Just How Were Things Done In The Early Church?

Was the early church intended to be organized as such, that one man ruled the gatherings, one man was Lord over the flock, one man preached, one man testified, one man glorified, one man alone shared for the Glory of God?

Nope! It was to be an interaction in an orderly fashion, of the whole body that was gathered together, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, that all may play a part, in testifying, edifying, exhorting, prophesying, sharing psalms and spiritual songs with one another. Each was to give preference to the other, and take an interest in the things that God was doing in the lives of others, not just their own. Was it given that only one man should share the gospel? No we are all to share the gospel as the Holy Spirit leads us.

1 Corinthians 14:26-33
26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Note: I felt led to drop this comment here, if you read vs 34. You may think that women have no place to share what God has done for them, when they are gathered with believers.
Many have made a doctrine out of this verse and said, "Well men may speak in church and be used, but women can't"....They are wrong, the verse is referring to silly women who were speaking out of turn, and who were asking questions, that they should have put aside to ask their husbands when they went home. They were women who were not seeking to edify, but rather cause confusion, and disorder.

Think about it, if it were such that women were to have no part in gatherings of believers, then the Lord would not have poured His Spirit out upon them, that they may prophesy. With God there is no partiality, neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, all may be used for HIS GLORY! One cannot take one scripture out of context and make a doctrine out of it, though it is done.

Acts 2:16-18-Peter speaking!
16. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

1 Corinthians 14:40-referring to when the body of believers is gathered together!
Let all things be done decently and in order.

I am afraid that the thing that calls its self the church is a mere shadow of what it was intended to be, for the most part!

The early church knew one another, they fellowshiped daily in one another's homes, they cared for the needs of one another. These days you can go into a church, or amongst those that call themselves Christians, and feel like you are in amongst the world, in fact sometimes worldly people can be friendlier.

Oh how men love to control, the controlling spirit of "Jezebel" who hated the Prophets of God, is not just negated to women, it is rife amongst men as well. Man does not want, nor trust the Holy Spirit, to take control out of their hands.
Am I saying there should not be leaders, no I am not, but leaders are to be humble, examples to the flock, not Lords over the brethren. He who would be greatest amongst you, let him be servant of all. Leaders have a far more weighty responsibility before God, than do others. We whether called to a leadership position or not, are all merely brethren, we all have a part to play in God's plan.

Church curriculum's for the most part rule teachings these days, men do not get on their face before God for a Word, they rely on something someone else has written, to feed the flock.
It is so sad that denominations convince a new convert, one who is on fire for God, to go to their seminary (cemetery), to become a preacher. Or the new convert thinks that is what is required, in order to share the gospel. In those denominational institutions, they are indoctrinated into a man made denomination, and taught how to Lord it over the flock. They are taught what to believe, and what to teach others to believe. Outside of the Grace of God, their fire is watered down, and they become controlled by the denomination, church boards and church members, rather than the Holy Spirit.
They depend upon the flock to make their living, they have a career now!

I have been visiting a church of late, merely out of necessity to honor the wishes of another, and I must say nary a word of scripture is put forth in that place, at least not in the services I have attended. It seems like a place of famine! It takes all my strength just to sit there. The spirit of control is prevalent, palpable.

These days men seem to feel that their opinions, (for example Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, just two of hundreds) far out weight the written Word of God. I tell you if people depended on men for their salvation, and their knowledge of God, they will be lost and malnourished. Men who compromise the Word of God are an abomination to HIM.

What were we told to do-"Preach the Word!" It is the preaching of the Word that brings Faith, and conviction, and helps lead men toward salvation, it is the preaching of the Word that brings, strength, hope, and deliverance!

The church of Acts, went boldly, daily to the Temple of the Jews, who were still under the law, to pray and to share the truth, and to manifest Jesus Christ, in healing, and testimonies of the power of God, and to prophesy to the people. See Acts Chapter 2

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. "And the LORD added to the church daily such as should be saved"...

Note: it doesn't say added to the Temple...for our bodies are the temple of the Living God!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Mark 11:17-18-Jesus said:
17. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
18. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

We need to pray earnestly for Pastors, and church leaders, that they, in this hour will seek God with all their hearts, minds and souls. For they shall be held accountable before God for their ministry to HIS sheep!