Monday, May 16, 2005
The Early Church
In our small group, we've been trying to explore what happened when the early Church gathered. It turns out that you can read vast swathes of Scripture without seeing any good answers here, but eventually we came up witha fair few things that seemed to have happened. Here are my thoughts....
Although the early Church was imperfect, what they did when they gathered together can provide a good example for us. Although they lived in a particular historical and cultural situation, their positive habits then can hopefully be used today in a culturally relevant way. In imitating them, we hope to share their passion, commitment, high regard in the community and influence on the world.
The early Church gathered together frequently (Heb 10:25, Acts 2:46, 5:12)
They prayed regularly, passionately and with amazing results (Acts 1:14, 2:42, 4:22-25)
They ate together and celebrated communion with one another Acts 2:42, 46)
They shared their possessions with each other (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35)
They were committed to teaching, with an emphasis on each person teaching everyone else, through the spoken word and singing (Col, 3:16, 1 Cor 14:26, Eph 5:19, 1 Tim 4:13, Acts 2:42)
They were committed to lovingly admonishing and correcting each other where needed (Col 3:16 cf 1 Cor 5, Matt 18:15-20, Gal 6:1, 2 Thes 3:14-15, Titus 3:10-11)
They were surrounded by miraculous signs performed by the apostles (Acts 2:43, 5:12-16)
They encouraged each other, and saw this as a key reason to gather (Heb 3:13, 10:25)
They worshipped God reverently and with awe. (Heb 12:28-29, Acts 2:43)
They read the Scriptures publicly (1 Tim 4:13)
They were open to God speaking to them (1 Cor 14, esp v 26)
If we are to follow the early Church’s example, we will aim to gather frequently to encourage, pray, eat, teach and lovingly correct one another. We will share our possessions, read Holy Scripture and be open to God’s voice and miracles. We will worship God reverentially and with awe.
In our small group, we've been trying to explore what happened when the early Church gathered. It turns out that you can read vast swathes of Scripture without seeing any good answers here, but eventually we came up witha fair few things that seemed to have happened. Here are my thoughts....
Although the early Church was imperfect, what they did when they gathered together can provide a good example for us. Although they lived in a particular historical and cultural situation, their positive habits then can hopefully be used today in a culturally relevant way. In imitating them, we hope to share their passion, commitment, high regard in the community and influence on the world.
The early Church gathered together frequently (Heb 10:25, Acts 2:46, 5:12)
They prayed regularly, passionately and with amazing results (Acts 1:14, 2:42, 4:22-25)
They ate together and celebrated communion with one another Acts 2:42, 46)
They shared their possessions with each other (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35)
They were committed to teaching, with an emphasis on each person teaching everyone else, through the spoken word and singing (Col, 3:16, 1 Cor 14:26, Eph 5:19, 1 Tim 4:13, Acts 2:42)
They were committed to lovingly admonishing and correcting each other where needed (Col 3:16 cf 1 Cor 5, Matt 18:15-20, Gal 6:1, 2 Thes 3:14-15, Titus 3:10-11)
They were surrounded by miraculous signs performed by the apostles (Acts 2:43, 5:12-16)
They encouraged each other, and saw this as a key reason to gather (Heb 3:13, 10:25)
They worshipped God reverently and with awe. (Heb 12:28-29, Acts 2:43)
They read the Scriptures publicly (1 Tim 4:13)
They were open to God speaking to them (1 Cor 14, esp v 26)
If we are to follow the early Church’s example, we will aim to gather frequently to encourage, pray, eat, teach and lovingly correct one another. We will share our possessions, read Holy Scripture and be open to God’s voice and miracles. We will worship God reverentially and with awe.
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