I have decided just to share with you my feelings. Of course they are guided by the principles of Scripture. I continue finding myself reflecting on the New Testament church and find myself grieved. While I see some glimmers of hope at times, I most often see emptiness. I urge you to read through the New Testament, especially the book of Acts. Try to become familiar with their mind set, attitude, and lifestyle. Church seemed to mean something so different then. Consider some examples of the New Testament church in action.

“But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43).

“And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59-60).

“Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come” (Luke 10:1).

“So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” (Luke 14:33).

“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14).

“And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42, 45-47).

“But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them…For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each as any had need” (Acts 4:32, 34-35).

“Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3).

Read Acts 15:1-35 and see how the church handled conflict with debate, but then an authoritative judgment was made based on Scripture.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; and not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (Romans 12:10-13).

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

The above is just a few examples of the early church through 1 Corinthians. There is still so much more. Read these passages over. I ask you, where do you see this today? While I will point out problems, I am not one to just complain. I am doing all that I can to see the Gospel proclaimed and see the above exist again more and more. No matter how small the progress may be or how slow it may be, I will continue to fight the fight of faith as Paul said (2 Timothy 4:7-8). My life is dedicated to this, will you dedicate your life to it? Part of this effort is found in the Effective Christianity Training class. Please join us some time. If you cannot attend the class, please email me at dannyleveck@gmail.com. I would love to hear some feedback and that others are responding to the message of the early church.