Hi Katzpur :
I think that there is a distinction (at least in my mind) to be made between the Christian church εκκλεσια as a fully functioning “organization” having all elements of authority and ordinances and a full complement of apostles, prophets, teachers, elders, etc, etc. that are a single and fully functioning organization versus the idea of Christians trying to follow the best set of models as to what constitutes Christianity. I think other distinctions could be made, but I simply want to point out that the word “church” or εκκλεσια can be considered under its separate definitions and this may affect the answers.
For example, If one is asking if the original Christian organization, (having a full complement of teachings and ordinances and officers and authority, and ongoing revelation through apostles and prophet, etc.) was contaminated and apostatized once the prophets and apostles died off, then the answer is, clearly, yes. If the Jewish records tell us anything, it is that mankind tends to apostatize and schism despite best efforts.
However, If one is asking concerning those who are of the εκκλεσια, meaning the individuals who are invited (or called) out of the world (which is the meaning of the compound words εκ+καλεσια) and are part of the gathering of “firstfruits” among christiant, then I think there have always been wonderful and extraordinary individual Christians who have tried to live the very best lives and do what they thought was expected of their religion.
I also think that most (not all) of the various early doctrines have existed in the form of “doctrinal debris” in some form or another and in some source or another but have been undiscovered and unknown to the larger Christian consciousness. In this way I would categorize them as “forgotten doctrines” or “lost doctrines” or “abandoned doctrines” that one can still find scattered throughout the early Judeo-Christian texts that describe what early Christian doctrines looked like and what their religions interpretations were.
Thus, I think the original, fully functional church, having a full complement of authorized officers including the early ordinances and all of the original doctrines and functions and worldviews, apostatized after the death of prophets and apostles. But, I think doctrinal and moral "debris" from this early christian movement has, more or less, existed. The fact that a "godly remnant" of individuals existed, who were trying to do their best, doesn't constitute the original organization as the original, historical εκκλεσια.
This is my current model pending better data. I hope it makes sense.
Clear
εισιφιω
