should serve in the military or use violence as a last resort to defend the innocent. Thank you! I cant wait to read much more from you. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.. Andy Mineo on How to Lose the COVID Fifteen, How to Get Into the Best Mental Health Shape of Your Life, 4 Ways to Give Before You Have Extra Money. I actually like what youve acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. Todays Church can learn something from the Early Church. I recently sat down for an interview with a host who expressed his concern about , Pingback: Cold Case Christianity: The First Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Desire to Learn the Truth | Truth2Freedom's Blog, Pingback: The Second Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Call to Strive for Unity | Cold Case Christianity, Pingback: The First Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Desire to Learn the Truth | Cold Case Christianity, Pingback: The Fourth Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Desire to Serve in Love | Cold Case Christianity, Pingback: The Fifth Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Commitment to Share with Courage | Cold Case Christianity, Pingback: The Third Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Decision to Live in Awe | Cold Case Christianity, Pingback: The Sixth Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Response That Overflows with Joy | Cold Case Christianity, Pingback: Why Christians Must Continue to Guard the Truth of the Gospel | Cold Case Christianity, Pingback: Why Christians Must Continue to Guard the Truth of the Gospel - Cross Examined - Christian Apologetic Ministry | Frank Turek | Christian Apologetics | Christian Apologetics Speakers, Pingback: Jesus' New Command (John 13,15) - Church of the Living God, Pingback: What Does Ecumenical Mean in Christianity? 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