What Would the Apostles Do? Restoring New Testament Christianity

Remember when WWJD was popular in our culture? When it first took root? I may be dating myself, but in my teens everyone wanted a bracelet with WWJD stamped on it. Instead of asking WWJD, I wonder if we might consider WWAD? What Would the Apostles Do? Let's try to look to the first century church. The first generations of Christians, following the Way.

Imagine a church thriving with raw faith, in a vibrant community, and having a tangible sense of God's presence. A church where miracles weren't relics of the past, but expected occurrences. A church defined not by ornate buildings or complex doctrines, but by its unwavering devotion to Jesus and its love for one another. This is the captivating image of the first-century church, often viewed as a golden age of Christian faith.

I believe this passion and yearning to restore that spirit still resonates in many hearts today. In a world often characterized by division, skepticism, and institutional fatigue, the simplicity and power of the early church hold an undeniable appeal. But is it truly possible, or even desirable, to fully restore the church of the first century in our modern context? I believe so.

The Allure of the Original Blueprint

The desire to return to the "original blueprint" stems from a few key factors. The first factor is authenticity. Many believe the early church represents the purest form of Christianity, unburdened by centuries of tradition and theological debate. Who wouldn't want to return to that simplicity? In contrast to the complexities of modern church structures, the early church seems refreshingly straightforward.

Another thing we can learn from the original blueprint is the power and impact on the community. The book of Acts paints a picture of a church that was undeniably powerful, transforming lives and impacting the world. I might also add that despite their challenges, the early believers exhibited a remarkable unity of heart and purpose by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And what could be said about the good works of the early Christians? We read about their devotion to the apostles' teaching, their fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). We see them sharing their possessions, caring for the needy, and witnessing boldly about Jesus. This picture is compelling, a stark contrast to the often fragmented and sometimes lukewarm expressions of faith we see today.

Replication Brings Major Challenges

While the desire is understandable, attempting a literal restoration of the first-century church faces significant hurdles. The first century was a vastly different world. Their social structures, communication methods, and cultural norms were unique. Directly transplanting their practices into our modern context might be impractical or even counterproductive. Even within the New Testament, there's a diversity of practices and approaches. Determining a single "first-century model" can be challenging and open to interpretation.

Some might argue that theology and our understanding of scripture have developed over centuries. Discarding all subsequent insights could be a form of intellectual and spiritual arrogance. Would (or should) we throw away all that we know and start over at square one? Yup. That's what we are saying! I would argue that the real question is not "would" (or should) but COULD you do it?

Imagine taking away all your pre-suppositions about religion. Armed with only the Word of God, could you start fresh? Imagine trying to replicate the house church model on a large scale in a densely populated city, or expecting everyone to sell their possessions and live communally. Who would do that? Peter would. Thomas would too. John the beloved would lead the charge. Paul would applaud it!

Focusing on the Heart, Not Just the Form

What are we really calling for? Perhaps the goal isn't a rigid replication of every detail, but rather a restoration of the spirit and core values that characterized the early church. Instead of focusing solely on the "how", maybe we should focus on the "why."

What were the underlying principles that fueled their vibrant faith?

Unwavering Devotion to Jesus, the Christ: Their lives revolved around knowing and following Jesus. They shared his story and the message of salvation daily.
Commitment to Scripture Over Tradition: They valued and studied the teachings of the apostles. Their doctrine was the key. They recognized and relied on the power of the Spirit in their lives and ministry.
Deep Sense of Community: They shared their lives, burdens, and resources. They worked together in doing good works and spreading the gospel.
Bold Evangelism: They were passionate about sharing the good news. The first generation of Christians were thriving because of the courageous men and women who could not keep the story of the resurrection to themselves.
Love for One Another: Their love was tangible and transformative. There is no doubt that their love and compassion was a hallmark of the movement. This was done by the direction of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Instead of trying to rewind time, we can learn invaluable lessons from the first-century church and apply them to our modern context. We should seek how to prioritize our relationship with Jesus. Making our connection with Christ needs to be the central focus of our faith. Once that is set we could start cultivating authentic community among believers. Building genuine relationships where vulnerability and mutual support are valued.

The early church embraced the power of the Holy Spirit. Although we live in a different age, without the ability for men to preform miracles, seeking and relying on the Spirit's guidance and gifts should be paramount. By bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit we should be demonstrating love and compassion in practical ways within our communities.

Above all things, they were focusing on the core message of the gospel. Keeping the message of salvation through Jesus at the forefront. Isn't that clear? The book of Acts shows countless Christians sharing the good news. Jesus died and rose again!

Restoration is a Continuous Process

The yearning for the vitality of the early church is a healthy one. It reminds us of the power and potential of authentic Christian faith. I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there are communities of believers that hold to all these principles stated above. Some exist in the world of "non-denominational" or "undenominational" churches. But primarily I see this within the churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). We strive not to become a denomination. We just want to be Christ’s church (Acts 2:47, I Corinthians 1:10-13). We strive to follow the pattern of the New Testament. We seek to be free from the dictates of human authority.

People can still become a member of the Lord's church by doing what they did 2000 years ago on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:36-47). The church has been restored to its intended state. However, we must constantly evaluate our practices and structures against the core values and spirit of the first-century church. Let's strive to be a church that is just as devoted, just as loving, and just as impactful in our own time and place as we see in the book of Acts. The spirit of the early church is not confined to history; it's a timeless call to authentic faith that can resonate powerfully even today.

What aspects of the first-century church do you find most inspiring? How can we apply those principles in our modern context? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Have a great week!

You are loved.

Ray Reynolds, PhD

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