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What can we learn from the First Century Church? Part 12

July 1, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Unquenchable Optimism

In Ray Stedman’s classic book, “Authentic Christianity,” he describes the ministry of Paul the apostle as an example of genuine faith in Christ. He believed that Paul’s ministry bears five unmistakable qualities of Christianity that cannot be successfully counterfeited. They are 1: Unquenchable Optimism, 2: Unvarying Success, 3: Unforgettable Impact, 4: Unimpeachable Integrity, 5: Undeniable Reality.

Lately I have given a lot of thought about the First Century Church, and have been seeking God for understanding of how we in our time and in our Western culture have sometimes departed from the foundation that has been laid for us by Christ. Many others have thought and written along these lines of course, and this book by Stedman is one that I have found helpful in many ways. The qualities he has listed here are certainly qualities to be desired. The first on the list is especially one that I greatly desire for myself in a time when pessimism seems to reign in our world and often even in Christianity.

The book points out that this optimism can only come out from a genuine connection with the One True God. It cannot be faked. If my hope is grounded in favorable circumstances or the favorable opinions of others it can eventually be lost. If it is based upon One Who cannot fail, and I trust only in Him, it will be unquenchable. The opposite of this kind of optimism is a yielding to all circumstances and to fate. One becomes merely a passive spectator who has surrendered to the idea that nothing can or should be done to change the direction of events.

While Jesus did subject Himself to humiliation and death, it was for the joy that was yet to come! (Hebrews 12:1-2). His return from the grave in an amazing supernatural and yet physical body appeared in the real, tangible and physical world. The knowledge of that truth empowered the first believers to possess a forward looking and optimistic faith. In fact those who opposed them testified that they had indeed, “turned the world upside down!” (Acts 17:6)

Could this irrepressible joy have also come from the realization that they had been made new from the inside out? It seems to be a very pious and humble statement to confess that “I am just a sinner who has been saved by grace.” However, that was not the message that Paul taught. After naming a list of various kinds of sinners, he tells the Corinthians, “such WERE some of you! But you are washed, your are sanctified, you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God!” He also wrote these words: “Therefore if any one is in Christ, He is a new creation. Old things have disappeared, and—look—all things have become new!” (1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV, 2 Corinthians 5:17 ISV)

This is not a claim to have achieved sinlessness, but it is a bold declaration of what our joyful God has done in us! We who have received Jesus have obtained the power, the privilege of becoming the true children of God! (John 1:12) We have been born of the Holy Spirit, born again, born of God, by the incorruptible Seed, the Word of God, which lives and abides forever! (John 3:5, 1 Peter 1:23)

Because of who were are in Christ today, we can follow His example of service to others. We can let His mind, His perspective, His attitude be in us for we too do not have think of the divine nature as a thing to be forcibly grasped. Through the Gospel and trusting in Christ we are being restored to God’s original plan for humanity (Genesis 1:26). At the same, even in our immaturity we are free as His children to lay our lives down in service to others. Yes, that is our true freedom! That is the source of our joy as well! (Philippians 2:1-11, Galatians 5:13).

People who have an inferiority complex are afraid to lift up others. They are often driven to put others down in an effort to feel better about themselves. Jesus and his followers are not like that. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was from the Father and returning to Him; got down on His hands and knees to wash the feet of His disciples. He knew He could lose nothing by becoming a servant, even a slave. (John 13:3-5, 14-15).

If you belong to Jesus, you have access to His joy. You are a new creation in Him, called to a life of true adventure and service to the greatest purpose of all!

1 John 3:1-3
3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
NIV

What can We learn from the First Century Church? Part 11

May 15, 2025 / / 2 Comments

In Spirit And In Truth

In previous messages I have noted that the book known as the Acts of the Apostles is often neglected in our studies of the scriptures. There is another side, however of which many of you might be aware. It is also a fact that some churches and individuals might tend to over emphasize the importance of the book of Acts in general. I am talking of course of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. I can speak fairly confidently on these movements as my mother was part of a family whose parents and siblings were predominantly Pentecostal in their doctrine. While our family was among those who took all of the bible seriously, I know that many have properly earned their reputation of being fanatical and overly emotional.

To this day I continue to meet and have discussions with those who place their personal experiences over the written Word of God. In some cases their views have been harmless and in other cases they can cause great confusion in the church. It is the extreme cases that often cause extreme reactions from leaders and those who trust in them. It is often difficult to have a rational conversation on this topic because of the harm that has come from both sides of the controversy. At one point even I became so discouraged by some of the strange teachings and practices of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches that I distanced myself from them for over 10 years.

On the other hand, in the more conservative congregations I have seen an unhealthy reaction to these excesses. The spontaneity and enthusiasm found in the early church is often lost in the desire to maintain full control and “respectability” in our gatherings. The freedom to openly share our testimonies, experiences and to enjoy the supernatural gifts together is severely restricted. A bias against the supernatural aspects of life in Christ cannot help but cloud some minds from understanding the Scriptures in their proper context.

There is a solution to this dilemma. In Acts we see great emotion, enthusiasm, demonstrations of the power of the Holy Spirit, AND a tremendous interest and devotion to wholesome, profitable and instructional teaching from the Word of God.

In the first chapter of Acts Jesus spent a considerable amount of time continuing to teach His disciples about the Kingdom of God. As you might remember from the four gospels, Jesus laid heavy emphasis on heart issues: humility, love, faith and faithfulness, holiness, righteousness and the absolute sovereignty of God. These and other important principles were communicated in His parables of the Kingdom of God. Later, when the power of the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and into them, His followers were filled with Kingdom Life! The Word instructed them and the Spirit empowered them!

They never left the foundation that was laid for them by the inspired words of their scriptures which were clarified to them by Jesus Himself. When people were drawn to them by the supernatural signs and wonders, they always used the signs to point to the Scriptures. In these Scriptures they revealed that Jesus had come as the real purpose of all things. The Holy Spirit in fact led them back to the Scriptures every time!

The Scriptures themselves are of supernatural origin. It was the apostle Paul who wrote:

2 Timothy 3:16-17:
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
NASU

Peter also wrote these words:

2 Peter 1:20-2:1:
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
NIV

Many times Jesus Himself affirmed the divine origin of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. Prophecy after prophecy was fulfilled in Him, and He made this bold statement:

Matthew 5:18:
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
NIV

Christians from all ages have believed in the divine inspiration of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures. The Scriptures themselves testify of the strange and unsettling circumstances under which some of the writings came into being. And yet, many modern Christians want no part in anything that cannot be explained in terms of human logic. In fact, some of the groups most committed to the supernatural origin of the Scriptures are the most dogmatic in declaring that God no longer works in His people through signs, miracles and gifts of the Spirit today! I find that contradiction strangely unreasonable.

The believers in the First Century were not perfect, but they were not so foolish as to abandon the very power that they received from both believing the Good News of salvation and teachings about the Kingdom of God, and from receiving every supernatural gift that He had offered unto them!

What can We learn from the First Century Church? Part 10

April 29, 2025 / / 3 Comments

Victorious Faith

Just recently I have become aware of the burden I have for both the leaders and the members of many of churches in my country.

If there ever was a time when we needed the power of God in our lives, I strongly believe it is now. Certainly many communities of believers are thriving and growing in Christ around the world. For this we praise God! Yet here are great concerns as well. This past year a number of Christian leaders have been in the news concerning moral failures that bring shame to the name of Christ and discourage many believers. At the same time, far too many ordinary believers continue to be enslaved by the power of addictions and numerous temptations.

There is no doubt that there are number of direct or indirect causes for these failures. Having grown up in church and after being involved in leadership for 45 years, I have seen much and have made many mistakes myself. I have sat in numerous leadership meetings and observed how situations are addressed and how answers are sought after. It has often been difficult for me to offer suggestions for the very reason that I do not often understand the perspective from which other leaders today are coming. My main area of knowledge and experience for all these years has been from the study of the scriptures, rather than from modern day administrative techniques. One day a fantastic thought occurred to me! How could we apply biblical understanding to these issues? Could not the Holy Spirit lead us in the same way as He did back then?

Sometimes though, I wonder how people in the First Century church could even understand our 21st Century problems!

In these messages we have been considering what we in our time and culture might learn from the First Century Church. Of course there are the differences in cultural and historical situations that must be taken into account. At the same time there are principles that can still be applied for our benefit. However, some of these principles will not even work while we are building on a different foundation. When we build on a foundation of how modern business or political organizations are formed, our successes will only mirror the successes of business and political organizations. Is that what we want? Is that want God wants?

The church of Jesus Christ is built upon a supernatural foundation, on a totally different set of principles. Many today are returning to that foundation. Praise God! For some this can even mean starting over completely!

From the beginning of Luke’s account of the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that Jesus made a promise to His followers:

Acts 1:3-8
He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(NIV)

So the Early Church started out with total dependence on God and obedience to His command to wait in Jerusalem. Guess what! This principle, if you want to call it, worked! The church did receive the power to bear witness to the resurrection of Jesus and to live holy lives in His presence! There were obstacles, pressures, and persecutions, but there was also phenomenal growth. During this time there was an explosion of joy in them and in the communities they formed!

Many are concerned today that Christians are beginning to trust more in political and economical power to further the Good News of the Kingdom of God. This is the temptation of our time and in many countries of the world. Yet, the church has often shown the greatest power when it was devoid of these things. Consider the words of James, the Lord’s brother:

James 2:5-6:
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor.
(NIV)

Then we must consider the times in history when Christian institutions actually used their political power to persecute unbelievers and even fellow believers! Of course, wealth and political influence can be used for good, but how much better it is to see God’s supernatural work in the world in a situation where no one could deny His superiority in love, wisdom, grace and power.

The first thing some people think about concerning power is the power to heal the sick and to work miracles. This is true, many miracles were recorded in the early days of the church. However, there is more to it than miracles when it comes to bearing witness to the Lordship of Jesus the Messiah. Jesus spoke of the fact that the kingdom of God was a realm where people lived a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3). This new birth was foretold by God through the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Jeremiah 31:33-34:
33 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD.
(NIV)

Ezekiel 36:26-27:
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
(NIV)

By faith in Jesus, these promises have been extended to those of us who are not the natural children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And yet, many believers today are content to confess that they have no real victory over their own hearts and their sinful ways. Is this the result of misunderstanding or pure unbelief in the Words of our Lord? Could this unbelief explain our unrealistic and illogical dependence upon worldly wisdom?

Are you like me and many others who desire to see a victorious community of believers in Christ, continuing to bear witness of Him to the ends of the earth? Today we are not among those who personally saw Jesus after He returned from the tomb. And yet, Paul prayed for believers like us, who also missed that experience:

Ephesians 1:17-23:
… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
(NKJV)

This vision of Christ, and of Christ IN You is the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) He is building His powerful Church, one against which the gates of hell will not prevail! By faith in His sacrifice for us on the Cross, we receive salvation and the forgiveness of our sins. But the Gospel of the Kingdom does not stop there. By faith we are also overcomers!

1 John 5:3-5:
4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
(NIV)

Believe the Good News! God is working in you both the will and the ability to do His good pleasure! (Philippians 2:13) You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:37). That is if you have heard the Word, believed in Him, repented of your sins and are following Him. Today God is calling us to stop at nothing until we fully experience the very same power from heaven that filled those first disciples. Some have not even heard that it is still available to them today. We affirm that it is! Peter announced that this promise is given to many, many others.

Acts 2:38-39:
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
(NIV)

Today I would ask you all to read and re-read the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Catch a glimpse of the possibilities. Consider what could happen if we would only return to the simplicity of believing God’s Word and acting on His promises by His grace today!

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