Why has the modern Christian Church drifted so far away from its roots in New Te

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   lifegateposted 13 years ago

   Why has the modern Christian Church drifted so far away from its roots in New Testament Christianity
   
   If we look at the example of the New Testament Church our churches today can't compare to commitment, seriousness, and higher purpose. I have some ideas, but I was just wondering if anyone else has some thoughts.

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   Tony Flaniganposted 13 years ago

   Purely and simply to accommodate people, and their own personal whims and agendas.

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   Lady Librisposted 13 years ago

   I agree too, but I don't think there is just one answer. One could point to changes that have been made by individuals and organizations to suit their own purposes. One could also point to the fact that its been over 2000 years since the Church was established, and much has been lost. Things that were understood then are not now. However, I think a lot of the problem may be what Dave said. People who "religiously" go to church and call themselves Christian, don't have the foggiest idea about what the Bible says. They just know what someone else has told them. Remember that game we played as kids where the first person thought of a sentence or a phrase, and whispered it into the next persons ear. Then that person whispered to the next, and the game continued until the last person said out lout what they heard, which was usually not even remotely close to what was originally said. I some ways, I think that has happened to the body of Christ. Instead of going to the source, they listen to someone else's whispers. They have not listened to Pauls admonition to Timothy to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15. How can the "rightly divide" what they don't even read?

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   heavenbound5511posted 13 years ago

   In revelation it talks of the falling away from truth. In Revelation chaps 1-3 are the letters to the seven churches & the warning to return to their 1st love, and how they let Jezebel into their church. God tells the churches to repent to avoid destruction.
   So the real reason of the church not leading people to be reconciled to Jesus is because they walked away from Him and His New Testament promises. it's summed up in this they have walked away from Jesus their first love. The main point of the church is to add to the Lord not forget about Him!

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   HubCrafterposted 13 years ago

   The leadership of James and Peter in Jerusalem showed commitment, seriousness and higher purpose. We see this in the Book of Acts. We see this in the miracles performed through the apostles after Jesus ascension. We see it in the dramatic works of the Holy Spirit.
   But we also see how quickly sin raises it's ugly head with the story of Ananias and Saphira. And shortly thereafter with the Judaizers and the long struggle against the Nicolatians and the Gnostics.
   As the decades roll by there are less examples of miracles to be written about.
   About this topic..why did Jesus (or God the Father) do miracles.."Which is easier to say..Thy sins are forgiven you or rise up and walk? But so you'll know the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins I say to you, rise up and walk."
   The miracles of Jesus Christ and later, those by the apostles were given by the Father as the evidence that Jesus Christ alone can forgive sins...the essential belief for those hearing the Gospel.
   To come back to your question...why have we drifted so far from our roots?
   In the first century Christianity had it's roots in Judaism...and needed to find it's own way; a way apart from the Law of Moses; apart from the Temple sacrifices..especially when the Father allowed the Temple to be destroyed about 70 A.D.
   First century Christianity was neither settled nor secure. It's theology had yet to be plumbed..this alone has taken two thousand years to develop. It's hymns and music had yet to emerge fully from the Synagoge.
   You'll note that the synagoges had only been in existence for some two hundred years before Christ's coming. ...They were an important pattern for the Church to follow. ie. How to worship without a Temple or sacrifice.
   And how commited are these first century Churches? By the end of the century, John, writing in the Book of Revelation, reports Jesus' words to the seven churches in Asia. Not many get by without a warning or a swift rebuke.
   Please don't misunderstand me. I agree; our churches today have little fire and many are even short on warmth. I just mention the above to offer a perspective about "the good old days"...they had their troubles, disappointments and poor performing members too.
   Just my two cents. Glad for the chat.

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   brnielsen44posted 13 years ago

   I think that very much depends on what you consider the modern christian church. There are many churches that believe very similarly to the way Christ set up His church. The ones that have gone a little astray are due to the philosophies of men mixed with only some scripture.
   
   My belief is that Satan tempts us to only believe the points that we feel coincide with our life style. After all, Satan doesn't have to make us do evil. He only has to stop us from doing what is best and we will do the rest ourselves.

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   duffsmomposted 13 years ago

   Sin.  Humans beings can't avoid it.  That is why it is important for every Christian individual to know Scripture and stick to it.  Know your church doctrine, know what your church believes and make sure it follows Scripture.

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