Magyar Egyház, 1979 (58. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-02-01 / 2-3. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 11 LET US HAVE A “RELIGIOUS” CHURCH The title of this article sounds a little odd. “Are not all churches religious?”... someone may ask. Unfortunately, it is the constant temptation of all churches to become not religious, in the true sense of the word. WHICH IS A “RELIGIOUS” CHURCH? 1. A religious church is the one in which the members KNOW, BELIEVE and PRACTICE their Christian religion. If we don’t know the basic truths of our Christian religion, then we don’t know what we should believe and how to live as Christians. 2. In a true religious church the pastors, the church officers and elders must be examples for the members of the congregation. These sacred Godappointed offices can be filled only by those who really know, believe and practice the Christian religion. It would be abominable if the office of the pastor or that of the church officers and elders would be used for some kind of self-glory or (God forbid) for personal gain. 3-. In a true religious church the main and most important activities are the same as they were in the very FIRST CHURCH, organized by the apostles of Jesus Christ. Today or at any time only those churches can be called truly “religious” which faithfully follow the example of the FIRST CHURCH. What were the main and important activities in the First Church? They were as follows: (Read the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts) a. “The first Christians devoted themselves to the Apostles' teachings.” This means, of course, that they were eager to learn the great truths of the Christian religion from the preaching and teaching of the apostles. They were sincerely interested in their religion. b. “They devoted themselves to fellowship.” The first Christians truly understood this apostolic teaching: “One is your Master, the Christ and you all are brethren.” Therefore, for them it was a joy to be together in the congregation. They did not believe in being a private, isolated Christian. They loved and accepted each other with all their human weaknesses, mistakes and sins. Those who were weak in their faith and their faithfulness to Jesus, among them, were strengthened by the others. The so-called "holier than thou” attitude was unknown to them. c. “They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread.” This refers to the fact that the First Christians faithfully obeyed Jesus by partaking in the Lord’s Supper. But, also, they were glad to help the needy ones among them. d. “They devoted themselves to prayers.” The first Christians were praying people. They prayed together in the congregation and in their homes. Through praying they were in a constant spiritual communion with God. These were the main and most important activities of the church of the first Christians. • • • Today there are so many false ideas concerning the true purpose of the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. Some people would like to make the church a social club, a place of entertainment, or an institution which should solve all the political, economical and social problems of the world. THIS IS TOTALLY WRONG. The real purpose of the church is to remain a truly “religious” church, a fellowship of those people who knotv, believe and practice the Christian religion. And these people in their families, in their working places, in their different positions in the society, prove with their words, with their actions and with their whole life that they are really Christians. Only through the devoted Christian life of church members can become the church what Jesus wants it to be: “A light of the world”. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 4) The interesting truth is that today those churches are strong and attract new members which faithfully follow the example of the first Christians. Thanks to God, in our Hungarian Reformed Church, we realize all this and our most sincere intention is to make our church more and more a truly “religious” church. Rev. Stephen Kovács
