10 Things the Church Has That the Bible Doesn’t

Have you observed the average evangelical church of today with Bible in hand? If so, you may have noticed a number of things the church has that the Bible doesn’t.

1. Buildings. Perhaps most obviously, the early church was not confined to a church building with steeple and pews. No building campaigns, mortgages, custodians, and carpet discussions. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. Col 4:15

2. Large Gatherings. Because these churches met in homes, they could only grow so large. Imagine the experience of a few families sharing their lives together, as opposed to hundreds, even thousands, who don’t even recognize others who attend the same church.

3. Sunday School. Nothing of the sort is to be found. No programs, classes, or curriculum.

4. Age Segregation. Speaking of Sunday School, there is no indication that the early church divided into age groups to learn about God. No children’s church, youth groups, or “age-appropriate” learning. Instead, we see church leaders addressing children directly in the worship gathering: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Eph 6:1

5. Membership. All followers of Christ are members of the same Body. Beyond that, no “church membership” is distinctly defined in Scripture. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Cor 12:27

6. Service Times. Who’s to say the early church didn’t meet at 6 pm? Or 8am? Or both? And what if they met for 2 hours or more? No verse demands 10:45am-12noon, and no verse suggests multiple services in a day. On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. Acts 20:7

7. Sermons. Read every description of the church’s gathering, and you’ll find no mention of a sermon. Teaching, perhaps. But no sermon. Preaching of the gospel took place outside the church gathering. Teaching of the Word occurred within. And even then, I’m not so sure they followed the practice of a lecture-style presentation where one leader speaks and all others simply listen. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

8. Worship Sets. In fact, shock of all shockers, you will find no worship leader, no worship team, and no rehearsals. What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 1 Cor 14:26

9. Offertories. No shiny offering plates passed by ushers while pretty music is played. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:45

10. Altar Calls. No appeal for unbelievers to walk down the aisle to accept Christ. Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that this was a gathering of believers who were being taught the Word, not evangelized. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:47

Now, do we scratch it because it’s not in the Bible? Not necessarily. But we do acknowledge that these are not things the Bible prescribes, suggests, or models. How easy it is to equate our experience or tradition with the Bible’s instruction!

And while these things may or may not be helpful to the practice of our church gathering, they are certainly unhelpful if we can’t let them go.

Once again, it all comes back to “why.” Why do we do the things we do? If it’s because the Bible says so, we’re always on good ground. If it’s because it’s the way we’ve always done it, that’s no good reason at all. But if we recognize that these are man-made ideas which may {or may not} help us to accomplish God-given instruction well, then that’s something to consider. And to keep considering. And questioning. And evaluating.

For in the end, these ten things are still things the church has that the Bible doesn’t.