The Rise and Fall of the Early Church
All who believed were together and had all things in common... And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. (Acts 2:44; 4:32-35)>
What was the church like when it began in the first century? What image do you picture in your mind? Probably a very common one that you’ve seen drawn many times by artists, maybe even in a movie. Jesus is walking on the shore of the Sea of Galilee with His twelve apostles, teaching these rough-looking fishermen to become “fishers of men.” But then flash ahead to today. Why is the image so different, so less radical today than it was then? It’s an image of comfort now, with rows of nicely-dressed people bowing their heads as the priest or the preacher leads them through the liturgy.
The Early Church was a Community
You may be surprised to find out that the early church was not a weekly gathering in a church building, looking at the backs of the heads of people you rarely see during the week. In fact, there is no record of a church building for the first two hundred years.1 No, the early church was a community of people, a group of disciples sharing a common life together, who gathered every morning and evening in a circle, as in Mark 3:34. In fact, they were together every day, working together, and sharing their new life with others.2 These communities were organized into twelve tribes in their different geographical locations, which formed a new spiritual nation called Israel.3
Although they lived in normal towns and were not isolated from society, they were insulated from the fallen culture of the society around them.4 They were set apart, having a different culture altogether.5 Where the Romans were devoted to entertainment and pleasure, the disciples were devoted to loving one another, especially caring for widows and orphans.6 There were no poor among them,7 because those who had means gladly shared all they had.
Love was the primary message of the early church. But their message was not a mere sermon from a pulpit. (They didn’t even have a pulpit or a single person doing all the talking — all came prepared to share thanksgiving, a song, a teaching, even a prophecy.8) No, the message was lived out by all. Every day was spent caring for each other in practical ways, and laying down their lives for each other. This was the substance, the visible reality of the new commandment of their Lord: “Love one another as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are My disciples.”9
This love created a new social order called community. Those disciples with wealth sold their assets and laid the entire sum at the feet of the apostles.10 This simple act revealed their belief as nothing else could. Because of the love of God that had been poured into their hearts,11 they gave all they had — all they’d gained in life, all that supported them. The generosity they had for their poorer brothers, their radical forsaking of material wealth, and their affectionate trust for their shepherds were part and parcel of their faith. Such acts were not just the noble zeal of a few impulsive zealots, but a way of life practiced by all.12 Community was the result of love in action. Who were and weren’t believers then was very clear.13
As they obeyed the new commandment to love one another as their Master had loved them, each disciple was assured in his own heart that he had truly passed out of death and into life.14 They knew our Master was pleased with them, for He had prayed for His disciples to be one, just as the Father and the Son are one.15 This confidence grew as the watching world observed the visible demonstration of their love for one another.16 But more than that, the Holy Spirit communicated to their hearts an assurance that they had eternal life17 because they were loving their brothers and living together in unity — the very place where God commands the blessing of eternal life.18 If they ever lost their love and drifted apart, they would lose this confidence as well. That could only come from another spirit19 — not the Holy Spirit.
