Simply Receive His Sacrifice

Returning to the Authentic New Testament ChurchToday, we address a pressing question in Christian faith: Should the church return to its New Testament model of house gatherings, or is the modern, institutional church a rightful evolution of Christian worship? Arguing for a return to first-century gatherings is The Advocate for New Testament Authenticity. Opposing this view is The Defender of Modern Church Tradition. Let's begin the debate:The modern church is built on a foundation of rituals, clergy hierarchies, and ornate buildingsnone of which were part of the first-century Christian gatherings. Jesus never instructed His followers to build temples or establish a priestly order. Instead, the early believers met in homes, shared meals, and encouraged one another in faith (Acts 2:42-47). This intimate, participatory model created disciples, not passive spectators.Really? That may be true historically, but the church has evolved. We need dedicated spaces for worship, structure for organization, and trained leaders to guide the flock. After all, Constantine's legalization of Christianity in the fourth century allowed the faith to flourish and expand. Without church buildings and an established clergy, how would the church have grown?That's precisely where the problem began! Constantine merged Christianity with Roman and Babylonian religious structures, institutionalizing the church and diverting it from its original purpose. He introduced altars, priests, and grand buildingsconcepts foreign to the New Testament church. The true growth of Christianity happened under persecution, when believers met in homes and lived out their faith in real relationships. Jesus declared that true worship is in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), not in sacred places. The institutional model has led to pew-sitters, not disciples.Church buildings provide a place of reverence, a sanctuary where people can come together to worship. They unify large congregations and create a visible presence in society. Jesus Himself worshiped in the synagogue, which shows that sacred spaces aren't inherently wrong.Yes, Jesus visited synagogues, but He never instructed His followers to build them. The New Testament church gathered in homes because they understood that the body of Christ itselfnot a physical structureis the true temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). After the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD, God made it clear that the era of sacred spaces and ritual sacrifice was over. Why, then, have we rebuilt what He tore down?If that's the case, why have so many church movements throughout history upheld formal worship? Even the Protestant Reformation, which rejected many Catholic traditions, kept the church service as a central gathering. Surely, if house churches were superior, they would have been revived long ago.Reformations tried to fix a system that was already broken. The Protestant reformers removed some corruption but kept the underlying structure of clergy dominance and ritualistic gatherings. The result? A modern church that still resembles Rome more than the early believers. Instead of participatory gatherings, we have scripted services. Instead of disciple-making communities, we have passive audiences watching performances.While I respect the desire for a return to simplicity, the institutional church has its place. It provides stability, leadership, and a visible presence in society.If we truly want to follow Christ, we must strip away the traditions that have diluted the church's power. The early Christians knew something we've forgotten: church is not a place we goit's who we are. The time has come to return to that truth.

Simply a Christian with Sammy and Liamm is a call to return to the purity, simplicity, and power of the first-century church. In a world where Christianity has become entangled with denominational traditions, institutional structures, and man-made doctrines, this book challenges believers to strip away unnecessary complexity and rediscover the core of their faithJesus Christ, His Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.The early church functioned as a living body, with every believer actively participating, using their spiritual gifts, and relying on the Spirit's direction rather than rigid structures or religious hierarchies. Today, however, many churches emphasize programs, positions, and performances over personal spiritual growth and true biblical fellowship. Simply a Christian explores what it means to break free from these constraints and walk in the simplicity of Christ, as demonstrated by the apostles and the first followers of Jesus.This book is deeply rooted in Scripture, using the New King James Version to illustrate how believers can live out their faith in a way that aligns with the teachings of Jesus and His apostles. The Bible, not human tradition, is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice. From the book of Acts to Paul's epistles, Simply a Christian examines how the early church gathered, worshiped, served, and grew in the knowledge of Christand how we can follow their example today.Key Themes Explored in the Book:The Simplicity of the Early Church: How the first-century believers met in homes, shared meals, and encouraged one another without rigid structures or denominational barriers.The Role of the Holy Spirit: Understanding the Spirit's role in leading the church and how believers can learn to hear His voice and follow His guidance.Spiritual Gifts and Body Ministry: Recognizing that every believer has been given gifts to serve and strengthen the body of Christ, rather than relying on a select few to do all the ministry.Discernment and the Danger of Human Influence: Guarding against false doctrines, worldly philosophies, and religious traditions that pull us away from the truth of Scripture.True Christian Fellowship: Moving beyond Sunday services and into daily, Spirit-led relationships that build one another up in love.Through real-world examples, Simply a Christian contrasts the early church's model with the modern church's tendencies toward formality, control, and passive participation. It invites readers to challenge the status quo and embrace a faith that is active, personal, and transformative.This book is for those who feel that something is missing in their Christian walk, for those weary of church politics and division, and for those longing for the deep, Spirit-led fellowship described in the New Testament. It is a call to return to the foundation laid by Jesus and the apostles, leaving behind anything that distracts from His truth.If you desire a closer relationship with God, a more meaningful connection with fellow believers, and a faith built solely on Christ and His Word, Simply a Christian will challenge, encourage, and inspire you to live as the early disciples didfree, devoted, and fully surrendered to God.