The religion of Christianity is no different. Christ is different. Instead of simply letting the Spirit transform us into the Church that we are supposed to be, we attempt to live according to a whole host of manmade rules and regulations that divide us and weaken us. Differences in manmade doctrines give birth to increasing numbers of denominations and sects. The Spirit unites.
Manmade rules divide.
The early Church was truly tranformed by the Spirit. We are not persecuted as the early Church was because we are a part of the very religious establishment that in fact does persecute true messengers of God. The Jews, in Jesus' day, persecuted those Jews who chose to follow Christ. Those who profess to be God's people always seem to be the ones to persecute those who truly belong to God. Those who truly belong to Him will not be persecuted until we stand against the corrupt religion of Christianity that has been created by man and has lost all contact with the Spirit.