Restoring the Ancient Faith - Authority

We are all ruled by something or someone. Whether it be our values or our favorite hobby, there is something that helps shape our daily activities and actions. The 1st century Christians wer no different. Luke wrote that the early disciples, "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). They were totally commited to the apostles' teaching (i.e. the Word of God), and were not ashamed.

Today, there are various teachings being perpetuated by self-professed Christians that are never found in the apostles' teaching, which we commonly call the New Testament. (Paul called these writings the "Lord's commandments" - 1 Corinthians 14:37). Many are appealing to self-made opinions and "doctrines of demons" to justify their sinful practices. But in genuine New Testament Christianity, you find nothing of that sort. In the New Testament, you read of Christians spreading the "seed of the kingdom" everywhere they went (cf. Luke 8:11; Acts 8:1-5).

This is true because they reconginzed and acknowledged the authority of Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 28:18). He was their Lord, and they knew that the words that He spoke would be their standard at the personal and final judgment (cf. John 12:48). They didn't have "enough education" to out-smart the Savior, so they humbly submitted to His words as their measuring rod for everyday living.

They had no Methodist Discipline. They had no Catholic Catechism. They had no Baptist Manual. They had no Augsburg Confession of Faith. They devoted themselves to the gospel, the life-altering teaching that the apostles had been commanded by Jesus to proclaim (cf. Matthew 28:19; Romans 1:16). Peter said that the "word that remains forever" was the "good news that was preached to you" (1 Peter 1:22-25). The apostles preached the word, and people obeyed it as a result.

Paul said "whatever you do in word or action, do all by the authoriy of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). He recognized Christ's authority, and encouraged other Christians to do the same. Peter told Christians to speak as if they were speaking God's utterances (cf. 1 Peter 4:11). They knew they couldn't go wrong. They knew that God is incapable of lying and that the truth, when obeyed and relied upon, would set sinners free from the bondage of sin. God's Word was in their mouths and demonstrated in their lives.

For further consideration, read 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 John 1:9-11; Jude 1:3; 2 Peter 1:20-21; James 1:21-22.

Restoring the Ancient Faith - Emphasis

One prominent feature of the early Christians is their emphasis. As they preached in public places and private homes, they emphasized Christ and His message. In their everyday life, Christ was their all. Jesus meant everything to them.

He was the one that had obtained their salvation through His blood (Acts 20:28). He was the one who had unselfishly suffered physical death for their spiritual benefit. He was the one who lived a life of total righteousness so He could be an adequate sacrifice for their sins. They recognized His love and mercy, but they also acknowledged His authority.

In their preaching, Jesus was the subject. Phillip preached Christ to the Ethiopian nobleman on Gaza's road (Acts 8:35). Paul said, "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). These inspired evangelists knew too well all that Christ had done for them, and they were willing to spread His message wherever they went (cf. Mark 16:15).

The apostles were put into prison for preaching Christ (Acts 5:17-42). Stephen was killed for preaching Christ (Acts 7:55-59). John was exiled for preaching Christ . Leaders in Thessalonica accused the church of "turning the world upside down." But why? Because, they were saying, "there is another King but Jesus" (Acts 17:5-9). They travelled everywhere with Christ and His glorious gospel.

In their lives, their emphasis was Christ. Paul said that he was crucified with Christ. It was no longer he that lived, but Chist was living inside of him (cf. Galatians 2:20). In life, Paul spoke as Christ would have spoken, prayed as Christ would have prayed, and worked as Christ would have worked (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1). It was Christ living in him. His life was no longer his, it belonged to Jesus (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:20).

Because of their intense zeal and excitement for the cause of the Lord, the early Christians were willing to lose all for the sake of Christ (cf. Philippians 1:20). They sacrificed their possessions, their worldly pleasures, intimate relationships, false religion, time, jobs, all for Christ. Jesus was their emphasis. Jesus was their nucleus. Jesus was their all.

May we imitate their emphasis even today!

Restoring the Ancient Faith

In the 1800's. there was a movement that called people back to the New Testament pattern. The motto was to "speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent" (cf. 1 Peter 4:11). Their message was for people to unite behind Jesus Christ through obedience to His Word. Their cause was noble, and many of us are benefiting from their work even today.


Somehow, that message has been exchanged for soft and unsound teaching. Many have become "at ease in Zion" (Amos 6:5). They have become comfortable in large church buildings with more room than they know what to do with. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of the fundamentals of the faith.


In this series of thoughts, we will explore the idea of restoring authentic 1st century Christianity in the 21st century. Have an open mind as we prove all things concerning the ancient faith.

The Christians in Your Neighborhood

You see them every Sunday and Wednesday, pulling into their church building parking lot about fifteen minutes before services begin. Many of them stay hours afterward in the same parking lot, talking about everything, from religion to their new granddaughter’s first steps. Most of them carry a Bible, and bring along the whole family, from ages 8 to 80. Some of them drive the newest Cadillac, and others are dropped off in a car that looks like dumpster material. On the outside of their church building are these words: Church of Christ. Who are these people? What do they believe? Are they a denomination? Let’s get some accurate and truthful answers concerning this subject.

We love God. If you ever walk into one of our weekly meetings, you will hear us sing songs like God Is Love, To God Be the Glory, How Great Thou Art, and Our God, He Is Alive. These heart-felt hymns and spiritual songs reflect our recognition and appreciation of God as the Creator and Originator of life. We love God because of the love He showed the human family so many years ago by sending His only begotten Son to Earth to die for our sins. John wrote,“By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins”(1 John 4.9-10).

We earnestly strive to show our love to God by keeping His commands, which are revealed in His Word, the Bible (John 14:15).

We worship God. Jesus Christ said, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). As Jesus commands, we worship God in spirit and truth. We come together every Sunday (many of our members affectionately call it “the Lord’s Day”—Rev. 1:10) to remember the death of Jesus Christ through eating the Lord’s Supper, to study the Bible while one of the men delivers a lesson, to sing songs of praise and encouragement, to give a monetary contribution, and to pray to our heavenly Father (Acts 17:11; 20:7; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 1 Thess. 5:17).

You will not witness crass emotionalism, entertainment, or error being practiced or taught during our worship (1 Corinthians 14:40). Also, we will not embarrass you by asking you to make a statement before the congregation, or being pressured to participate in worship (but feel free to!).

The Bible is our guide. Jesus Christ, in prayer to His Father, said this, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17 ). Paul wrote, "All Scripture is breathed out by God...” (2 Timothy 3:16). James wrote, “Therefore laying aside all filthiness and that which remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). We respect these statements wholeheartedly and express, as the psalmist did, “My heart stands in awe of Your word ” (Psalm 119:161).

Usually, you will find Bible classes suitable for every age group, from 90-year-old Granny, to little 9-month-old Johnny. We encourage you to bring your Bible, but if you do not have one, there is most likely a copy of it in the book rack on your pew. During the preaching and teaching, follow along with us (Acts 17:11). If you have a problem finding a certain book, chapter, or verse, feel free to ask one of the members to help you. Also, you will find tracts and booklets in the foyer, covering a variety of relevant subjects.

We are not a denomination. Luke wrote, “The disciples were first called Christians, by divine revelation, in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Peter said, “But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Peter 4:16). We rejoice to carry in our hearts and in our lives the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). We find no shame in simply bringing glory to God by being the church of Christ (Ephesians 3:21). Christ never promised to build any denomination, and we gladly live as members of the church that He did promise to build (Matthew 16:18; Psalm 127:1). With Christ as our Head, we cooperatively function as His body (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18).

Our allegiance is to no organization of human origin—whether convention, synod, council, or religious society, because our allegiance is to Christ and Him alone, because of He alone has obtained our salvation (Acts 20:28). We function as a totally independent congregation with elders shepherding and deacons serving (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). We have no earthly headquarters—our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). None of the elders or deacons wears any special religious titles or clerical robes. No seats are reserved for anyone special, so sit anywhere you want.

We love you. Be prepared to receive handshakes and hugs when you visit! John wrote, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). Paul said, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7 ESV). You will be treated with respect and dignity because many of us were visitors at one time, too!

“...All the churches of Christ send greetings” (Romans 16:16).