The Church

Take a look at Acts. You don't need to read the whole thing, just glance through and see if you notice a trend. It occurred to me, thanks in part to the section headings, that Acts is as much a story about the church as it is about Paul, Peter, Barnabas or John. When I read Acts I am struck by the incredible number of locations that it covers, and in each one we find a group of brothers greeting the apostles! The story of Acts highlights the house churches of the early Christian church. Just look at the headings. In Thessolonica, In Berea, In Athens, In Iconium, In Corinth, etc. It seems that everywhere these men went, there was a group of Christians there.

So then I started thinking; how did they get there? Well in the early christian times the only way for a new group of believers to appear was for someone to go and spread the good news of Christ. I picture in my head the Mediterranean region with one large firework going off right over Jerusalem. Every spark of that explosion representing a disciple heading out to share the story of Christ and His resurrection. The news spreading like wildfire.

Yesterday we met with some friends of ours and we talked about Haiti. One of the organizations in Haiti is all about starting house churches, spreading the good news in places of darkness. We talked about how this mentality echoes the methods of those in Acts. These men are willing to head out and risk everything to share the message of our Savior. How cool is that? In the shadow of voodoo and superstition and violence and slave trades these men step forth with a boldness that seems common only in 'poor countries'.

But then again, maybe it has less to do with the country and more to do with the man. You see when you have the mentality that Paul and Peter had you become willing to risk everything for the sake of Him who gave up everything for you. When your priorities are set by God rather than by your culture, or your job, or your money, or your sin you are suddenly opened up to do amazing things. To say things that no one else is willing to say. To be used by God.

That is pretty incredible.

Ephesians 6:19 - Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel