Which denomination best resembles the Church of the 1st Century?

[Albion]

Which denomination today most closely resembles the Christian Church of the First Century?

Why do you think so?

 

[Lamb]

Do you mean the church service style? Of course, I say the churches that have the liturgy are closer than the contemporary worship services.

 

[Albion]

Do you mean the church service style? Of course, I say the churches that have the liturgy are closer than the contemporary worship services.

I meant to ask about any or all comparisons that the poster might consider significant or even critical--church service style, certain doctrines, other practices, etc.

I would expect some people to value or rank certain characteristics higher than other ones, and higher than the choice made by the next poster. Yet we often hear people generalizing about the matter and saying that their denomination is 'more like the early church than any other', ergo it's the "true" one (in their opinion).

Well, "more like" in what respect(s)? That's the question I was asking. Or to put it another way, "Which denomination can make the best case about being the one that's most similar to the early church?"

It's unlikely that a close look is going to show us that there is any denomination today that is identical to the early church all round.

 

[Joshua1Eight]

The holy Catholic Church is the only church that maintains the traditions of the early church

 

[Albion]

The holy Catholic Church is the only church that maintains the traditions of the early church

Well, that's clearly not self-evident. And the Original Post asked for the reason(s) for your selection.

But why don't you go ahead and 'fill-in the blanks' for us by listing some of the traditions of the early church that you believe the RCC to be maintaining.

When doing so, OMIT the many practices and doctrines that were added by the Roman Catholic Church AFTER the first century, since these changes conflict with any claim about the Church being like the first century church.

 

[atpollard]

Amish … reread Acts and compare it to the other denominations.
(cults occasionally come even closer in practice, but deny the “power” of Christ).

Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35 [NKJV]
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid [them] at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.​

 

[Albion]

Amish … reread Acts and compare it to the other denominations.
(cults occasionally come even closer in practice, but deny the “power” of Christ).

Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35 [NKJV]​

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid [them] at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.​

That's close to being the only characteristic the Amish share with the earliest Christians, though.

 

[Fritz Kobus]

Amish … reread Acts and compare it to the other denominations.
(cults occasionally come even closer in practice, but deny the “power” of Christ).

Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35 [NKJV]​

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid [them] at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.​

Not the Amish. They do not have all their possessions in common. But the Hutterites do.

 

[tango]

Which denomination today most closely resembles the Christian Church of the First Century?

Why do you think so?

Well, my denomination. Because, obviously, duh....

 

[Lanman87]

To answer that question we need to know what the first century church looked like.

The closest thing we have to explaining the first century church, other than the New Testament is the Didache. It is supposed to be the oldest non-Canon writing of the early church.

We can see that they Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that they baptized in "Living Water" (which many scholars take to be immersion in a river or lake), but allowance was made for baptizing in other water and by pouring water three times. Chapter 7.

They fast on Wednesday and Friday, instead of Monday and Thursday (like the hypocrites do). Chapter 8

They took the Thanksgiving Meal (Eucharist) and it was given only to those who had been baptized. Chapter 9

They said a Prayer after the Eucharist meal thanking God for "Spiritual Food and Drink". Chapter 10

They were to welcome fellow Christians. Chapter 12

They financially supported "their prophet" and the poor, Chapter 13

They assembled on the "Lord's Day", broke bread, offered Thanksgiving, and confessed so that their sacrifice will be pure. Chapter 14

note-A Catholic will tell you that Sacrifice means the Eucharist but that doesn't really fit the context or scripture in light of Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:5, the sacrifices we bring are a living sacrifice of ourselves and our praise. Plus, we as Christians bring no sacrifice to the alter, we aren't Christians because of our sacrifice, we are Christians because of Christ Sacrifice.

They appointed their own Bishops and Deacons. Chapter 15

They waited faithfully for the Coming of the Lord, Chapter 16

So we see, not many of our 21st century churches are exactly like the 1st Century church.

Most of us aren't instructed to fast on Wednesday's and Friday's.

Infant baptism by dripping some water over the baby is the most common form of baptism instead of immersion or pouring

Most churches do not take the Lord's Supper when they meet on the first day of the week. For centuries even the Catholic church didn't offer communion to the congregation weekly. It only became the weekly part of the Catholic Mass after the Reformation because the reformed churches were taking it weekly. Most American Evangelical churches take communion 4 times a year or 12 times a year. I understand that
the practice is varied among Lutherans', Anglicans, and Presbyterians.

Most churches today do not appoint their own bishops (elders) and some don't even appoint their own deacons. More often than not a Regional Bishop/Elder will appoint the bishop/elder/pastor for local congregations under their jurisdiction.

 

[Josiah]

To answer that question we need to know what the first century church looked like.

The closest thing we have to explaining the first century church, other than the New Testament is the Didache. It is supposed to be the oldest non-Canon writing of the early church.

We can see that they Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that they baptized in "Living Water" (which many scholars take to be immersion in a river or lake), but allowance was made for baptizing in other water and by pouring water three times. Chapter 7.

They fast on Wednesday and Friday, instead of Monday and Thursday (like the hypocrites do). Chapter 8

They took the Thanksgiving Meal (Eucharist) and it was given only to those who had been baptized. Chapter 9

They said a Prayer after the Eucharist meal thanking God for "Spiritual Food and Drink". Chapter 10

They were to welcome fellow Christians. Chapter 12

They financially supported "their prophet" and the poor, Chapter 13

They assembled on the "Lord's Day", broke bread, offered Thanksgiving, and confessed so that their sacrifice will be pure. Chapter 14

note-A Catholic will tell you that Sacrifice means the Eucharist but that doesn't really fit the context or scripture in light of Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:5, the sacrifices we bring are a living sacrifice of ourselves and our praise. Plus, we as Christians bring no sacrifice to the alter, we aren't Christians because of our sacrifice, we are Christians because of Christ Sacrifice.

They appointed their own Bishops and Deacons. Chapter 15

They waited faithfully for the Coming of the Lord, Chapter 16

So we see, not many of our 21st century churches are exactly like the 1st Century church.

Most of us aren't instructed to fast on Wednesday's and Friday's.

Infant baptism by dripping some water over the baby is the most common form of baptism instead of immersion or pouring

Most churches do not take the Lord's Supper when they meet on the first day of the week. For centuries even the Catholic church didn't offer communion to the congregation weekly. It only became the weekly part of the Catholic Mass after the Reformation because the reformed churches were taking it weekly. Most American Evangelical churches take communion 4 times a year or 12 times a year. I understand that
the practice is varied among Lutherans', Anglicans, and Presbyterians.

Most churches today do not appoint their own bishops (elders) and some don't even appoint their own deacons. More often than not a Regional Bishop/Elder will appoint the bishop/elder/pastor for local congregations under their jurisdiction.

Thank you!

As for Lutherans....

1. Some DO appoint their own pastors and "deacons" and in a sense Bishops.

2. Most DO receive the Eucharist each Sunday, but the Didache doesn't say this is a must, only that it was common.

3. Most baptize by sprinkling which was permitted but admit in the earliest church, immersion was more common.


.

 

[Lanman87]

Thank you!

What interest me about this topic is the belief that "doing things the way the early church did" is the only viable way to "have church".

When God inspired the New Testament He could have delivered precise instructions on when to take the Lord's Supper, how often and when to meet, how many songs to sing, given a hierarchy of who is in charge and how to appoint those in charge and so forth. (Which is what the Law in the Old Testament did)

Instead of precise instructions we have vague instructions to believe, appoint leaders, love, worship, sing, pray, baptize, teach, meet, and so forth. We are given guidelines instead of detailed instructions. Nothing says meet at 10:30 on Sunday morning or have Wednesday night Bible Study and VBS for the kids during the summer.

Maybe instead of God giving us an order of worship and checklist of "how to have church", he wants to worship and serve out of an expression of our hearts, loves, talents, and gifts.

Maybe if He had given us a precise liturgy/practice we would be more concerned with following the liturgy instead of loving Him and loving others.

That is just a thought that went through my head as I pondered this question.

 

[Albion]

To answer that question we need to know what the first century church looked like.

The closest thing we have to explaining the first century church, other than the New Testament is the Didache. It is supposed to be the oldest non-Canon writing of the early church.

We can see that they Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that they baptized in "Living Water" (which many scholars take to be immersion in a river or lake), but allowance was made for baptizing in other water and by pouring water three times. Chapter 7.

They fast on Wednesday and Friday, instead of Monday and Thursday (like the hypocrites do). Chapter 8

They took the Thanksgiving Meal (Eucharist) and it was given only to those who had been baptized. Chapter 9

They said a Prayer after the Eucharist meal thanking God for "Spiritual Food and Drink". Chapter 10

They were to welcome fellow Christians. Chapter 12

They financially supported "their prophet" and the poor, Chapter 13

They assembled on the "Lord's Day", broke bread, offered Thanksgiving, and confessed so that their sacrifice will be pure. Chapter 14

note-A Catholic will tell you that Sacrifice means the Eucharist but that doesn't really fit the context or scripture in light of Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:5, the sacrifices we bring are a living sacrifice of ourselves and our praise. Plus, we as Christians bring no sacrifice to the alter, we aren't Christians because of our sacrifice, we are Christians because of Christ Sacrifice.

They appointed their own Bishops and Deacons. Chapter 15

They waited faithfully for the Coming of the Lord, Chapter 16

So we see, not many of our 21st century churches are exactly like the 1st Century church.

Most of us aren't instructed to fast on Wednesday's and Friday's.

Infant baptism by dripping some water over the baby is the most common form of baptism instead of immersion or pouring

Most churches do not take the Lord's Supper when they meet on the first day of the week. For centuries even the Catholic church didn't offer communion to the congregation weekly. It only became the weekly part of the Catholic Mass after the Reformation because the reformed churches were taking it weekly. Most American Evangelical churches take communion 4 times a year or 12 times a year. I understand that
the practice is varied among Lutherans', Anglicans, and Presbyterians.

Most churches today do not appoint their own bishops (elders) and some don't even appoint their own deacons. More often than not a Regional Bishop/Elder will appoint the bishop/elder/pastor for local congregations under their jurisdiction.

There aren't many churches that "drip" water upon the candidate's head in Baptism, but that little item aside, I thought that the drift of the replies so far tended towards suggesting that it is the catholic-type church bodies (not necessarily the Roman Catholic Church) which are closest to the original Christians.

It also appears that a lot has been reported about what we might call practices and relatively little about doctrine. The latter might be what will finally decide the answer to the question.

 

[Josiah]

It also appears that a lot has been reported about what we might call practices and relatively little about doctrine. The latter might be what will finally decide the answer to the question.

.

 

[atpollard]

The closest thing we have to explaining the first century church, other than the New Testament is the Didache. It is supposed to be the oldest non-Canon writing of the early church.

Isn’t the Didache a glimpse into the more structured 2nd Century Church?

 

[Lanman87]

Isn’t the Didache a glimpse into the more structured 2nd Century Church?

Most historians I've read think it was a late 1st Century writing. However, there are some who date it in the early 2nd Century.

 

[Lanman87]

There aren't many churches that "drip" water upon the candidate's head in Baptism,

The few infant baptisms I've seen, (Presbyterian and Methodist) did just that. The pastor took a few drops of water and rubbed it on the babies forehead. It certainly wasn't pouring. Of course, my experience may not be the norm.

 

[Albion]

The few infant baptisms I've seen, (Presbyterian and Methodist) did just that. The pastor took a few drops of water and rubbed it on the babies forehead. It certainly wasn't pouring. Of course, my experience may not be the norm.

Well, it's true that you can find all sorts of methods in use somewhere, and that what you describe does happen. The most common methods of baptizing--all churches considered--is still to do it by either immersion or affusion.

What grabs my attention is when people use words like "sprinkle" or "drip" and insist that this is how other churches do it (incorrectly), I feel that those words were chosen because they belittle the practice of the churches that don't normally baptize by immersion. They sound funny or trivial, you know. It's similar to when Protestants refer to the Catholic host used in Holy Communion as a "cracker."

 

[Albion]

What interest me about this topic is the belief that "doing things the way the early church did" is the only viable way to "have church".

But just to be clearer, that isn't the whole of what the Original Post here asked about.

I agree that we hear many people and church bodies putting the issue as your comment (above) worded it, asking what the early church DID (and this in very general terms). However, the New Testament and secular history provide many answers concerning the early church's understanding of the deeper meaning, etc. of such matters as you pointed to below.

When God inspired the New Testament He could have delivered precise instructions on when to take the Lord's Supper, how often and when to meet, how many songs to sing, given a hierarchy of who is in charge and how to appoint those in charge and so forth. (Which is what the Law in the Old Testament did)

Instead of precise instructions we have vague instructions to believe, appoint leaders, love, worship, sing, pray, baptize, teach, meet, and so forth. We are given guidelines instead of detailed instructions.
Nothing says meet at 10:30 on Sunday morning or have Wednesday night Bible Study and VBS for the kids during the summer.

 

[Albion]

When it comes to doctrines of the early church, one belief is among the most prominent. That's the belief called 'Real Presence.'

The idea that the bread and wine of Holy Communion in some way take on the presence of Christ is clear, not that it's just a Christian version of the Passover or a mere symbol. Yet the issue divides today's denominations very sharply and has provoked innumerable arguments about who's right.

Because this is the most prevalent sacrament in Christianity, that doctrine has to place all denominations which still believe in the Real Presence in a good position whenever the debates about authenticity arise.