The "Good Old Days" of the Church

It is a mistake to yearn for “the good old days” of the church as recorded in the New Testament because the church that is present today is just as good or bad as the church of that time. The church of today is not all that different from the church that existed back then. As Ecclesiastes says, “There is nothing new under the sun,” and also, “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.” If one were to actually study what the New Testament records about the early church they would recognize that the early church did not always have things altogether. There were people in the church back then who were as “messed up” as some of the people in the church of today. For example, Luke records in the book Acts on the death of Ananias and Sapphira who had willingly lied to the Holy Spirit in the presence of the church. Another example in the book of Acts of how the church was not necessarily always on top of things is that of the food distribution among the Greek and the Jewish widows. While this possible discrimination was not likely a willful act on the part of the church and the church did correct this issue when it was brought to its attention, this is still an example of how the church of yesteryear is not something that the church of today should attempt to wholly replicate in every aspect. Also, within a study of the church as portrayed in the New Testament writings, one must recognize the very backwards nature of the church in Corinth to whom Paul ministered. While one must take into consideration all of these negative aspects of the church of the past, one must also admit to the numerous admirable qualities of that church. The New Testament authors write of a church in which the Spirit of Christ was present. That same Spirit is within the church of today. The New Testament records amazing miracles and healings as well as radical evangelism. It is incorrect (and very “modernist” in reasoning) to assume that simply because one does not see things like this happening in the church today that they do not in fact happen at all anymore. This is simply not the case. Miracles, signs, and wonders still accompany the church of today. This is especially seen in the continents of Africa and Asia, but the truth is that these things happen in America as well. My guess as to why many within the church of America do not witness miracles is because they do not believe in them. The church of today is just as good or as bad as the church that is pictured in the New Testament. When people put too much focus upon the style that was appropriate for the New Testament setting believing that church should be done in exactly that same way today, they begin to lose sight of the church itself and how it should exist in today’s settings.