Should I be like Paul? Should I be like Peter? Should I be like John? Should
my church gathering be like the church gatherings as described in Acts?
Should my church gatherings be like the church gatherings as described
by Paul? Should my church gatherings be like the church gatherings that I
grew up in? Should my church gatherings be like the church gatherings
that I eventually changed to?
You know, there's not "one" given
way to do it. There is not "one" way to minister to others. There is no
specific church "model" in the Bible. There is nothing that says you
have to do it exactly this way or that way. Sure, you can look and see
how they did it in Acts. You can look and see how certain issues were
dealt with by Paul and the others. But in doing so, let the SPIRIT be
your guide. It's not WWJD. It's what is Jesus doing NOW.
One
time (that we know of) Jesus got out a whip and started turning over
tables. One time (that we know of) Paul "withstood (Peter) to his
face." One time (that we know of) the people of the church sold what
they had and shared everything in common. But were these things
patterns or designs of how the church should do things from that point
on?
Christ is in you. Listen to Him. Walk with Him.
Sometimes (that we know of) Paul went to Jewish synagogues and talked
with people. We (generally) don't do that today! We have church
buildings, podcasts, radio and TV ministries. There were no church
buildings in the Bible. There were no podcasts in the Bible. There
were no radio or TV ministries in the Bible. But yet it's the way that
God has led people to do things today. It's neither "right" nor
"wrong." It's just the way people do things. It's OK.
Do you
see what I'm getting at? Just be who YOU are in the body of Christ (and
let others be who they are). You don't necessarily need a specific
model or program or pattern. As the Spirit leads, it just works!
Yes. We write e-mail, e-epistle.
ReplyDeleteWe are in e-church!