Throughout time and culture changes have taken places within Christianity. To say that Greek and Roman culture has influenced the church and Christianity would be an understatement, even in our own day and age American culture has had an impact of change upon the church. History is full of scenes of transformation with the church. The Early Church Fathers had much influence. The Apologists were men of persuasion in their day. Emperor Constantine and the Council of Nicene brought a paradigm shift of great magnitude. Those who have followed over the years have built upon those changes. Even in modern times the church and Christianity continues to change, or do I dare say evolve. Most Christians do not realize that a majority of the concepts and practices associated with what we call church today are rooted in patterns established in a post-apostolic era. And as I look at the history of the church and Christianity in general I must acknowledge it is vastly different from the early days of the first century. As I journey in this walk of faith, and compare the church of Scripture and early history with the modern church my soul is stirred with a desire to Return to Christianity of the Apostles. 

Thus the questions:

How far has the twenty first century church come? 

Or rather how far has today’s modern church gone from apostolic Christianity? 

How close or far are today’s “churches” from apostolic principles and practices? 

How many of today’s practices are truly apostolic in nature and precept? 

Almost all church groups claim to be the “apostolic church,” but are all church groups truly practicing Christianity of the Apostles?

Christian author David K. Bernard in his book History of Christian Doctrine Volume 1 says “Originally, there was a sharp conflict between Christianity and all forms of paganism. The primary reason was the exclusive claims of Christianity.” 

It is time to open our hearts and minds to the Spirit of Christ. Let Him speak to us. Let Him open His word, and His ways for us to have a deeper understanding of what Apostolic Christianity was and needs to be. 

A question I have often asked myself and those whom God has allowed me to share this walk of faith with is: What was first century Christianity like, and why were they so successful? Can we and should we desire to have that type of Christianity? 

What is different from Christianity of the first century and Christianity of the twenty-first century? How far have we come, or how far have we gone, and what will it take to get back? Do you desire to have Christianity of the Apostles, or are you happy and satisfied with Modern Christianity? These are questions you will have to answer yourself. 

Hopefully your spirit will be challenged to seek God for guidance to have Christianity of the Apostles. 

May God bless you as you continue to walk with Him. It is a journey; a life long journey. This “Return to Christianity of the Apostles” is a journey as well. We (I) and those of our local fellowship are on this journey. We have not arrived yet, but with the help of our Lord we will make the trip and “Return to Christianity of the Apostles.”

The modern church has been influenced over many hundreds of years to the point that many don’t resemble apostolic Christianity at all.

Leonard Ravenhill said "The church as we know it today seems a million miles from the New Testament church. That may be a great generalization, but I will stand on it. There is a gulf between our average Christianity and the church of The New Testament that makes the Grand Canyon look like a cavity in someone's tooth." 

The church portrayed in the New Testament was an organism, a living body with many parts. Shortly after the turn of the first century with the death of the original apostles new and extra biblical practices began to take root within the church. During the second century the church developed into an institution with a fixed and complex hierarchy system. Then in the fourth century with the rise of Emperor Constantine great changes were brought into the church, most of them with origins in paganism. 

A professor of history and scholar from Cambridge University H.A. Drake says during the time of Constantine’s reign which was about thirty years “more changes took place in the status, structure, and beliefs of the Christian Church than during any previous period of history.” 

During Constantine time, money from state funds was used to build special buildings (now called churches). Christianity was declared to be the state religion. As a result of the Edict of Milan thousands of pagans “joined” the church because it was politically correct; after all, their Emperor embraced Christianity. This great influx resulted in the adoption of many false doctrines. They (Constantine and the pagan masses) were never spiritually converted. The final result, many pagan practices were woven into Christianity changing it to the point the apostles would find it unrecognizable. From Constantine onwards the state began to mingle in church affairs. The saddest part is many of these customs, traditions and practices are still in the church today. 

Furthermore, there are many practices carried over from the dark ages and other post apostolic influences still very much entrenched in modern American Christianity. There are multitudes of groups of people (denominations) who confess Christianity while shielding their eyes from the truth of Scripture and history. There are multitudes of local assemblies infected with the influence of pagan, worldly, and political powers. It is time to cleanse ourselves as people of God from these post apostolic influences.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Indeed, many are coming out (leaving the institutional church system), and calling for a return to apostolic Christianity or as some call it simple church. I praise God for those who are speaking up and speaking out, calling for a return to pure Christianity. I thank God for those who are calling for a true apostolic reformation. I am hopeful, because many are waking up and making this transition. God is indeed stirring His people to return to the ways of apostolic Christianity. 

Milt Rodriguez says it best “We were never supposed to allow the world (culture or society) to call the shots for the church! In fact, the two should be in direct conflict with each other.” 

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4)

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16)

The people of God have indeed come a long way in two thousand years, but God never asked or told us to depart from the apostolic pattern or precepts.

It is time to break from the influences of old, and embrace biblical Christianity in its fullest. Will you return to Apostolic Christianity, or will you hold to a mixture of apostolic Christianity and worldly/pagan influences? 

Will you continue to mix the holy with the profane, or will you be bold enough to be different? The choice is yours.