Restoration of Untainted Christianity

The message of Jesus Christ and the true practice of walking in the Spirit taught by Jesus and explained further in Paul's letters is often lost in the clutter of church practices that have no origin in God's word. Centuries of Gnosticism, Imperial Christianity, Enlightenment Philosophy have distorted the simple way that Jesus introduced to the Disciples in some cases beyond recognition. The modern obsession with numbers of people and dollars have further added to the morass of confusion that leaves most of our contemporaries with a bitter taste upon exposure to the Christian culture.

We can't blame the skeptic when what they see is so unlike the Christianity that used to be so attractive that people endured torture during the Age of Persecution. The call to exhume the untainted way of Jesus from these incompatible philosophies is strong in the church today. Solid church members are tired of hearing about how the church needs more money in Sunday morning services. If only unconsciously, mature Christians sense that there is too much focus on programs and various honors of men than a simple love for one another and an interest in saving those who have not been introduced to Jesus in any real way.

Giving

We view the explanation of differences of priesthood described in the seventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews as the theological explanation for why a new standard in giving applies to those following Christ. In summary, tithing is obsolete.

Tithing always was intended to support the sacrificial ceremonies of the Levitical priesthood. When Christ dies for our sins, a new priesthood was established. Jesus Christ, having made a complete sacrifice for all time on behalf of those who believe in Him, requires no funding to accomplish the work He already completed.

The new model for Christian finances is described in detail throughout the New Testament.

  • Believers support evangelists (with evangelism defined as the work of sharing the message of the love of God expressed through salvation in Jesus Christ) and those who worked in the churches. (See Luke 8:2; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8:3-5, 9:10-14, 11:8-11; Phi 4:10-16; and 3 John 1:8.)
  • Christian workers were often bivocational - working both for Christ and in paid jobs. (See Acts 18:2-4; 1 Th 2:9; and 2 Th 3:7-9.)
  • Christian leaders were paid by the church. (See 1 Tim 5:17-18.)
  • Wealth is to be shared among believers, which is not Communism in the political sense, but is actually the formation of true Community, where mutual trust springs from a radical shared belief in Christ. (See Acts 4:34-37; 2 Cor 8:12-15; and I Tim 6:17-19.)
  • Accepting food and shelter from those with whom we share the good news of salvation through Christ. (See Matt 10:10)
  • Food, clothing, and shelter are to be provided to believers in need. (See James 2:15-16 and 1 John 3:16-17.)
  • Food, clothing, shelter, and compassion is to be shown to all people. (See Pro 22:9 & 28:27; Matt 6:1-4, 19:16-26, & 25:34-46; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 10:25-37, 14:13-14, & 19:8-9; Acts 10:1-4, and 2 Cor 9:6-9.)
  • Great concern over finances is discouraged. (See Mat 6:24, 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 12:15-34, & 19:8-9; and Phi 4:11-13.)
  • Going into debt or defrauding another person for money is prohibited. (See Pro 22:7 and Luke 19:8-9.)
  • Only giving out of love is of any value. (See 1 Cor 13:3 and 2 Cor 9:6-9.)