Johann Lorenz von Mosheim (1694-1755) in his An Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern, from the Birth of Christ to the Beginning of the Present Century, wrote how people of that day looked at the simplicity of Christianity with reproach and disdain. Their view then is much like that of the religious world today. They didn’t understand how people could worship without alters, images, and priests wearing robes. New Testament Christian worship was looked upon as irreligious or even atheistic!

How often do folks question the absence of the piano or organ in our worship assemblies? They wonder how we can even worship without such things. Some cannot get over how the preacher does not wear special robes, collars, or sashes. He pretty much looks like everyone else and refuses to be called reverend or pastor. Because of their religious traditions these things seem unnatural to the denominational world.

Another curious thought of that time was how to win over the pagan population to the so-called Christian religion of the day. Edward Gibbon wrote in The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, that the "simple theology of the primitive Christians was gradually corrupted." He suggested that there was a belief that the pagans would more readily "renounce the superstitions of Paganism, if they found some resemblance, some compensation, in the bosom of Christianity." So they promoted the idea of adopting/adapting religious practices to appeal to the masses. They could make more converts if there were more similarities between them and fewer changes required of them. Adjusting doctrines and practices to accommodate pagan converts became so commonplace, one could hardly remember what the old church was like.

We have seen many changes these days. Some congregations no longer retain the identifying traits of the Lord’s church as we read in the New Testament. They have adapted and changed their beliefs and practices to be more like the denominations around them. Baptism is no longer taught as being essential to salvation (Acts 2:28; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). Instrumental music has been introduced into Christian worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Alternative contemporary services are offered on a day other than the Lord’s day (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2). Some have gone so far as to remove "Christ" from their name (Romans 16:16). Becoming more like the denominational world and requiring fewer, less drastic changes, these folks have been seen enlarging their borders and increasing their numbers. Tell-tale signs of this truth can be seen in the ability of preachers to…“exchange pulpits” without any real upset among the membership, and congregations campaigning for the same religious (ecumenical) efforts (i.e. Billy/Franklin Graham Crusades, Promise Keepers, etc.).

The idea of history repeating itself is true, but this can be seen in both a positive and negative way. If we do not put God’s will first in our lives and submit to His authority in all things (Colossians 3:17), then we are not His (2 John 9-11). We must know that the masses for the most part, will not be willing to change and submit (Matthew 7:13, 14; 22:14). It will make no difference what they may claim for themselves (7:21ff; 1 Corinthians 1:26ff). Jesus warned, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26).

For those who are faithful in their walk on the strait and narrow path, there will be great success as there has been in the past. When the gospel is preached in its simplicity and power, people with honest and good hearts will be saved (Romans 1:16; Luke 8:15). Oh, this will not be as the world measures success. "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth" (2 Corinthians 10:12, 13, 18). We should always learn from history. Let’s see to it that the good of history is what repeats itself.

During the Middle Ages, people were often married at thirteen, fighting as warriors and commanding armies while still in their teens, and physically spent and nearing death at thirty-five or forty. But times have changed.

A recent study of four-hundred outstanding achievers, men and women representing a wide range of expertise, reveals an amazing fact. According to the study, people between the ages of sixty and seventy have produced a whopping thirty-five percent of the world’s greatest achievements.

Your greatest work may still lie ahead. With respect to doing good, serving the Lord, teaching the lost, helping and encouraging others. Yes, when it comes down to being a genuine Christ-like blessing to this world - you are never too old!

As the Bible promises, “They shall bring forth fruit in old age.” (Psalms 92:14).

Copied from Central’s Bulletin,
Clearwater, Florida

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves.”

“One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

From an email