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The early New Testament church gathered consistently. In agreement with apostolic teaching and tradition, their gatherings were intentionally Christ-centered and Spirit-filled.
Christ-Centered The Christ-centered gatherings of the early New Testament church did not involve singing, teaching, giving, or praying about Christ. Constituting a performance for Him and thus, it would have been the equivalent of dead, religious works. The practice of the early church was significantly more satisfying than a religious performance for Christ. It was a privileged celebration in which the immediate, living (zoe) presence of Jesus was central. Rather than taught about in church gatherings, Jesus was the teacher. By the fullness of His indwelling Spirit, He personally taught and ministered life (zoe) to the body of His ecclesia. Rather than sung about, the early church worshiped in song with Jesus. It was dynamic and interactive. Therefore, worshipping with Jesus was not just singing for the sake of singing. Instead, it presented an intimate form of fellowship between the Head and body of the church. By dependent faith, worshipping with Jesus was guided by the immediate presence of His indwelling Spirit. Consequently, interaction between church Head and body in song was personal and intentional. Rather than giving for Christ, the giving of the early church was a prayerful, interactive endeavor. Consequently, Jesus was allowed to direct its giving. Therefore, the cheerful giving of the early church was fruitful. Christian community was cultivated and multiplied, and individual and collective need were satisfied. Rather than prayed about, Jesus Christ was personally pursued and addressed by prayer “in the Spirit.” Originating from the Spirit of Christ, the prayer of the church body was in conformance with the will of God. (cf. Romans 8:26-27; John 14:13; 15:7; James 4:3; 1 John 5:14) As a result, the prayer of the early church was eternally significant. (1 John 5:14-15) The early New Testament church did not gather to hear about Jesus Christ or to perform for Him. Instead, inclusive of spiritual family, every practice of the collective church body was designed to welcome the pursuit of Jesus Christ. By grace through faith alone, the collective gatherings of the early New Testament church were an intimate encounter between the living (zoe) Christ and His beloved body. From the midst of His body Jesus provided the necessary life (zoe) and leadership to guide the eternal practice of His body on earth. (cf. Matthew 18:20; John 20:19; Hebrews 2:12; Revelation 1:13; 2:1; 4:6; 5:6) Consequently, the body of Christ was privileged to enjoy His unconditional love and acceptance, hear His voice, feel His touch, receive His healing, and minister to one another from an overflow of His presence. In contrast, when Christ was not acknowledged as central to the collective gatherings of the church it was quickly discovered that human need and concern dominated. (cf. 1 Corinthians 11-14) As a result, church gatherings were not characterized by heavenly order and peace but earthly confusion and conflict. (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40) It is important to clarify that it was not the responsibility of a small number of church leaders to ensure the preservation and protection of Christ-centered church gatherings. To the contrary, giving a small number of people leadership over the church would have established significant room for error in both doctrine and practice. The preservation and protection of the centrality of Christ in early church gatherings was the spiritual obligation of every Spirit-birthed member of the church body. It necessitated their willing faithfulness to participate according to the fullness of the Spirit. “… in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14; NKJV) The centrality of Christ in early church gatherings constituted the divinely appointed means for preserving church doctrine and protecting church practice. When Jesus was pursued prayerfully by the Spirit, the co-equal brothers and sisters of the church body were empowered to grow together in their knowledge of church doctrine, apply it together in practice, and stand together against falsehood. Willingly submitted to apostolic teaching and tradition, the early New Testament church recognized the surpassing value of the centrality of Christ. Further, it understood that it was His personal presence that made their gatherings distinct. It was clear to them, without the living (zoe) presence of Christ, they would have been viewed as nothing more than another dead, religious group. |
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