I recently received this e-mail from Andrew Strom’s Revivalschool (and also from numerous friends who received the same e-mail and forwarded it to me) and found it to be of interest.
DOES THIS SOUND like ACTS??
-Andrew Strom.The following piece is supposed to be a satire - taken from “sacredsandwich.com”. But as you read it, think of the serious truth behind what is being put across.
Just HOW DIFFERENT are we from the Book of Acts church today - even our “better” churches? I once did a study of Acts chapters 2 - 7 and found to my shock that there is NO SIGNIFICANT SIMILARITY at all between Christianity today and Christianity in the Bible. Yes - thats right. We have almost NOTHING in common with the New Testament church - or the Christianity founded by Jesus and the apostles. -ALMOST NOTHING.
You will find the following satire quite humorous. But after you have read it, please sit down and read the REAL extract from Acts chapter 2, and ask yourself how YOUR version of Christianity compares with the Bible - point by point. Here is the hilarious “SacredSandwich” version:
SATIRE:-
“AC 2:42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ new bestsellers and to small group meetings, to the eating of Krispy Kreme donuts in the church foyer and to contemplative spirituality. 43 And everyone kept feeling the bass from the praise and worship rock band; and many video clips and light shows were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together at three different services, and had casual attire in common; 45 and they began selling their stocks and bonds, and were giving the proceeds to the building campaign, as the church might have need.
46 And day by day continuing with one vision in the new million-dollar sanctuary, and sending church mailers from house to house, they were having celebration dinners together with gladness and self-esteem in the heart, 47 praising God, and finding favor with all the people‘s felt needs. And the Lord (along with Peter, the original inventor of perpetual revival) was adding to their number day by day those who were finding purpose.”
Yes - funny wasn’t it? Now, please go to Acts and compare your OWN Christianity with the real thing. What are the points of difference?
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
Intrigued , amused, as well as being solemly reminded of how far we have gone off the deep end, I went and looked at the same verses in the New King James Version where it states:
Acts 2:42-47
(New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church[a] daily those who were being saved.
There is a difference, a huge difference between the church of Acts and the church of the Actors/Entertainers. One church is reverent, the other is relevant. One church is fulfilling a Great Comission while the other church is trying to define (and re-defined numerous times) their niche-market demographic mission. One church is praying for grace and mercy while learning how to line up their will and emotions to the will of God while the other church is preying on emotions while a few is implementing their will over everyone. One church is raising up disciples while the other church is building a new building/gymnasium/media center redefined as ‘campus’.
The differences are night and day.
