Many Christians believe that the Book of Acts describes the Christian community, or church, in its pristine condition, and that it should be our "pattern" for what a church is, and what it believes and practices. I have no problem with deriving truth in doctrine and practice from the Book of Acts, but I question why those who point to the Book of Acts as our pattern (such as many in the "church of Christ," in "reformed" and "hardshell" churches), forget that the Book of Acts describes the first Christian ministry as
"A tongue-speaking, cripple-healing, dead-raising, demon-expelling, liar-slaying, prison-breaking, house-shaking, sorcerer-cursing, vision-seeing, future-predicting, miracle ministry." (Vincent Cheung, in his Systematic Theology, see here)
I have enjoyed a lot of Cheung's writings over the years. His writings on the error of strict cessationism is close to my own view. His defense of the doctrines of grace and of Supralapsarianism are superb. You can visit Cheung's web page HERE) His books and writings are available for free. Warning: he speaks frankly, bluntly, and sarcastically, when battling errorists and heretics. My manner is a good bit more mild than his.
"And Gideon said unto him, “Oh my lord, if the Lord be with us, why then has all this befallen us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’" (Judges 6: 13)
Should we not be asking the same questions today?
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