David: My view of first century Christianity is preachers in the streets preaching to the lost rather than Clergy in air conditioned comfort preaching to the choir. It is Peter saying "Silver and gold have I none", rather than Clergy with salary, and insurance and car allowance and secretary. It is people meeting in homes and using what they had to feed the poor rather than building a higher steeple or buying bigger stained glass windows. It is Paul working his way across the world to tell people about Jesus, rather than a missionary who needs three thousand dollars a month in support so he can go live among and witness to people making two hundred dollars a year. It is about brothers and sisters in Christ actually knowing one another. It is about deacons who are servants instead of the people who tell the preacher what to do. It is people who actually tell other people about Christ, rather than hiring a "Reverend" to do it for them. Tell me what's wrong with that picture.
Think for a moment about how much good could be done for the needy if the more than three hundred thousand Pastors in this country preached for the Lord instead of for a living, and used that money for good works. If that sounds like a lot, throw in the money spent on mortgages and flowers and janitors and song leaders and choir robes and electricity. Christianity has become big business As to Frank Viola, I have never met the man. However, I have also never met anyone who was there during the first three centuries, so the only way I have of knowing what went on there is to read what others have documented. Actually, he points out that someone met in a building as early as 180 A.D., but says Constantine was the one who made church buildings not only common, but ornate. > > Terry wrote: > > > We just aren't in total agreement on this one. > > > > Why not? Is it because Frank Viola wrote that the first church building > > started with Constantine? Or is it because your view of first century > > Christianity is one where believers huddled secretly in homes for fear of > > persecution from unbelieving Jews? > > > > Peace be with you. > > David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida USA > > ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
