Acts church as a paradigm? Part 1 of 2

Should the Church in the book of Acts be used as a paradigm for the church today? In short, I will say “yes.” However, one thing that occurred to me while thinking about this is how we only see small aspects of the church in the Scripture (cf. Acts 2:42-47). In saying that, there are significant changes that must be made today which I think – because of Western culture – would make it virtually if not completely impossible to do as such. Keep the following items in mind: I have only been attending church with a personal relationship in Jesus Christ for 1yr-11mos. Additionally, I have never been pastor of a church; I have only attended 2 church board meetings; I have never provided spiritual council to an individual/couple in crisis; I have never (to my knowledge) led anyone to church and/or to ask Christ into their life. Shortcomings or lack of professional experience aside, here is my first supporting statement behind saying why it is “virtually if not completely impossible:”

We (Americans) are too concerned with materialism to set “everything” aside for Christ; are we not? (cf. Mark 10:21) I do not say this as if I’m one of the only who will do as such. However, I find myself asking, “Is it possible in my life; to sell everything and follow Jesus?” I have a job that supplies our mortgage payment; food, clothes, health insurance, home insurance, auto insurance, et al.

What does that have to do with Acts as a paradigm? Read the account of Ananias & Sapphira in Acts 4:32–5:11. I am one who, to be honest, is an Ananias. Thankfully the Lord has not brought forth His judgment on me in the same manner; otherwise you would not be reading this. Before citing my second reason as to why I believe it is “virtually if not completely impossible” for the church today to be the Acts church of the Bible, take a moment and read the story of Ananias and Sapphira. (Ac. 4:32-5:11)

Scripture references:

Bible Gateway. (2010). Retrieved August 26, 2010 from site; http://www.biblegateway.com/

Christ-centered living: can you live it?

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:34-36)

This to me is what it means to be a Christian; to follow Jesus, and not yourself. The essence of denying to ones’ self is easy on the surface, and yet an altogether different, and extremely difficult, thing to do. A call to serve Christ is not for the faint of heart – for it will bring difficulties and strife that not everyone can bear. I myself have felt the plenary calling to serve the Lord.  Yet in doing so, I have distanced myself from the vulgar jokes and lewd behavior that once typified my daily course in life. In answering the call to serve Him, it has been both easy and difficult. William Barclay wrote:

“Jesus never sought to lure men to Him by the offer of an easy way; He sought to challenge them, to waken the sleeping chivalry in their souls, by the offer of a way than which none could be higher and harder. He came not to make life easy, but to make men great.” (1962, page. 206)

The final verse (v.36) is such a powerful question in that it takes much effort to truly grasp. To think of all the people over time who have given so much of their lives to a: business, endeavor, dream, team, and for the sake of fortune and fame lost everything that remains but a wishful thought every night for a childless couple or lonely soul. I know that Christ can truly fulfill our lives in ways that many think is just fairy tale. For them, all I can do is pray and mirror the life God has shown me in His son, Christ Jesus.

Barclay, William. (1962). The Gospel of Mark: The daily study bible. Scotland: St. Andrew Press.