Why is it that twenty-first century “Christians” seek a form of Christianity so different than that of the first century? Man adds to and takes away from God’s word as if there were no warnings in scripture against such behavior (Rev. 22:18-19). If you look around in the church you have chosen to be a part of, what do you see?

Do you see a church like the one you can read about in your Bible? Do the members act like the Christians of the first century? Is the worship like that of the first century (at least the good and proper examples of it)? Is the Lord’s money being spent the way the first century saints spent it? Have you even considered that these things are prescribed within the pages of the New Testament?

I am not suggesting that we give up all modern living and imitate life as it was in ancient times. I am suggesting that we give up modern innovations to the way the Lord’s church is organized and operated! You might ask, “Why?”  The answer is simple.

The apostles, who labored to establish the church, were granted authority by Christ to teach and preach the things they did (Mt. 16:19). Their teaching was unified (1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 3:16). They taught the same things in all of the local churches in that day (1 Cor. 4:17). They beseeched the followers of Christ to stand fast in those things taught (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:15). They did this because this is what the inspiration of God taught them (2 Tim. 3:16). Jesus Christ wanted His church (Mt. 16:18) to have certain characteristics (Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Tim. 3:1-13). Furthermore, Jesus Christ wanted His followers to do as He commanded (John 14:15; 15:10). What has changed in the past 1974 years?

If Christ is the same today as He was in the first century (Heb. 13:8), and if the Gospel is the same today as it was in the first century (Gal. 1:6-10), why is it so difficult to find genuine first century Christianity today?

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