THE CHURCH AND LIFE
It was twenty centuries ago that Christ and His apostles began a system of spiritual power that en-
compassed the earth and blessed the world. Daniel 2:44 affirms the perpetual status of the kingdom and
Jesus promised its glorious establishment (Matt. 16:18). In spite of persecution by Rome--in spite of the
jealousy of the Jews--in spite of economic poverty and a startling message, the gospel of Jesus Christ
swept the ancient world by storm.
The ardent zeal of those devoted servants of the Lord emblazoned a noble page in the volume of an-
cient history. The spiritual army of the Lord made many valiant conquests for the Captain of our salva-
tion (Heb. 2:10). Shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Phil. 2:15), early
Christians took seriously the task of living “soberly, righteously and godly” (Titus 2:12). The simple
organization of the Lord’s church made clear its autonomous (self-ruling) government. Adhering strictly
to the divine principles of self-governing procedures as set forth in Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-6; Acts 20:
28, 32 and 1 Peter 5:1-4, there was no need for earthly headquarters, bureaucracy or hierarchy.
In Philippians 1:1 we read simply of elders, deacons and all of the saints. Worship in the first cen-
tury church of our Lord was conducted “in spirit and in truth” as John 4:24 clearly stated. In a reverent
manner, as the Scriptures directed, the body of Christ “continued stedfastly” in the doctrine the apostles
taught (Acts 2:42). The first day of the week was especially set aside for the Lord’s Supper and the con-
tribution (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Twenty centuries ago, the church Christ established by His shed
blood was strong in its exposure of error (2 Tim. 4:2-4), as well as its proclamation of truth (1 Tim. 3:
15) and especially in ardent evangelism.
Acts 5:42 and Acts 8:4 tell us of the daily teaching that caused the “Word of God to grow and multi-
ply” (Acts 12:24). Christians of that day prayed fervently and boldly (Heb. 4:16; Jas. 5:16) even as they
joyously sang praises to God (Acts 16:25; Col. 3:15-17). Christianity was not a “church house” religion
to them. It was not a “way of life,” it was life! Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21). What
say you, reader, what say you?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: One thing you can still get for a quarter is five nickels.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
compassed the earth and blessed the world. Daniel 2:44 affirms the perpetual status of the kingdom and
Jesus promised its glorious establishment (Matt. 16:18). In spite of persecution by Rome--in spite of the
jealousy of the Jews--in spite of economic poverty and a startling message, the gospel of Jesus Christ
swept the ancient world by storm.
The ardent zeal of those devoted servants of the Lord emblazoned a noble page in the volume of an-
cient history. The spiritual army of the Lord made many valiant conquests for the Captain of our salva-
tion (Heb. 2:10). Shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (Phil. 2:15), early
Christians took seriously the task of living “soberly, righteously and godly” (Titus 2:12). The simple
organization of the Lord’s church made clear its autonomous (self-ruling) government. Adhering strictly
to the divine principles of self-governing procedures as set forth in Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5-6; Acts 20:
28, 32 and 1 Peter 5:1-4, there was no need for earthly headquarters, bureaucracy or hierarchy.
In Philippians 1:1 we read simply of elders, deacons and all of the saints. Worship in the first cen-
tury church of our Lord was conducted “in spirit and in truth” as John 4:24 clearly stated. In a reverent
manner, as the Scriptures directed, the body of Christ “continued stedfastly” in the doctrine the apostles
taught (Acts 2:42). The first day of the week was especially set aside for the Lord’s Supper and the con-
tribution (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Twenty centuries ago, the church Christ established by His shed
blood was strong in its exposure of error (2 Tim. 4:2-4), as well as its proclamation of truth (1 Tim. 3:
15) and especially in ardent evangelism.
Acts 5:42 and Acts 8:4 tell us of the daily teaching that caused the “Word of God to grow and multi-
ply” (Acts 12:24). Christians of that day prayed fervently and boldly (Heb. 4:16; Jas. 5:16) even as they
joyously sang praises to God (Acts 16:25; Col. 3:15-17). Christianity was not a “church house” religion
to them. It was not a “way of life,” it was life! Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21). What
say you, reader, what say you?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: One thing you can still get for a quarter is five nickels.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
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