As an U.S. American Christian (more specifically, a Southern Baptist) i’ve always been surrounded by elements of "church." But how many of these are Biblical? Choirs, buildings (and building funds), preachers (and preaching), pews, senior pastors, youth groups, sanctuaries, Sunday school, church clothes, people being "slain in the Spirit," baptisteries, parking, tithing, and switching pastors (and members for that matter) are a few things i have yet to find in the New Testament (If they’re there, please show me. Granted, tithing is mentioned but always in a negative or time specific context.). I don’t mean to imply that any of these things are wrong (though some may be so), these are just ideas that don’t come from the New Testament and, therefore, just aren’t necessary to have Biblical "church."
What about elements which aren’t taught against in the Bible (rather, possibly condoned) but are generally frowned on by U.S. American churches? Church on the Sabbath ("Sabbath" is the Hebrew word for "Saturday" that somehow remains untranslated in English Bibles after all these years.), lay-people baptizing others, women baptizing others, the gift of tongues (only taboo in some U.S. churches), deaconess (see Romans 16:1), informal atmospheres, and eating during meetings.
It’s constantly becoming more evident to me the honor and responsibility i have to introduce the idea of church to people who've never experienced or even heard of church. When i join the Xtreme Team in February (and hopefully before then here in Ecuador), i'll be taking the Gospel to people groups who will most likely believe whatever i say church is supposed to be. I have no aspirations of turning the indigenous of South America into U.S. Americans. So, here’s my dilemma: I feel like i have all this church baggage that i’m accustomed to, some ok, some bad. I need to separate the Biblical and the extra-Biblical. The only way to do that is to study the Bible myself. Please be praying that i would be able to present the Gospel and the concept of Church and church in a Biblical way to the indigenous of South America. Also, your incite on Bible verses could help. Thanks, friends. Love yall
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