- Ekklesia
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The early church went against the religious norms of their day. When the culture around them was filled with the worship of many gods, the Christians claimed to follow one. When the various temples around them had numerous priests and teachers, the first-century church would gather in the homes of Christians such as Phoebe, Priscilla, and Aquilla. When the religiosity around them was centered upon the appeasement of the gods and the sacrificial religion of “smoke and blood” (Gupta, Strange Religion), the first-century followers of Jesus offered themselves as living sacrifices.
What is fascinating in researching early church history is how the way of life turned the world upside down. It was the idea that every member of the Church was a priest, a vessel, a ministry of the gospel, or a slave to Christ. They called him Lord, and they took his message of the kingdom of God seriously. They saw the example of love that was poured out for them on the cross and sought to pour that same love to all people around them. They cared for those in the margins of society, the lepers, the prostitutes, the orphans, the widows, and the various outcasts. The church really exploded from the margins as people who were given no value in society, now had value, dignity, and honor as they were being told they were loved by their Creator and those who practiced the way of Jesus.
When we think about the words, works, and teachings that Jesus shared in his life, we can see the first century church trying to model themselves after his ministry. They remembered the words “Love one another as I have loved you,” and they sought to make that their anthem. They were willing to follow the teachings of Jesus and apply this radical command in all that they did. They loved and served those who opposed them. They loved and served those who mocked them. They loved and served those who disagreed with them. They loved and served as neighbors.
It takes us back to the radical story that Jesus once shared in the presence of his followers and the religious leaders of the day. It is a story you are familiar with. The story is the Good Samaritan. For reference, there is a gentleman who is beaten and left for dead. The first two people who pass by are on their way down the hill from the temple (they had just left worship) and see the man, and instead of engaging him, they pass by on the other side of the road. They didn’t want to become unclean! They didn’t want to have compassion. Then the radical shift in the story comes. A Samaritan, yes the people group the Jews considered “half breeds” and impure, passes by. It was this man who had compassion and sought to help this man and care for him. The best part of the story is when Jesus turns to the crowd, who is probably offended at this point, and asked “Who was the neighbor?” They respond “the one who had mercy”. They got it! Great job guys! And then Jesus says, “Go and do likewise!” As if to say, go and do likewise to the people you have ignored or refused to serve on your way here, or around the temple!
This message of being a good neighbor is what defined the early church. It was radical and world-changing. It required that every follower of Jesus saw themselves as a good neighbor and a minister of the Gospel, not just the apostles or the teachers of the law, but everyone. Everyone had a part to play.
Today, you are a minister! As a part of the family of God, you have a role to play in the growing kingdom of God as we seek to transform the world around us through the radical message and nature of the Gospel of Jesus. As ministers then, we ought to be loving and serving our neighbors in a radical way. Not passing by on the other side of the street to avoid the problem, but intentionally engaging people to see how we can bring them to Jesus. May it be said of all of us as believers, that we are good neighbors because we sincerely and genuinely follow Jesus and his example. May we all be willing to follow his example of love and service and be ready to wash the feet of those around us.