Most religious groups change with the times. The Lord's church must challenge the times to change.
When Christianity was first introduced to mankind, it was designed to be the means by which all people of all races, nationalities, cultures and times could be forgiven of their sins, have fellowship with God and find their way to heaven. It was to be preached first "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea" then in Samaria" and then "unto the uttermost parts of the earth" (Acts 1:8). When the apostles preached to the multitudes in Acts 2 they were addressing Jews who were "out of every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5). Peter later preached the same message to Gentiles noting that "God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:34, 35). Yet there was one unified body of truth that was to direct the beliefs and religious practices of all the churches in all of the various cultures. What the apostles taught in one church they taught in all of the churches (1 Corinthians 4:16; 7:17; 14:33; 16:1). Only by following the same message, given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16), could these Christians, scattered throughout the various cultures of the day, be expected to "speak the same thing and be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). Radical changes were required of those who were converted to Christ in the first century out of the various cultures. Pagans gladly turned from the idols which had become so deeply embedded in their cultures (1 Thessalonians 1:9). They were charged to alter the sexual attitudes and practices that had been so much a part of their cultural heritage (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Even the class distinctions that had helped define their cultures had to be abandoned (Galatians 3:27, 28). Just as the pure teachings of Christ were relevant for all individuals of all cultures of the first century who would fear God and work righteousness, they are likewise relevant for all today. They were delivered to the people of God for all time (Jude 3).
The message of the New Testament is sufficient, by itself, to convert those who would be willing to follow God (Romans 1:16). Efforts to dress this message in any particular cultural garment can easily hinder the message. The apostle Paul was perfectly capable of being eloquent and of speaking in ways that would have impressed his Greek audience with elements admired in their own culture. He told them simply that he had been sent "to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:17, 18). He wanted them to be impressed with the Christ, not with Paul. He could have labored to make the message "culturally relevant" to the Greeks by lacing it with their own oratorical and philosophical styles and devices. He, instead, simply preached the word. Those who received the word that Paul preached are those who would have received it no matter who preached it. Their faith was in God, not man.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
Our task, in the present day, is to present the ancient gospel of Christ to men and women of every modern culture. Those who are seeking to know the truth will receive the gospel whether it is preached from behind a podium or from someone sitting in a chair. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will obey the word of God whether they are sitting on pews or on folding chairs. Those who genuinely love God will keep his commandments whether they are announced by a dimpled young man from the cover of Gentleman's Quarterly or a gray-haired man who dresses like they did in the 1950's.
The primary aim of the church in the modern age is to challenge it's members, and anyone in the world who will listen, to conform to the will of Christ as expressed on the pages of the New Testament. This will require people to make radical changes in their lives.
No man has the right to alter God's requirements for the individual or for the church. No elements of God's challenge can be removed for modern man. People in the past have tried to do so and have called what is left a "creed". Some within the church are trying to do so and they are calling what is left, after sifting through the word of God, a "core" or a "theological principle" or something else. Whether the world likes it or not, we must issue God's challenge to all people everywhere to "buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23).This item originally appeared in http://www.mindspring.net/~tnichols
