Comparison -- Today's Church vs Early Church

[Malvaro]

Just a question for folks....

do you see today's church as excelling beyond any of the benchmarks set by the early church in any particular area (communication, organization, passion, etc)???

What do you feel are the strengths and/or weaknesses of the two church ages in comparison???

[Truthseeker]

we are far from being compared to the early church, IMO.

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

we are far from being compared to the early church, IMO.

that is a blanket statement; give us a few examples (if not just two or three)

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

Just a question for folks....

do you see today's church as excelling beyond any of the benchmarks set by the early church in any particular area (communication, organization, passion, etc)???

What do you feel are the strengths and/or weaknesses of the two church ages in comparison???

Weaknesses
1. We are more fragmented.
2. Though we possess the same Spirit, we all too often fail to operate in it's power.
3. We pale comparitively, in the area of strong word-based teaching.

Strengths
1. We are more evangelistic.
2. We are more structured.

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Weaknesses
1. We are more fragmented.
2. Though we possess the same Spirit, we all too often fail to operate in it's power.
3. We pale comparitively, in the area of strong word-based teaching.

Strengths
1. We are more evangelistic.
2. We are more structured.

Not too sure about this. Paul set entire countries on fire...thousands of miles traveled- thousands brought to the knowledge fo the truth...he had to be somewhat structered. I have not heard of any ONE person doing these type of exploits in my generation???

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Annie

Not too sure about this. Paul set entire countries on fire...thousands of miles traveled- thousands brought to the knowledge fo the truth...he had to be somewhat structered. I have not heard of any ONE person doing these type of exploits in my generation???

Are you kidding me?

The UPCI is one of the most evangelistic bodies in the history of the world.
We have missionary upon missionary that make Paul look like an ant (in regard to evangelism).

I know that is a bold statement, but it's absolutely true. Paul confined his travels to a very narrow geographical area. It was huge in his day, but tiny compared to what our modern missionaries accomplish.

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Are you kidding me?

The UPCI is one of the most evangelistic bodies in the history of the world.
We have missionary upon missionary that make Paul look like an ant (in regard to evangelism).

I know that is a bold statement, but it's absolutely true. Paul confined his travels to a very narrow geographical area. It was huge in his day, but tiny compared to what our modern missionaries accomplish.

I see.

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Weaknesses
1. We are more fragmented.
2. Though we possess the same Spirit, we all too often fail to operate in it's power.
3. We pale comparitively, in the area of strong word-based teaching.

Strengths
1. We are more evangelistic.
2. We are more structured.

a) fragmented, definately....

b) do you feel its because our churches are not as Spirit-sensitive and thus don't have the foggiest idea the spiritual power we are forfeiting???

c) the early church fought against false doctrine too... do you feel that the early church was more teaching heavy vs preaching heavy??? also, do you think that we have too many "screamers" that are shallow with their message or do you think that people have just gotten lazy with their time in the Word??

d) really, you think so??? than how is it that there are so many churches are relatively the same size after 5, 10, and 25 years.... of course, there are always AWESOME progressive churches that are doing their best to reach their cities.... i'm speaking in the loosest of terms....

why don't our churches teach more Bible studies, knock more doors, witness to people in the market-places, etc.... how many "shy" Christians do you know that can't remember the last time they even mentioned Christ to another person outside of the the Church.... how many of our Christian folks could open their Bible and be knowledgable enough to walk a person through the New Birth plan passage by passage???

e) why do you see more structure as a strength??? what benefit does that afford us that it would have to the early church??? the scripture spoke of that church as "turning their world upside down" Can that be spoken of today's church???

[Coonskinner]

The absolute biggest difference between us and the early church is in our respective attitudes toward suffering.

They rejoiced and counted it an honor; we whine and beg God to bail us out.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

The absolute biggest difference between us and the early church is in our respective attitudes toward suffering.

They rejoiced and counted it an honor; we whine and beg God to bail us out.

Unfortunately, I will have to Amen you on this.