Bible Question: What were some of the problems that the early church faced in the first century? What are some of the problems that the church is facing today? How did the early church deal with their problems, and how is the present-day church (or churches) dealing with theirs?Please try to document your answers as much as possible. --Hank |
Bible Answer: Hank ... Some may consider persecution a problem. I do not - tho our attitude toward it may be one. The problems stem from selfishness and disobedience. With thanks to David Riggs ... here is a partial list. 1. Preacher troubles. a. Some fail to preach the whole truth - will not condemn certain sins. Acts 20:27 b. Some build a party (clique) about themselves. Thus, men follow them rather than the Lord. 1 Cor. 1:12-13; 2 Cor. 4:5 c. Some are trouble makers - thrive on controversy, ride their hobbies. Titus 3:10 d. Some live ungodly lives. 2 Pet. 2:13a-14a e. False teaching. Titus 1:10-14 f. Unqulaified. 1 Tim. 3:1-7 2. Elder problems. Acts 20:30 a. Unqualified. 1 Tim 3:8-10; Tit. 1:6-9. b. Sometimes members will not submit to them. 2 Cor. 10:10; Heb. 13:17 3. Forcing opinions on others. Rom. 14:1-3. Some are strong, others are weak. 4. Desire for preeminence. 3 John 9 - could lead to ... 5. Envy and jealousy. 1 Cor. 3:1-3; James 3:13-16 6. Partiality. 1 Ti |