After Pentecost (Acts 3 and later), Christ-followers were first involved in something called “the Way” (Acts 24:22). After the gospel progressed to the non-Jewish world with the planting of the church in Antioch, the world called Christ-followers “Christians” because they were made up of both Jews and Gentiles who exhibited a radical devotion to be like Christ (Acts 11:26).
Since Christianity was legalized by Emperor Constantine in the Edict of Milan (A.D. 313), Christianity went from being “the Way” to an institution that included nominal members who knew nothing regarding the radical faith of their early forbears. Since that time Christianity has become a popular, commercialized entity with only a remnant of followers with a biblically-based, radical commitment. (By “radical” I do not mean extreme or fanatical with odd anti-social and/or violent behavior; I mean the dictionary definition: “radical: affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.”)
Unfortunately, what many today deem as radical was considered normal Christianity in the early church, and what is considered normal in the present church would be considered compromising to the early church.
The following are contrasts between commercial Christianity and biblical Christianity:
1. Commercial Christian pastors preach culturally accommodating messages. Biblical Christian pastors preach culturally convicting messages (Acts 2:37-38; Acts 24:24-25).
2. Commercial Christianity encourages adherence to the status quo. Biblical Christianity encourages reformation of the status quo (Acts 17:6).
3. Commercial Christianity invites. Biblical Christianity proclaims (Acts 17:23).
4. Commercial Christianity converts people to their churches. Biblical Christianity converts people to Jesus (John 1:12-13; Acts 8:35).
5. Commercial Christianity encourages congregational membership. Biblical Christianity develops world-changing disciples (Acts 6:7; Matt. 28:19; 2 Tim. 2:2).
6. Commercial Christianity separates faith from public policy. Biblical Christianity applies the gospel to policy (Matt. 5:13-16).
7. Commercial Christianity is defined by the state. Biblical Christianity redefines the state of affairs (Dan. 4:19-37; Acts 8:4-8).
8. Commercial Christianity is complicit with the powers that be. Biblical Christianity casts down the ungodly powers that be (2 Cor. 10:3-5).
9. Commercial Christianity is a sweet-smelling savor to those who are perishing. Biblical Christianity is a sweet-smelling savor to those who are being saved (Phil. 2:15-16).
10. Commercial Christianity is not distinguishable from the world. Biblical Christianity lives in the world but is not of the world (John 17:14-15).
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SOURCE: Charisma News
Joseph Mattera
BCNN1 WP 