Spiritual Formation (Church part 3)

Feel free to click the follow button here on the right and get notified when ➜  each new blog is posted.

“I don’t need to go to church [building/service] because I can worship God when I’m _____ (fill in the blank).”

Let us imagine that the earliest followers of Jesus had adopted this attitude towards Church.  Perhaps the book of Acts would have sounded more like this:

Jesus was lifted up as the apostles looked on and a cloud received Him.  After these things, Peter began to understand Jesus’ messiahship and mission as a suffering servant and drew away to himself Mark who is also called John.  Matthew however, understood Jesus to be King of the Jews, the fulfiller of Old Testament prophecies.  Luke does not exist in this alternate timeline, and that shall soon be explained.  Finally, the disciple whom Jesus loved believed that He would best be understood through Greek thought expressed in Jewish terms.  In a similar way, James, Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew, the other James, Simon and the other-other James all thought they had the best understanding of Jesus, this being only through a personal relationship with Him.  Soon thereafter, the disciples each went their separate ways, preaching their esoteric take on Jesus.  Therefore, there was no three thousand converts at Pentecost, but each disciple drew a small group to them.  They continually devoted themselves to their apostles teaching.  There was no lasting fellowship, breaking of bread or prayer.

Therefore, the Jesus movement splintered into several groups, and the Sanhedrin forgot about it, much like Judas the son of Hezekiah (a messianic claimant who you’ve never heard of, mentioned in Josephus).  Therefore, Saul wasn’t persecuting the Way, and he never joined it, which explains why there is no Luke in this timeline.

Perhaps this is how the alternate New Testament would have ended.

Someone once pointed out that Jesus said, “When you fast…” (Matt. 6:16) and not “If you fast…” the point being that a discipline like fasting should not be regarded as optional.  In the same way, why should the call to fellowship be disregarded?  Can a Christian or group of Christians worship on a weekend camping trip or a day at the lake?  Of course, but it should be asked what form does that worship take?  Is a Bible devotion given?  Did someone bring a guitar for some music worship or do they sing acapella?  Is there prayer time or communion?

Eventually, we will explore the subject of a personal relationship with the Lord; however, this Church subject cannot be overlooked.  Communal worship was part of the Mosaic form of worship, and clearly, New Testament authors saw that communal aspect as vital.  Reflect on Acts 2:42, continual devotion to the apostles teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer.

“Therefore, a Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him.  He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth” (Bonhoeffer, Kindle Location 112).

Written by Pastor Ozzy

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. 1949. Life Together. Munich: Chr. Kaiser.

For more information, visit our website
http://ccvmontrose.org
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ccvmontrose
Or on Twitter
https://twitter.com/ccvmontroseco