Looking for a 1st Century Christian assembly

The first century church operated in spiritual gifts, had a Jewish flavour, were a peculiar holy and good willing people amidst opposition. Paul the apostle met in large arenas sometimes, he debated, and preached in larger houses until the morning. He wanted them to rely on power for faith and not man's wisdom. The preaching was tested by the Old Testament.

The ancient church had the Didache and letters of Clement and Polycarp. Later some became anti-semitic. Like John Chrysostom.

The Spirit's power was evident and strong in the first century, and some of us practice the revival of this in Revivalism. Or Charismatic, Pentecostal churches. John Wesley hosted revival.

I think Sola Scriptura has very limited use and is often way off. We need a good dynamic Bible hearing and reading method that leads to moving in the Spirit or else like a Pharisee, we look into the law but do not find Jesus Christ or the Spirit.

GoldenKingGaze said:

we look into the law but do not find Jesus Christ

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Rather, as written,
Galatians 3:24 So the Law became our guardian to lead us to ...
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. Jubilee Bible 2000 Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. King James 2000 Bible Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:24 So the Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

yeshuaslavejeff said:

Rather, as written,
Galatians 3:24 So the Law became our guardian to lead us to ...
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. Jubilee Bible 2000 Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. King James 2000 Bible Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:24 So the Law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

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Hi Yeshuaslavejeff, here are the verses to the Pharisees I was quoting:
Joh 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
Joh 5:40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. ESV

People can miss the Spirit by not leaving the figurative boat, of Sola Scriptura.

GoldenKingGaze said:

Hi Yeshuaslavejeff, here are the verses to the Pharisees I was quoting:
Joh 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
Joh 5:40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. ESV
People can miss the Spirit by not leaving the figurative boat, of Sola Scriptura.

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Well, people mostly miss the Spirit anyway, no matter what 'school' of thought/ religion they 'trust in', eh?
TORAH leads to Christ, like a tutor guiding pupils , training them.
There's a lot of false ideas about so-called 'Sola Scriptura', same as other things.
The moderators of some forums have said even though Universalism is heresy exposed centuries ago, not everyone who holds to that heresy is lost - some might be 'trapped' in its errors, but actually (they say) may be saved to eternal life, just not free yet from UR.

i.e. some may hold to Sola Scriptura, yet for them is no problem at all - rather safer than many other schools of thought/ religion, that do not lead to Christ - rather away from Him. (considering 'Sola Scriptura' as Trusting the Father's Word, Torah, which as written the purpose is to lead to Christ, most positively!)

BFOJ said:

I have attended an independent Church of Christ, they taught pretty much what most other independent and Protestant churches teach. So, I continue my journey seeking that which is as the NT speaks of during the 1st Century, that prior to the influences I mentioned in a earlier post.

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I totally understand where you are coming from, because once upon a time I was in search of the "true" church and well the truth I discovered is that none of the denominations ever have or ever will have it all right. Even in the first century Christians disagreed on the non essentials of faith just like they do now. I think what the most important thing to look for in a church is Does this church preach truth? Is this church loving? Do they help you grow in your faith? Ultimately, I think that is what is most important when deciding upon a church. The real true church is not a physical building or denomination but the millions of people all over the world who have accepted Christ.

BFOJ said:

I am not looking for an institutional church such as the Catholic, Anglican, or any Protestant church. I'm looking for one that is soley based on the New Testament.

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Every church, institutional or not, claims to be based on the New Testament.

What do you want from the church? There is no such thing as a “true” church. What is most important is whether or not they are willing to help you grow in your faith and trust God. Hopefully these questions will help you figure out what you ultimately want-
1- Will the church help you in times of struggles and turmoil and distress?
2-Does the Church organise a variety of activities?
3- Will you make a effort to attend services frequently or not?

A church is like any other place of worship. Always remember that. When I was struggling with my faith I learned about the power of the church. One day I called the church and spoke with the pastor who prayed for our family. Attending church is not optional.
Figure out what you want.

The Corinthian Church was a 1st century Church with lots of problems. Are you sure you want to go there?

BFOJ said:

I just started to attend a new church recently, the denomination isn't that important since I shall remain non-denominational. It's been a few years since I was in fellowship with other Christians and I missed being with others to study the Word and the fellowship. A good step for me as I seek to end the backsliding.

However, what I'd really like to get involved with is a 1st Century Christian home church. Not sure how to go about that or even if there is such a thing nearby.

Are any of you part of such a movement? Have you read the book Pagan Christianity? If nothing else I'd like to spend some time conversing with others, even chatting if possible.

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Why don't you start a gathering in your own home so that you all can sit together like a family rather than lined up as an audience looking at the backs of each other's heads?

I never could figure out why audience style organizations like to call their main meeting a "fellowship". I never could figure out how anyone can possibly master the art of "fellowship" with the backs of other people's heads.

Jr.

SwordmanJr said:

Why don't you start a gathering in your own home so that you call can sit together like a family rather than lined up as an audience looking at the backs of each other's heads?

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Most large churches that I know also have small-group meetings in homes during the week.

BFOJ said:

However, what I'd really like to get involved with is a 1st Century Christian home church. Not sure how to go about that or even if there is such a thing nearby.

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That is a most interesting concept. You do realize that you will have to learn either Aramaic or Koine Greek (just joking). But you will at least not have to worry about a lot of doctrine.

Radagast said:

Most large churches that I know also have small-group meetings in homes during the week.

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Yes. That is a popular band-aid program many institutional church organizations have long since implemented to try and make up for the severe lack in their own centralized gatherings. It's akin to sticking one's finger into the fist-sized hole in the dam, and hoping that their finger is effective at plugging the hole.

SwordmanJr said:

Yes. That is a popular band-aid program many institutional church organizations have long since implemented to try and make up for the severe lack in their own centralized gatherings. It's akin to sticking one's finger into the fist-sized hole in the dam, and hoping that their finger is effective at plugging the hole.

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Rubbish.

JackRT said:

That is a most interesting concept. You do realize that you will have to learn either Aramaic or Koine Greek (just joking). But you will at least not have to worry about a lot of doctrine.

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I like the degree of absurdity you injected here to try and make meeting in homes sound like more of a social event club than a place where many more things can happen then just being an audience looking at the back of each other's heads in a dead, religious service where many people are drifting off to sleep.

Jr.

Radagast said:

Rubbish.

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Really. Are you saying that you have somehow mastered the art of fellowshipping with the backs of other people's heads?

SwordmanJr said:

I like the degree of absurdity you injected here to try and make meeting in homes sound like more of a social event club than a place where many more things can happen then just being an audience looking at the back of each other's heads in a dead, religious service where many people are drifting off to sleep.

Jr.

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Actually my wife and I met in a house church for a number of years --- it was a good fellowship of progressive Christians led by Bible scholar David Galston.

JackRT said:

Actually my wife and I met in a house church for a number of years --- it was a good fellowship of progressive Christians led by Bible scholar David Galston.

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I'm curious. What are "progressive Christians"? Is that similar to the political definition of a "progressive"?

Amy Sanger said:

That’s only possible if you have a time machine.

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Amy, that's not true at all. However, you personally may be in a circle of the kinds of people where your statement may be totally true.

Jr.

Amy Sanger said:

So you’re able to return to the 1st century?

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(snicker, snicker) Of course not. The topic had to do with first century style gatherings, not actually traveling back in time. You're the one who injected that into the thread.

The first century Church was a people who were transparent, and therefore open to TRUE fellowship in communal style living where they had all things in common.....something of which almost no church organizations today know anything about.

Your response tended to lend evidence to the idea that the circle of people with which you gather with are like closed books.....incapable of giving life to a true level of fellowship, so they only play with that term as if it ever applied to their audience-spectator style gatherings with everyone looking at the backs of each other's heads. Wow. Now THAT is fellowship.....right (rolling eyes to the ceiling)? THAT is interdependence.....right (rolling eyes to the ceiling again)?

Jr.

Oh, come on, Amy. Do you really think that person is so detached from reality that their meaning was exactly along the line of time travel. There are first century style Church gatherings in modern times, so time travel is unnecessary. Do you take the Bible literally in every place?

Let's keep our feet on the ground, shall we?

Jr.