Preface

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Preface

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“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

The misinterpretation of the Bible has been the cause of innumerable problems, not the least of which is a worldly simulation of the real New Testament church. Often described as organized, institutional, traditional, cultural, religious, or temporal, it is but a mere “shadow” of the true substance. (cf. Colossians 2:17) Consequently, the theology and practice of the simulated church is very different from the real New Testament church.

The real New Testament church is the body of Jesus Christ. It was created before the foundation of the world to accommodate divine life on earth. Thus, the New Testament church was a “dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22)

The spiritual body of the real New Testament church was designed for animation by the indwelling life of God. Its abundant quality and quantity of spiritual fruit provided clear evidence that He served as its primary source of life. Consequently, the early New Testament church community understood that it was not their responsibility to build the church for God but to faithfully depend on Him to produce the church in them.

The worldly simulation of the church was not developed until the fourth century AD. Uninvited by God, it was the result of spiritual ignorance and scriptural misinterpretation. Thus, the simulated church was not suitable for the fulfillment of eternal purpose and mission but only to support religious activity for God.

Accordingly, the simulated church gathered in a religious, institutional manner typically referred to as a “mass.” It was organized by a predetermined liturgy.

Relative to historical precedent, the modern simulated church continues to assemble according to religious “mass” or “service.” When asked why the most common response from leadership is simply, “We have always done it this way before.” Therefore, it is evident that the practice of the modern simulated church is not based on the apostolic teaching and tradition of the New Testament but civic, religious, and historical precedent.

Much to the surprise of simulated church leadership, the New Testament does indeed unveil the distinct practice of the early church. However, the discernment of its practice requires that the New Testament be viewed faithfully and prayerfully apart from the bias of civic, religious, and historical precedent.

Rather than organized according to a “service” and corresponding liturgy, the New Testament clarifies that early church gatherings were a celebration of life in the highest, life shared with God in Christ. They intentionally emphasized the preeminence and ministering presence of the victorious Savior amid His church body.

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Learning to understand the church solely from a New Testament perspective has been a life-long process. Writing about it in the form of a book required faithful, prayerful dependence on God and thousands of hours over more than 20 years.

Please read "The Real New Testament Church" in the manner that it was written; prayerfully and dependently. As a consequence, I believe that you will be as blessed as I have been.

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