Ancient Paths

When talking to a parent early on in the pandemic about what did they think God was saying to the church, he quoted Jeremiah 6:16 where the Lord says “Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is. Walk in it and find rest for yourselves”. The following three articles attempt to consider aspects of what that ancient path might look like. The first article, written in 2019, refers to the concept of New Testament Christianity in the 21st Century. The other two longer articles on church music and head coverings were produced in the mid 1990’s but are still applicable to our current situation.

New Testament Christianity

Starting from the base that all scripture is inspired - was the aim of the church to model ‘New Testament Christianity’ in the 21st century?

If so, what would this look like?

1. Teaching that encourages the believer to aim for personal holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit - whilst acknowledging the real conflicts and difficulties this may involve.
2. Church government, based around corporate eldership, which aims to equip the ‘saints’ for the work of the ministry.
3. Open worship with opportunities for the gifts of the spirit to be used.
4. Minimal use of rituals and ornaments, yet a high regard for the well attested sacraments of the New Covenant e.g. Baptism, Lord’s Supper and a respect for those who believe that head coverings is still a valid teaching.
5. Humble willingness to retain the best of past church music whilst embracing modern songs - in accordance with the New Testament recommendation that in times of deception we should pay particular regard to the godly traditions of those who have gone before. (see 2 Thess 2 v 15)
6. In these contentious times have particular regard to upholding biblical positions on creation, sexual ethics and gender issues.