WELCOME TO THE FIRST CENTURY

 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:42 (NIV)

                From time to time throughout my ministry, I have heard people expound on the idea of being the first century church all over again. I understand what they mean, but I wonder if they have really thought through the implications of that wish.

                Acts 2 gives us a snapshot of the first church. In many ways, it seemed idyllic. But upon closer examination we see that everything was not a bed of roses. In fact, the early church faced many of the same internal struggles that we face today. Ananias and Sapphira vied for prestige without sacrifice. There was division between the Grecian Jews and the Hebraic Jews over who was being taken care of. Later in Paul’s letters we see infighting, arrogance, self-righteousness, and unforgiveness in the church.

                If we step back a little farther, we can see the landscape in which the early church lived. They lived in a world that was decadent. The elite minority ruled, while the majority lived subsistence lives. There was a small middle class and a large number of slaves and servants. The church was a religious minority, persecuted by both the Jews and the Romans. They often became social outcasts. They had no political, social, or economic power. Many in the early church were martyred for their faith.

                In many ways, we have returned to the first century. The world in which we live has become increasingly decadent. More and more the elite minority makes the rules and everyone else is expected to fall in line. The church is increasingly marginalized and often vilified. Within the church, we see disunity, strife, and arguing. In some cases, we have become arrogant and self-righteous, reflecting more the persona of the Pharisees than followers of Jesus.

                What made the flawed first century church stand out from the crowd and eventually flourish? I think there were four basic things that propelled the church forward.

                First, they staked their lives on the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The early believers embraced the foundational truth of the Gospel; that Jesus was the Son of God. They placed their hope in the reality of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

                Second, they were totally dependent on the power of God. Worship was at the heart of their life. Acts 2 tells us that they met daily in the Temple courts praising God. They were devoted to prayer and to the teaching of the Apostles. Their worship shaped the rest of their lives. They knew that they were powerless without the power of the Holy Spirit within them.

                Third, they were dependent on one another.  Acts tells us that they were devoted to the fellowship. They shared meals together. They met in their homes to encourage and support one another. As the church expanded, hospitality became an essential aspect of the life of the church. The only people they could count on were other believers. They were willing to sacrifice for one another.

                Fourth, they led by example. The early church had no political power. They were viewed as a fringe group at best. Yet, they changed the world by the way that they lived out their faith. In a world that abandoned unwanted children, the church rescued them and raised them as their own. In a world that devalued women, the church gave women a place to grow and thrive. In a world that saw slaves as expendable, the church gave value to every person. In a world of elitist classism, the church broke down the barriers of class, race, and social standing. They did their best to love each other with the love of Christ, and people outside of the church took notice.

                In the environment in which we live today, we the church need to get back to being the church. First, we need to repent of our arrogance and self-righteousness. We need to repent of our love affair with political and economic power. We need to repent of our internal bickering and back-biting. It is time to humble ourselves before God and ask for His forgiveness and mercy.

                Second, we need to get our focus back on Jesus. For too long we have given lip service to Jesus, while depending on our own strength and ingenuity. As it says in Hebrews 12:1-3, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

                Third, we need to recommit to being the body of Christ in our world. Jesus said, by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. That is the place to start. Instead of trying to change the secular world around us, we need to change the church. We need to get back to being devoted to one another, to sharing with one another, to supporting one another. If we really want to change our world, we need to start to live out our faith in tangible ways. We need to build a community that attracts sinners by demonstrating a better way to live.

                In some ways, I think God has answered the prayers of those who have wanted to go back to the first century church. Unfortunately, it isn’t the ideal place that they thought it would be. Just like the first church, we are flawed. We are jars of clay that God wants to use to display His glory. It is time for us to actively be the salt and light that Jesus commanded us to be.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)