So, just what is “Normal Christianity” anyhow?


From my experiences, observations, as well as what I've read of history, and, of course, my study of the Scriptures, the belief that what is recorded in the Book of Acts represents normal Christianity for today rates right up there in the Top-10 of the most intellectually dishonest and hypocritical positions a Christian can hold to.


Why?” You ask?


Where have you seen events similar to those recorded in Acts occurring today? Be honest now.


Nowhere, that's where.


Oh now, we've all heard of them happening out there, “somewhere”. We've been told by friends who have a friend, one who works in the mission field somewhere in the Far East; Someone who would have no reason to lie, they tell us; Someone who has heard of healings and resurrections happening on almost a daily basis. The only problem with these reports is they always happen in places where they cannot be tested and verified. No follow-up can be performed. The reports are hearsay and completely unverifiable. Yet, this is supposed to be seen as “normal Christianity”, and to question these reports is to incur the wrath of the Believers.


Miraculous manifestations of Christ and teleportations of faithful witnesses from one place to another. Words of knowledge and prophecy. Again, hearsay and unverifiable.


People getting saved, cloven tongues of fire appearing upon their heads, and speaking in tongues. People do get saved, daily, hourly, and by the minute, but “cloven tongues of fire on their heads” and “speaking in tongues”? If that is the phenomenon to which we all must manifest, if we are to claim salvation, then I think we're all in a lot of trouble. I know that the only “tongues” I've ever spoke came as the result of a lot of hard work, and I've never had tongues of fire appear on my head.


Christians living in commune-like communities, where everyone shares all their stuff? Please. Try it out sometime. Ask one of your church leaders if you can take his car to the store to do some grocery shopping, or heaven forbid, to take your family on vacation. See if you can spend a few days in his home, because, since you lost your job to competition from China, India, or Mexico, you've no place to live. No luck? Maybe they will arrange to set-up some bunks at the church? We all know of people with less than we have. We hear the leadership encourage us to be “Book of Acts Christians”, but where is the example? They have to show us; Since they've forced us to unscrew the top of our heads and removed our brains (a prerequisite to believing that Acts is “Normal”); Now, we've no idea now how to do this.


I've heard it said, by the same person and, in almost the same breath that “Acts is a book of transitions” and then “I believe that Acts represents normal Christianity”. So, I guess, by this thinking, that we've been transitioning for the past 2000-years?


Where in Acts are the baptismal classes? It seems to me that, in Acts at least, once a person was converted, they were baptized as soon as possible, and any other believer could perform it.


I could go on with lots of examples, but just think about it for a minute. If Acts is “Normal”, then why do we have to dance around so much of it? Why do we not see it? All of it?


There is one thing recorded in Acts 5: 1-4 that seems quite normal for today, even for Christians, however.


1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.


This sort of behavior is rationalized in many minds. What isn't normal however, is God killing them on the spot, as happened to Ananias and Sapphira. Do you suppose that here is an indication from God that things have changed? Is God dealing with the Body differently now? Were we all to accept that the Word of Truth must be "rightly divided", not only as to it's dispensations, but also to the "times and seasons", maybe these problems would disappear from association with our faith.


Normal Christianity should consist of glorifying God through maintaining a personal relationship with Him through the completed work of Jesus Christ. It should involve, among other things, the study of the Word of Truth, conforming one's life to what was learned from the Word, prayer and thanksgiving, and fellowship with like-minded Believers in small groups. It should manifest true spiritual power, enabling Christians to resist and overcome the things of the world, the flesh, and the devil. It should not look, talk and act like the world.


Well, that's just my opinion anyhow.