When I hear people say: “We need to return to the first century church”, I ask WHY? If God wanted me to live in the first century I would have been born there. However, since I was born in the 20th century I will live in this century (now 21st) according to God’s purpose. Please, understand that I know what they are trying to say—that we have to return to the “lifestyle and simple belief system” of the early church.
Again, please hear me, that is the attitude that casts a judgment against the entire Church of Christ in the world. We do not need to go back to the first century. We need to continually work to grasp the principles that made the first century church successful and apply them to today’s church. The Church is not perfect, but it continues to preach the Gospel to and through sinful men and women. God has overcome our sin and weaknesses.
Let me suggest three things: (1) Do God’s will, (2) Stay connected with the local church as a member of the church universal, (3) Get engage in the spiritual battlefield for the souls of men and forget the “yesterday was better than today” attitude.