The Mission or the Model?

The assembly of people that began on the Pentecost following Christ’s resurrection serves as a model for us, even in the 21st Century. We follow the patterns that were set up by the early church in that we respect the way they understood the authority that governed them. We observe how the early church worshipped, and follow the pattern of a cappella singing and remembering our Lord’s death and resurrection each first day of the week. We seek to follow the words given to Timothy and Titus in that we want the fullness of the gospel proclaimed in ways that befit sound doctrine. It is good that we follow the model of that church. I believe this is what God wants. But now consider an illustration. Suppose some years ago a couple of men put together a plan for a sales organization. These entrepreneurs had the idea of gathering together…