The Bible conveys a clear message: Christians are called to have compassion for one another. It seems straightforward, doesn’t it? Essentially, it translates to “Love one another.”
However, I wonder if it’s really as simple as it sounds. Practical guidance on how to live this out can seem elusive.
Maybe a logical starting point is to reflect on our first church experience.
It feels a bit presumptuous to assert we are in the “late” church age. This term typically refers to the time between Christ’s Ascension and His Second Coming. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the signs that hint we may indeed be nearing that moment.
For our discussion, let’s consider present-day Christians as the “late church,” contrasting us with the early believers chronicled in the book of Acts.
How do we measure up against those early followers? Their experiences offer valuable lessons worth exploring.
They inhabited a world steeped in sin, idolatry, and despair, where societal norms often clashed with Jesus’ teachings. Does that situation resonate with anything we see today?
Interestingly, their struggles were graver than what many in today’s Western culture face. Thankfully, we’ve yet to reach a point where harming others for entertainment is the norm.
Connecting with Our Predecessors
The first major account comes from Pentecost when 3,000 souls were welcomed into God’s family in Jerusalem.
“And they were constantly devoted to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” — Acts 2:42
The phrase “They were persistent” suggests a commitment worth examining.
1. They Valued Teaching.
At that time, the New Testament hadn’t been compiled, so the apostles shared Christ’s teachings from personal encounters with Him.
They explained how Christ had fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures and guided new believers in understanding how to embody His teachings. These early followers were the first audiences for what we now call the New Testament, delivered through letters to various communities.
While there are no apostles today, we have the scripture inspired by them, forming the foundation of the New Testament. It’s essential that God’s word remains central to any church, just as it was then.
2. They Gathered Physically.
In today’s world, it’s easy to consume teachings from home, but these communities met face-to-face. Numerous scriptures emphasize the importance of gathered fellowship.
What’s our stance, late church? Are we still content to sit at home, even years after the pandemic?
It’s clear that social interactions should occur in person.
This raises an interesting point: should churches reconsider the necessity of online services? What are the trade-offs between convenience and community engagement? I’m not sure, but it certainly deserves deliberation.
3. They Shared Meals.
The book of Acts elaborates on the day-to-day lives of these new believers shortly after Pentecost.
“Every day, they dedicated themselves in the temple with one heart, broke bread from house to house, and shared their meals with joy and sincerity.” — Acts 2:46
This indicates they engaged in more than just Holy Communion; they gathered in smaller groups, enjoying meals together afterward.
4. They Prayed Together.
The final point highlights prayer, which likely included both large gatherings and smaller groups. For thousands to pray meaningfully, smaller group sessions would be necessary.
What about today’s smaller worship groups?
Unless your congregation is quite small, engaging in meaningful interactions often requires breaking off into smaller groups—sharing meals, diving deep into scripture, and fostering accountability.
Yet, not every gathering labeled as a small group truly functions that way. Some congregations lump many into a few large classes, while others offer groups too expansive to cultivate close relationships.
Small Groups Can Achieve More
Jesus seemed to show that effective small groups could consist of about a dozen people. This size allows for deeper trust, enabling members to truly support one another and share life together.
A pastor friend of mine notes that smaller groups often encourage greater growth. Some churches have caught on, promoting intimate discipleship groups, usually consisting of two or three individuals of the same gender—reflecting how Jesus interacted closely with Peter, James, and John.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Early Christians
Christy McClelland points out that early Christians were easily recognized for their distinct choices. They refused to worship the emperor or other deities, becoming branded as heretics while standing firmly as followers of Jesus.
Where do we stand in our worship of modern “gods”? Are sports, politics, or celebrities holding too much sway in our lives?
They also respected life in a culture that often disregarded newborns, especially girls. Early Christians went against the grain—rescuing and raising those children instead.
- How does our late church engage with life-related concerns?
- Do we grasp the reasons behind the sanctity of life, or do societal norms cause confusion?
- Are we contributing to pro-life efforts and supporting at-risk families?
- Are we making room in our communities for those in need?
- Are we willing to speak against cultural shifts that prioritize adult desires over children’s needs?
- Are we willing to put ourselves at risk, as some pro-life advocates have?
Furthermore, they disregarded the rigid social hierarchies of their time, choosing to share meals with members from all walks of life.
- Are we genuinely inclusive in our church environments?
- Do we break down barriers to help those truly in need?
Notably, many early Christians suffered financially and personally for their faith, often sharing what little they had to ensure no one was in need.
- How generous are we as a community?
- Do we chase material desires, or do we strive to uplift those in our church and beyond?
Ultimately, many endured loss—of wealth, freedom, and even life—while remaining steadfast in their beliefs.
- Are we prepared to make similar sacrifices for the sake of our faith?
They weren’t perfect, nor are we. But as we still have the opportunity, shouldn’t we strive to engage more deeply with our world today, just as those early believers did?
Additional Resources
If this reflection on the early church resonates with you, consider exploring new initiatives that seek to emulate those foundational practices in today’s context.
