BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS – Part 2
By W. G. Guy
What was an early church gathering like? Most likely it was not anything like we experience in churches today; regardless of what denomination it belongs to, or even if it is independent. We need to recognize that such early church gatherings were small groups, and were held in people’s homes.
Romans 16:3-5 – Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
1 Corinthians 16:19 – The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Thus you did not have pews where people’s views were the backs and heads of those in front of them. It is very likely that they sat around in the main room of the house; possibly even in a circle where they could all look at one another. This way it was easy to see, hear and recognize those who had something to say, or a message, or a song.
This is indicated as the apostle Paul described as the conduct of a church gathering or service. Generally, there was no single preacher unless there was a special traveling minister, like Paul, or the others listed in the New Testament that traveled about to minister.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33 – How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Note also what is denied today in most church services:
1 Corinthians 14:39 – Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
In such a service, the opportunity to speak was given to all. This allows for personal testimonies which are an encouragement to others, and is a very powerful witnessing tool. This gives a chance for others who have a song to sing; a prayer to pray, or to recognize a person in need to be ministered to. This has been referred to as “body ministry” since all believers are called to be ministers, to serve one another. This does not happen in typical church services today.
Each local church, or assembly, was led by two or more elders that oversee the gathering. They were recognized for their faith and spiritual maturity, and were relied on for guidance in the truth of the ministry of the Word, and in the care of the body of believers, as being shepherds of the flock.
The LORD has given the ability to all believers to minister to one another with various gifts of ministry. Not only did He provide the supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit, (described in1 Corinthians 12:8-12), but He also provided us with what can be called the “Grace Gifts”.
Romans 12:4-8 – For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
So everyone has an opportunity to serve as God has given the ability. But the church of today does not permit this to happen as everything must be thoroughly controlled by the pastor. Thus the Spirit is “quenched”.
A church service in the early days was mostly spontaneous; that is except for when God’s called and anointed gift ministers visited to teach: the work of the apostle Paul being an example.
Acts 20:6-7 – And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow;
In addition, services were not for set lengths of time, like one hour as is done today: to fit a TV schedule, or other time constraint. Such services lasted until the vital message was presented, or until all who had a message were able to speak,
Acts 20:7-9 – and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep,
In the early church services, the Gifts of the Spirit, and the Grace Gifts were permitted to operate. Thus the power of God was present in the early church, and this is what was said to “turn the world upside down”. The problem we have in most churches today is that this divine power of the Holy Spirit, and the Grace Gifts, are not permitted to operate. Thus the churches of today are lacking the power to turn the world upside down; this is because so many of them deny the power.
2 Timothy 3:1 & 5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (This is talking about the church in the last days not being faithful to what began at Pentecost.) …having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Jesus addressed this condition of end-time apostasy with its lack of faith and prayer of power.
Luke 18:1-8 – And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Finding faith, and being faithful to the LORD, His Word, and in prayers of faith, is essential for the life of the believer: especially in these end-times. It is the lack of faith and faithfulness that is called apostasy, “falling away from the faith”.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 – Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, …..
The question is; how is the church going to return to what it was like at the beginning? There certainly is no desire for people to change the way we have church at present. Not only that, but most people are comfortable with the way we have church: it’s the only way that we are familiar with; so why change the status quo?
Is it likely that such a change will be forced upon the Body of Christ; and that change will be caused by persecution from a corrupt government with its accommodated Institutionalized Religious System. This I.R.S. may be the Beast system of the Book of Revelation which creates conditions that in the last days will cause “a falling away first”. Such a “falling away from the faith” will likely be caused by such persecution as Satan puts forth all his effort to steal, kill and destroy, (John 10:10). The conflict will intensify as the coming of Christ draws nearer.
Revelation 12:10-12 – And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our
God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Daniel’s prophecy of the end-times declares that there is such a warfare against the true believers. This war is led by the Beast System of corrupt man’s government and the religious system of the spirit of Antichrist (the I.R.S.).
Daniel 7:19-22 – Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; and of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Revelation 12:17 – And the dragon was wroth with the woman (Israel), and went to make war with the remnant of her seed (Christians), which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
It is important to note that persecution never hurt the true church. Instead, persecution purified the church, getting rid of what did not belong. It also made it stronger in faith to persevere and overcome. Such persecution will drive the church “underground”, to meet in people’s homes, in private. Then we will rely more on the Holy Spirit, and we will see the real power of the Holy Spirit operate on behalf of His people. Then they will have a far greater influence on those nearby than is happening with the current state of the church.
The church that Jesus is returning for will likely be as it was in the beginning: full of faith, with prayers of faith, and the power of the Spirit of God, with His Gifts, and the Fruit of the Spirit. It takes the Holy Spirt to complete the work that Jesus began because man cannot do it by himself. As it was in the past, so it shall be in the last days.
Luke 17:26 – And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
What were the days of Noah like? They were filled with violence and corruption that raged against the righteous Noah.
Genesis 6:12-13 – And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Being led by the Holy Spirit is essential in these last days. The LORD will direct His church by His Spirit.
Zachariah 4:6 – …..This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Believers may have a hard time accepting what is coming upon the earth that will oppose them: but we were foretold that these things shall be.
Matthew 10:22 & 28 – And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. ……. 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
1 Peter 4:12-13 – Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart’ amnd lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Is your church living and walking in the power that changes lives? Does it have a positive influence on others, and the world? Are you walking in faith, in prayer and in His power? Are you seeking your life and your church to be like those in the early church, who “turned the world upside down”? Be prepared; watch and see, as the true church goes back to the way it was. You should be a part of this church!
