CHURCH TRADITIONS AND TEACHINGS THAT ARE NOT BASED ON THE NEW TESTAMENT
This article lists some traditions and teachings in the Church that I believe are not based on the New Testament.
My reasons for my writing this article are:
I don't profess to have figured it all out yet, nor do I expect everyone to agree with everything that is written here, nor do I judge those who disagree with me. This article simply conveys my convictions and understanding of some problems that exist in the Church due to traditions and teachings that I disagree with. Each believer needs to personally seek God for a balanced understanding of the truth by reading the Bible and trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to them. As each person shares with others what has been revealed, a more balance understanding of the truth emerges corporately.
Jesus Christ gave the church body two main assignments:
God has given each believer the Holy Spirit to enable them to fulfill these assignments and has given the Bible as a reference for learning and judging spiritual things. It seems to me that traditions and teachings have been handed down that seem to have strayed from the New Testament traditions and teachings, common sense, and reality. I believe the devil can blind people with traditions and doctrines when they are just accepted. Although God has given every believer the Holy Spirit and the Bible, too often people put their trust and faith in the traditions and words of men rather than seeking God for the truth. I was taught many of these things but during the past 25 years of my relationship with God, I have continually sought Him and the Bible for answers and a more balanced understanding. When we read the Bible, receive a revelation, or receive teaching from anyone, we should always trust the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and bring balance to it's meaning and application for our lives. This is what God has intended for every believer.
CHURCH TRADITIONS AND TEACHINGS THAT ARE NOT BASED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1) A large facility (building) is needed to worship and teach in, on a regular basis. As the group of believers grows then a bigger facility is needed on a regular basis.
Why I disagree:
In the New Testament, believers gathered day to day for fellowship and discipleship in homes. The Bible teaches that the church is made up of all believers. Together they are a temple of the living God, not a physical building built by human hands but a spiritual building built by God. Only in the city of Ephesus did Paul rent a hall as a training center. Purchased buildings were not needed for day to day care, teaching, discipleship through participation, and sharing with one another, nor were they needed to share the Gospel which was usually done anywhere that people gathered. As people were added to the church and became believers (sometimes thousands at once), they met in houses while the apostles and other workers went from house to house (AC 2:1-4; 5:42; 8:3; 12:12; 16:40,18:7-8; 20:20; 21:7-8; 28:30-31; RO 16:3-5; 1 COR 16:19-20; COL 4:15; 2 JN 1:7-11). The homes created the atmosphere of a caring family and also allowed the workers going from house to house to make disciples in a small group setting while also creating a unified community of believers in a city. Jesus started with a group of twelve who were sent out to share the good news and disciple others which was done in a city or community in caring relational groups in houses.
Problems this causes:
Church growth becomes limited to the size of the building. Caring relationships are difficult to maintain. Discipleship through participation is difficult to do. Money is drained in the purchase and maintenance of buildings rather than to care for one another and share the good news of the Kingdom of God.
2) A church needs a full time paid leader
Why I disagree:
In the Old Testament, Priests served in the temple full time and were taken care of with the Tithes of God's people.
In the New Testament everyone is considered a priest who serves God and each other. Every believer has a function in the church body and should be growing and participating in the ministries and Spiritual gifts that God has given them. Every believer is to be discipled and make disciples. Every believer is to work so they are not a financial burden on one another, and serve the church body on the side. Even Paul (an apostle) during his missionary journeys worked as a tent maker when staying in one place for a while so as not to be a financial burden on other believers. He taught that if someone doesn't work then they shouldn't be allowed to eat. Some traveling workers stayed with believers and ate what was given to them as they traveled from place to place. Occasionally traveling workers received some money for their travels but they were not paid a regular salary as a job.
Problems this causes:
Paying full time Pastors puts a financial burden on the body of Christ and segregates the paid from the non paid believers – clergy / laity. This gives them a special status that the rest of the non-paid believers do not have. Because Pastors are paid they are expected to do the bulk of the work of the ministry putting an undue burden on them and excusing the non paid believers from having to do the work of the ministry. There is an incorrect emphasis on a Pastor being a leader of the church body instead of Jesus being the leader and mature brothers (elders) overseeing the church as servants, with everyone involved in the ministry.
3) Believers must give 10% of their income as a tithe to the church they attend. If they give at least 10% then they are obeying God and will prosper. If they don't give 10% of their income they are not obeying God.
Why I disagree:
The tithe is Old Testament and old covenant. Then they were required to give 10% for the temple and Priests working in the temple. Since most churches operate in a similar manner as the Old Testament with a temple (facility) and priests (clergy), they require a tithe to maintain it.
In the New Testament and new covenant, the church body is considered the temple of God and every believer is considered a Priest of God. There is no teaching on tithing in the New Testament and since the church met in homes with everyone in the body of Christ involved in ministry, the tithe was no longer required. Instead, believers sold everything they did not need and gave it to the apostles to take care of the needs of all believers. When it comes to giving money, the less we can live on, and the more we can give towards helping other needy believers, the better. In this way we will store up for ourselves - treasures in heaven.
Problems this causes:
Many believers only give 10% then use the rest of their money for their own gain and pleasures. Those that can give 10% feel more righteous than those who cannot do this. Some believers feel condemned if they are struggling financially and cannot give 10% of their income. This is not the reason they are struggling financially. Some believers are in need and are not being properly helped due to money spent on a facility, paid servants, and limited giving by those who can give more.
4) Believers are not to move from church to church - this is known as church hopping. Also other Churches are not to lure or take people from another church - this is known as sheep stealing. The church organization needs committed people to stay put to financially support and maintain their facilities, salaries and programs.
Why I disagree:
Believers belong to Jesus Christ alone. We are to love and help one another across the whole body of Christ. Believers in the New Testament considered themselves a part of a citywide church and moved about from house to house to share, learn from, and help one another. There were no restrictions in doing this, as there were no facilities, paid servants and programs to maintain. The focus was on the Great Commandments and the Great Commission.
Problems this causes:
Believers feel guilty to go visit or join another part of the body of Christ. Believers are not experiencing and learning all they can by visiting other parts of the whole church body of believers. Believers feel they belong to and only need to care about their group rather than belonging to and needing to care for the whole body of Christ. Believers are not blessing each other across the body of Christ.
5) Believers must belong to a congregational church with a leading pastor in order to be under a spiritual covering and accountability. Church leaders make most decisions for the people as to what they should be doing. If the people feel controlled or disagree then they are told that they have a problem with authority.
Why I disagree:
A priest type leader is Old Testament and old covenant. The New Testament teaches that Jesus Christ is the head, covering, leader and teacher of the church, that all believers are brothers and sisters with differing gifts who are to be lead by the Holy Spirit individually as well as corporately. This means that we are all team players on the same playing level under Jesus Christ. We are accountable first to Christ and then to one another. Mature believers (elders) act as overseers to help make disciples by serving and being an example to others but do not have authority or control over the body of Christ.
Problems this causes:
Leaders take the place of Christ as the head, which puts them on a pedestal above everyone else. Leaders control the body of Christ. Believers trust, follow, and obey what the leaders say rather than trusting, following and obeying Christ by Holy Spirit who is to teach and guide them as they display mutual respect and submission to one another.
6) Only educated and ordained (indoctrinated) people can be ministers or do the work of ministry.
Why I disagree:
There are no ordained Pastors in the New Testament. God has given every believer different ministry and Spiritual gifts that are to be used together to build up the church and fulfil the Great Commandments and Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Some local mature believers (elders) were appointed as overseers for the churches having the requirements as men of character, maturity, having a heart to serve, having a good marriage, and able to manage their own household. They are to guide (shepherd) by example with love - not by force, guilt or any other control tactic. Being an overseer in the New Testament has nothing to do with being educated.
Problems this causes:
Many mature believers feel unqualified, frustrated, and unfulfilled in their purpose for God. They are looked down upon and rejected as overseers because they lack a Bible College degree.
7) Some Churches avoid teaching topics like repentance, holy and righteousness living, the need for forgiveness, consequences of sin, hell, and sinful lifestyles that can disqualify salvation. Instead there is an over emphasis on the grace of God or predestination of irreversible salvation by God.
Why I disagree:
Believers and non-believers alike need to know the consequences of living a sinful lifestyle. The Bible makes it clear that sinful lifestyles will keep people from God's Kingdom. Hell is a terrible place that needs to be avoided at all costs. Repentance must be a consistent part of a believer's life.
Problems this causes:
Believers think they can do what they please without consequences and that they are safe from Hell despite how they live. Sin abounds in the church. There is no fear of God or Hell. The church in general looks and acts like the world. Children disobey their parents.
8) People are asked to pray the sinner's prayer - confess they are sinners, proclaim that they believe in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for their sins, and receive Christ into their heart as their personal savior. Then they are told that they are now saved, have the Holy Spirit, and to just believe it by faith.
Why I disagree:
The New Testament does not teach that we are to ask Jesus Christ to come into our heart. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts people, draws them to God, and makes them born again in their spirit when they meet Christ's requirements. Jesus requires that people respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting, repent of their sin, believe in him, who he is, what he has done for them, and put him first, making him their Lord and living for Him. When they meet these requirements then they are born again and receive the Holy Spirit. Our focus should not be to get them to pray the sinner's prayer, but to teach them what Christ requires, have them seek Christ with all of their heart then live their life for Christ. Then the Holy Spirit will make them born again and come into their life and give them the assurance of eternal life. They will know when this has happened because of the changes that take place in their heart and thinking. Being born again begins a personal relationship with God that continues until we meet Jesus face to face.
Problems this causes:
Some non-believers think they are Christians because they have said the sinner's prayer but haven't yet met Christ's requirements and are not yet born again. If they are not truly born again but have been told they are because of saying a prayer, they will see no reality of Christ in their life since they do not have the Holy Spirit. They may conclude that Christianity is just another religious way of living and give up on it. Some people are not committed and loyal to Jesus Christ and fall away when difficulties come because they have not had a genuine experience of the Holy Spirit.
9) Church programs being run by a few people will fulfill the Great Commandments and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
Why I disagree:
God wants every believer to be involved in the Great Commandments and Great Commission. A few workers will not accomplish this. Many programs have nothing to do with these two main assignments from Jesus.
Problems this causes:
Energy, time, and money are spent running programs that are ineffective in fulfilling the Great Commandments and the Great Commission. Only a select few are involved when everyone should be involved in fulfilling these two main assignments.
10) Spiritual gifts are no longer needed, should be avoided, and/or are considered evil.
Why I disagree:
There is no indication in the Bible that we no longer need the Spiritual gifts nor does it make sense to believe they are no longer needed. The fact is we do need them as a demonstration of the power of God to prove that the good news of the Kingdom of God is real and that the God of the Bible is greater than any other god. These Spiritual gifts are the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues (languages), and interpretation of tongues (languages) 1 Cor 12:8-10.
It is through the Spiritual gifts and power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus drew people, did miracles, healed the sick, and set the oppressed free. Jesus taught that those who believe in him would do the same as He and more when they receive the Holy Spirit and power.
Problems this causes:
There is no demonstration of the power of God in most churches. Many believers are weak, sick, oppressed, and feel defeated. Many people searching for help from the church do not find it so they conclude that our God cannot help them. Unbelievers hear a lot of talk but see no power and therefore show no interest in the Kingdom of God.
11) Only some of the ministry gifts are needed like teaching (including evangelism), helping, and administration.
Why I disagree:
There is no indication in the New Testament that we no longer need all the ministry gifts nor does it make sense to believe they are no longer needed. The fact is we really do need all of the ministry gifts to function properly as the body of Christ. The ministry gifts are apostles (establish churches), prophets (give encouragement, vision and direction, expose sin), teachers (make disciples through mentoring and practice), workers of miracles, those with gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration (manage and distribute money to believers in need and for spreading the good news), and those speaking in different kinds of tongues (sharing the good news in other languages) 1 Cor 12:28.
Problems this causes:
Without the entire ministry gifts operating, there is a lack of connection, unity, vision, direction, encouragement, and power for healing, miracles and freedom which the body of Christ needs personally and needs to fulfill the Great Commandments and the Great Commission.
12) A Christian cannot have a demon.
Why I disagree:
The New Testament shares that Jesus drove demons out of some people who had faith in God. Paul the apostle warns believers not to allow the devil to get a foothold in their lives (Eph 4:26-27). The New Testament explains what demons are like and how they affect people. Demons affect and control the mind through lies and deception. Demons try to get people to agree with their lies so they can gain a foothold in and affect a person’s life in destructive ways. The outcome is emotional torment and physical sickness. When a non-believer is born again and receives the Holy Spirit, they still need to be renewed in their minds. Their problems don't all go away but their desire changes to want to follow Christ and not sin because God gives them a new heart. When believers renounce negative vows and agreements, forgive others, and have their minds renewed by God's truth, then they become free of demonic footholds in their lives and the torment stops. They may also receive physical healing. My wife and I have prayed for many believers who have received freedom from demon oppression, which sometimes resulted in physical healing.
Problems this causes:
Many believers live in terrible torment and guilt from problems they have difficulty controlling and they believe it is evil within themselves when it is a demon. They hate themselves and feel there is no hope for them to be free even though Jesus Christ desires to help them get free.
13) People should dress up and be there best for God. Most people portray an unreal mask that "everything's great" in their lives.
Why I disagree:
Jesus taught that what is on the inside is important. As a family of believers, we should be able to confess our sins and problems to each other so that we can pray for each other to be encouraged, freed from bondage and healed.
Problems this causes:
Some people feel uncomfortable dressing up and/or have no dressy clothes. People feel judged if they are real about their struggles and so will not share and receive the encouragement and ministry they need to be freed and healed.
14) People will be drawn to Jesus Christ and into the Kingdom of God by entertaining programs.
Why I disagree:
People were drawn to Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God by the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are to make disciples and do what Jesus did. The early church caused a division in the world - some repented and became believers and others persecuted believers. There was a distinct difference in the views of the Church and the views of the world.
Problems this causes:
People come to be entertained and are not affected by the Kingdom of God. The church looks and acts the same as the world.
15) Teaching the truth from the Bible and telling people to apply it to their lives, is all they need for change in their lives.
Why I disagree:
The reality is - the Church has been teaching for decades with little change in people's lives. Teaching the written Word of God and telling people to apply it is not enough. This only amounts to performance. What really changes people's lives is an encounter with the Holy Spirit who reveals the truth into their heart, breaks the chains of bondage, heals their emotions, and heals their bodies. People need to experience their Heavenly Father's love, forgiveness, freedom and healing. When this happens they are drawn closer to God and changed by his glory. There is always more to experience from God and he loves to give more. Faith comes by hearing (receiving revelation) from God, which is not just head knowledge but an experience. Oh how we need and depend on the Holy Spirit to come in power and change us.
Problems this causes:
Teaching people to simply apply the bible which amounts to "performance" causes continual failure. Striving with no real change (freedom and healing) causes frustration and hopelessness in people. Without experiencing the Holy Spirit, many give up on the Church to help them.
16) The Bible is without any errors and every word is truth.
Why I disagree:
17) The New Testament is complete and God no longer reveals anything else.
Why I disagree:
The New Testament does not include everything there is to know, and it does not include everything that happened in Jesus life as John the apostle specifies. It does not include everything that happened in the apostle’s lives nor does it include everything that was written by all the apostles (there is a missing letter from Paul the apostle). However, it does contain enough teachings of Jesus and how people can receive the Holy Spirit who continues to teach and guide believers. The New Testament was written after the fact that the Church body of Jesus Christ was formed and functioning using the teachings of Jesus, revelation by the Spiritual gifts, and the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit. It simply does not make sense that God who has provided revelation to man from the beginning, through the centuries, then through his son Jesus Christ, then through the gifts given by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, would suddenly stop providing revelation after the first century. The Acts of God have continued to be written in books since the New Testament days, as the Church body has continued to fulfill the purposes of God throughout history. God has continued to give revelation and lead people since then. These things are not included in the original New Testament Bible, but still reflects what God has been doing using the same Spiritual Gifts, miracles, and leading by the same Holy Spirit. Believers today are still receiving revelation by the Spiritual Gifts and being lead by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's purposes. Whatever God reveals today will be consistent with the truth and principles in the New Testament, which is why it is important for every believer to read it and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God's truth and principles. If something is from God, then it will produce lasting good Spiritual fruit in people's lives, it will glorify God - not man, it will build the Kingdom of God - not the kingdom of man, it will bring freedom - not control, and it will bring peace - not fear.
Problems this causes:
18) Receiving the Holy Spirit, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, or being filled with the Holy Spirit is always accompanied by speaking in tongues.
Why I disagree:
It is true that in the New Testament many times believers spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. However the best evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit is the change God produces in someone's life and the demonstration of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in someone's life. Tongues was one of the gifts given as a sign that believers had received the Holy Spirit but the focus Jesus placed on the baptism of the Holy Spirit was to receive power from on high to do the works of God. If God wants us to speak in tongues (other languages) then the Holy Spirit will initiate it without us having to fabricate it ourselves. Jesus said that when we receive the Holy Spirit we receive power and authority to heal the sick and cast out demons just as He did. We must trust God to give us the gifts of the Holy Spirit as we pray for others and as we share the good news with boldness and dependence on the Holy Spirit to come in power to heal and deliver people. There is always more to receive from the Holy Spirit through being continually filled which can come by waiting expectantly upon God or by receiving prayer from others who have already received more than us.
Problems this causes:
Some people do not believe they have received the Holy Spirit or received God's power because they do not speak in tongues. Those who speak in tongues think they are more gifted or have more power than those who don't. The focus should not be on what gifts we have received but the love we have for Jesus and one another, and whether we use the gifts that we have for His glory.
19) Believers must meet on Sundays
Why I disagree:
In the Old Testament and old covenant there were Holy men (priests), Holy places (Temple in Jerusalem and synagogues), and a Holy days (Sabbath - Saturday, and other religious days). After Jesus came and fulfilled the law, taking away its rules and regulations, he established a new covenant in which he is the King, believers are his temple, and everyday is to be lived for God. Jesus often overruled the Sabbath in order to fulfill His Father's will. Believers met every chance they could on any day. Some believers preferred Sundays and not the Sabbath. Paul told the Galatians that they were becoming slaves again to the law by observing special days, which they did not need to do.
Problems this causes:
People feel guilty to meet anytime of the week when Jesus has set them free to worship and gather any day of the week. People feel guilty about having to work or shop on a Sunday even though it was actually the Sabbath – Saturday that God originally commanded people not to work. Meeting on a Sunday has become a tradition but has no special merit in the New Testament.
20) Women should not share in a church meeting or do the work of the ministry
Why I disagree:
I’ve never read of Jesus telling women to be quiet, not to speak, or not share what was on their hearts with Him when he gathered with them and his disciples. He never dominated women either. Sometimes he revealed the truth to women first as in his resurrection. Unfortunately ever since the fall of Eve, men have blamed women for their hardships and dominated them. Yet God has used women in the Old Testament to do His work, speak for God and even save the nation from destruction. In the New Testament there were women apostles, women prophetesses, and women deacons. God has since used women to do miracles and healing by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul the apostle wrote that everyone has ministry and Spiritual gifts that should be used to build up the church and that when believers meet, everyone has something to share. How could women possibly function in their ministries without having the freedom to share or participate in a meeting? By taking a couple of verses in the New Testament out of their context which was written to a particular group and situation or problem, women are still being controlled and shut down by men. Paul the apostle wrote that all are equal in Christ despite sex or nationality. He wrote that women are not to have authority over men (which must have been a problem in a particular group) but we do not read nor can we assume that men had authority oven women. Paul wrote that a husband is the head of their wife but this does not give them authority over them, only the responsibility to lead by example, serving and loving their wives as Christ served and loved the church and died for her. No matter who shares in a meeting, men or women, everything spoken should be tested by the rest of the group before it is excepted as from the Lord. We also have the New Testament to discern the truth whereas in the early days of the church they had only the words of the apostles given to them by Jesus. So what’s the problem men that you feel you must control and shut down women? It’s not of God! When we are all with Christ in his kingdom in the end, there will be no distinction between men and women, only that those who truly serve more will be greater in His kingdom. It seems to me that many women there will be greater than men.
Problems this causes:
Women are held back from participating in meetings as God intended. We are missing out on the gifts that God has given them and the benefits of their participation. They have much to give and share which Jesus intends to use to build up His church.
The Church truly needs to change!
Will believers begin to follow the simple New Testament model and believe what the New Testament teaches?
Will believers focus on the Great Commandments and the Great Commission rather than buildings and religious traditions?
Will believers treat each other equally, and all get involved using the ministry and Spiritual gifts that God has given them?
Only when we begin to do these things will we see the world turned upside-down for Christ like in the days of the New Testament Church.
For more articles about the New Testament Church you can visit http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/ARTICLES.html.