Ye that miracles one I discovered a few years ago, makes you thunk.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH?
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OPPOSITION
Opposition seems to be the theme of the history of the NTC. Not only from the Romans but from the religious Jews themselves. If your faith was in keeping the law in every little detail which you had to if you wanted to get anywhere in religious Judaism, you had to be exemplar in keeping the law in every little detail. There are some denominations and movements today that have the same mindset. I attend a men's church every Friday and a brother was asked to tell us about his former life and he said he was brought up in a denomination that was built on what you could not do rather than what you could do. In other words, there was no joy at all in their Christianity if it was Christianity as everything they did had to pass through the NO meter.
In my studies, I have found out that the High priest generally was a nasty character and would not broach any challenge to his understanding of the law. He could have you punished under Jewish law if he so desired if he could not overcome you with the truth or rational argument. And of course he was a perfect example of a slavish follower of the law.
So when Jesus came along and said you were governed by the law of grace, that was a red rag to a bull. And when the followers of The Way were as devoted as Jesus to his message, the High Priest was outraged because he thought that he had solved the problem when he had Jesus crucified. It was bad enough having to deal with one person who challenged his thinking but to have thousands, well that was a road too far.
The Romans were afraid of the followers of The Way because they thought they were intending to overthrow Rome's rule of Palestine. This was fuelled by the Zealots who were active at that time and had said they intended to overthrow Rome and give power back to the people of Palestine. Rome had not worked out that they were two different people so Zealots and members of The Way were the one and the same to them.
From the Jewish perspective, Saul/Paul was the biggest fly in the ointment as he was full of anger and was determined to put a stop to The Way and as it says in Chapter nine of Acts he was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. Note it does not say Christians because that word had not been invented yet.
A literal rendering of this verse is that he was bent upon menacing and murdering the believers. Of course, the High Priest was happy to help him in any way he could to achieve this aim so he gave him letters of authority which would allow him to go to Damascus and bring back any members of The Way for slaughter. If they would not shut up then he would shut them up. (It is amazing what you can and are prepared to do when you are filled with the Holy Spirit. There is no doubt that the followers of The Way were not timid little mouse).
So, let's ask ourselves the question "Are we like the members of the Way, full of the Holy Spirit and boldness, or are we like so many modern-day Christians, timid little mouse more worried about our reputation and not rocking the boat and if you are a leader, are you equipping your congregation to be warriors for the kingdom or are you satisfied in them being pew warmers?"
Opposition seems to be the theme of the history of the NTC. Not only from the Romans but from the religious Jews themselves. If your faith was in keeping the law in every little detail which you had to if you wanted to get anywhere in religious Judaism, you had to be exemplar in keeping the law in every little detail. There are some denominations and movements today that have the same mindset. I attend a men's church every Friday and a brother was asked to tell us about his former life and he said he was brought up in a denomination that was built on what you could not do rather than what you could do. In other words, there was no joy at all in their Christianity if it was Christianity as everything they did had to pass through the NO meter.
In my studies, I have found out that the High priest generally was a nasty character and would not broach any challenge to his understanding of the law. He could have you punished under Jewish law if he so desired if he could not overcome you with the truth or rational argument. And of course he was a perfect example of a slavish follower of the law.
So when Jesus came along and said you were governed by the law of grace, that was a red rag to a bull. And when the followers of The Way were as devoted as Jesus to his message, the High Priest was outraged because he thought that he had solved the problem when he had Jesus crucified. It was bad enough having to deal with one person who challenged his thinking but to have thousands, well that was a road too far.
The Romans were afraid of the followers of The Way because they thought they were intending to overthrow Rome's rule of Palestine. This was fuelled by the Zealots who were active at that time and had said they intended to overthrow Rome and give power back to the people of Palestine. Rome had not worked out that they were two different people so Zealots and members of The Way were the one and the same to them.
From the Jewish perspective, Saul/Paul was the biggest fly in the ointment as he was full of anger and was determined to put a stop to The Way and as it says in Chapter nine of Acts he was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. Note it does not say Christians because that word had not been invented yet.
A literal rendering of this verse is that he was bent upon menacing and murdering the believers. Of course, the High Priest was happy to help him in any way he could to achieve this aim so he gave him letters of authority which would allow him to go to Damascus and bring back any members of The Way for slaughter. If they would not shut up then he would shut them up. (It is amazing what you can and are prepared to do when you are filled with the Holy Spirit. There is no doubt that the followers of The Way were not timid little mouse).
So, let's ask ourselves the question "Are we like the members of the Way, full of the Holy Spirit and boldness, or are we like so many modern-day Christians, timid little mouse more worried about our reputation and not rocking the boat and if you are a leader, are you equipping your congregation to be warriors for the kingdom or are you satisfied in them being pew warmers?"
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How is it an insult... God gave us Jesus, Jesus went back to God so we could have His Spirit, is it not more insulting to God that men refuse them all..
GOD STEPS IN
Saul sets off to Damascus, bent on causing as much havoc he can to members of The Way. But...as I am typing this the words "Our God Reigns" come to mind. He had Saul's itinerary all worked out, and before he knew it Saul's world came crashing down. On the way to Damascus, Kaboom out of nowhere, the power of God struck him down. No warning. No "Saul, can I have a chat with you." Just kaboom and a shining light surround him. And when we say shining, we mean shining because it made him blind.
Then Jesus speaks to him and asks him a question. "Why are you persecuting me, Saul? Of course, he already knows the answer to this question so in one sense it is rhetorical. Saul did not know it was Jesus because he asked him, "Who are you, Lord?"
He gets his answer. "I am Jesus who you are persecuting." Not "I am Jesus and you are persecuting my followers." When anyone persecutes Jesus they are persecuting his church. Jesus goes on "It is hard for you to persecute me, Saul." You can imagine the unsaid "because you are not going to win."
What was Saul's response? I know what he would have liked it to be but he was not in control of the situation which he would have liked to be, so all he could say was "What do you want me to do?" A very wise response Saul. What made it more remarkable was the fact that those travelling with him were speechless because they heard a voice but did not see anyone. How would you feel if that happened to you? Would you think you were hearing things or you were going loopy?
When Saul stood up...nothing. He was as blind as a bat. So the men with him had to lead him by hand into Damascus and for three days he could see nothing and did not eat or drink anything.
Are you beginning to see how much of the miraculous was central to the life of the NTC and the spreading of the gospel? I know that the book of Acts does not tell the whole story, but it does tell us how and when The Way operated and used the power of the Holy Spirit that was available to them and is available to us.
Saul sets off to Damascus, bent on causing as much havoc he can to members of The Way. But...as I am typing this the words "Our God Reigns" come to mind. He had Saul's itinerary all worked out, and before he knew it Saul's world came crashing down. On the way to Damascus, Kaboom out of nowhere, the power of God struck him down. No warning. No "Saul, can I have a chat with you." Just kaboom and a shining light surround him. And when we say shining, we mean shining because it made him blind.
Then Jesus speaks to him and asks him a question. "Why are you persecuting me, Saul? Of course, he already knows the answer to this question so in one sense it is rhetorical. Saul did not know it was Jesus because he asked him, "Who are you, Lord?"
He gets his answer. "I am Jesus who you are persecuting." Not "I am Jesus and you are persecuting my followers." When anyone persecutes Jesus they are persecuting his church. Jesus goes on "It is hard for you to persecute me, Saul." You can imagine the unsaid "because you are not going to win."
What was Saul's response? I know what he would have liked it to be but he was not in control of the situation which he would have liked to be, so all he could say was "What do you want me to do?" A very wise response Saul. What made it more remarkable was the fact that those travelling with him were speechless because they heard a voice but did not see anyone. How would you feel if that happened to you? Would you think you were hearing things or you were going loopy?
When Saul stood up...nothing. He was as blind as a bat. So the men with him had to lead him by hand into Damascus and for three days he could see nothing and did not eat or drink anything.
Are you beginning to see how much of the miraculous was central to the life of the NTC and the spreading of the gospel? I know that the book of Acts does not tell the whole story, but it does tell us how and when The Way operated and used the power of the Holy Spirit that was available to them and is available to us.
This is my thread Mr Health and it is "Would you like to join a New Testament Church" so here is a novel idea for you. Why don't you post some positive comments related to the thread and bless others in so doing.?
I am surprised to read such a negative comment from you brother. Generally, you are very positive and a worthwhile read.
I feel a need to correct a misunderstanding that the church seems to love in dismissing the miraculous power of God. Whatever some people say and think, the supernatural power of God is alive and well in Christendom. Maybe not in some parts but overall there is a lot of it about. I have seen it and been used by God to make it happen so no one will convince me it is a thing of the past.
Like everything on this planet, there is good and bad for the reason people are not perfect so there will be mistakes made and egos will interfere. That in itself is not sufficient reason to tar and feather everyone with the same brush. As I have said many times, if you don't get exposed to the bad, you won't know what is the good.
I think I can honestly say I have seen, read, or heard it all regarding the supernatural power of God, and as a result, I have sorted out the real from the imaginary. A lot of the time the ego drives people into the realm of the supernatural, but for every one of those, the genuine operates. Those that are not genuine, I let them go through to the keeper. I do not build a doctrine or defense from them. I concentrate on the positive and teach from what is true and authentic.
So why don't we all do that? Let's not give the devil coverage. Let his falsehood go through to the keeper and focus on what God is doing. If you are not sure what that is best keep quiet until you do.
Like why would I, none exists. Is that constructive enough, we are supposed to belong to His Church His bride not mens religions.
Why would you post positive comments shows your midset which seems to concentrate on the negative. And I never said anything about men's religions.
You start a church what do you think you will end up with, just take a look around, you are looking at the hypothetical. What is the point of this, if what you speak of does not exist???
Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Answer your other question.
I believe very much that God is alive and working in people and accomplishing what people describe as miracles. I was not dismissing that. My point was rather a matter of priorities. First things first according to God. Jesus was warning them that their emphasis was in the wrong place. Nothing wrong with eating of the 'loaves and fishes' provided by God, but the NT Church of which you speak is a place, or the place, where we are positive and not becoming weary in well doing. Jesus also said:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33
When we put things in their right order as we walk with and for Him, the 'loaves and fishes' may well among those things added unto us, but they are, and should be, simply blessings rather than our first things...
We all have come from the bad and likely as we have walked along with our Lord at times, we like Peter walking on the water have taken our eyes off of the first thing [Jesus] and looked about us toward those bad things. This is like Lot's wife. God will help us like he did Peter when he realized his danger and called out to Jesus... or if we are too interested in what we are looking back at... we will become a pillar of salt. We need to keep our eyes on Him, but if we should let our eyes wander realize that he is still ready to help if we will simply call on Him.
That which is true and authentic is that which is good and Jesus clarified that for us here:
"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God" Mark 10:18
God is the One and if any of us are good, as God would define good, then it would be because we have some of God in us. Is that not the positive? Realizing and acknowledging what the source of all good is?
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Col 1:27
All you who want to criticize and backstab please go ahead if it makes you feel good. I know some people are not happy unless they are doing this. As long as you don't expect me to do the same and develop the same mindset as you that is OK with me. I am here to build up and teach the truth so I will make that my priority and let the negative and nitpicking go through to the keeper.
THE CHURCH PROSPERS ACTS 9 V 31
In Acts 9 v 31 is a very interesting comment. We have seen that the NTC was born and grew out of persecution but despite all this, it produced something worthwhile. It says in this verse "Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace (rest and prosperity) and were edified (housebuilder). And walking in the fear (alarm or fright) of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
This suggests to me that all the persecution and pain that they experienced produced fruit. Eventually, their suffering and patience produced the fruit of a period of prosperous fellowship (not prosperous money) and as a result, the church was built up. if the church was alarmed or frightened by the mighty works of God that they saw and experienced, then the unbelievers probably had the same experience because it showed them that the God they were trying to erase was a force to be reckoned with.
Much as they wanted to remove him from the scene and revert back to the status quo, it wasn't going to happen. He had risen and ascended and planted his church (note not ours) and it was a force to be reckoned with as they saw how powerful their God was in comparison to the heathen gods who could do nothing and did nothing.
It is important to note that the power behind the throne so to speak was the name of Jesus. Not the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as some seem to think. The person that the people had been confronted with was Jesus the Messiah bearing in mind that the Jews were hoping and praying for a Messiah that was going to rescue them from the tyranny of Roman rule. Their focus was earthly but the focus of the NTC was heavenly and deliverance from the problems of the earthly world.
This deliverance would not separate them from the world but allow them to live above the demands of the world and live in the new way of living that the messiah offered. In one sense it was a counter-culture that enabled them to fight off the negative and destructive and replace it with the positive and faith-building.
You need to do more than sing Kumbaya in a building to do that. You need daily fellowship and an awareness of the miracle-working God and where necessary, be used by him to make it happen.
I notice that added is not used to describe growth in the NTC. It always seems to be multiplied. Such a contrast today where surveys seem to point out not addition or multiplication in our churches but declines. What does that say to you? It says to me we are not doing what we are meant to be doing because if we were, we would be multiplying.
And if I had to sum that up succinctly I would say that in most cases we are building our church, not his church. If Jesus said he would build his church, that is what he means. It does not mean that he will build our church if we appear to be doing the right things.
I don't care how successful any church is in man's eyes if it is not His church, it is a waste of time and you are flogging a dead horse because at the end of the day it will come to nothing. I believe God is giving us plenty of warning by the fact that so many leaders of the mega-churches have come a cropper. Whatever the reason, first and foremost they have built a monument to man's effort.
And let me say here that man is very capable of keeping the ball rolling. We know this from all the groups and associations that proliferate society. Some of them have been going for a hundred years or more. So we have to look beyond that to what is God doing, if anything, rather than what man is doing. Cross all the right T's and dot all the right I's and you can keep going forever and a day.
What might have started the right way eventually becomes nothing more than an attempt to maintain the status quo which of course means spiritual death.
And to finish, a quote from Dr. Jurgen Buhler, President of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem who said "All things built on man's glory and on human effort will have to fail, so the things built on God's unshakable Kingdom will remain."
In Acts 9 v 31 is a very interesting comment. We have seen that the NTC was born and grew out of persecution but despite all this, it produced something worthwhile. It says in this verse "Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace (rest and prosperity) and were edified (housebuilder). And walking in the fear (alarm or fright) of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
This suggests to me that all the persecution and pain that they experienced produced fruit. Eventually, their suffering and patience produced the fruit of a period of prosperous fellowship (not prosperous money) and as a result, the church was built up. if the church was alarmed or frightened by the mighty works of God that they saw and experienced, then the unbelievers probably had the same experience because it showed them that the God they were trying to erase was a force to be reckoned with.
Much as they wanted to remove him from the scene and revert back to the status quo, it wasn't going to happen. He had risen and ascended and planted his church (note not ours) and it was a force to be reckoned with as they saw how powerful their God was in comparison to the heathen gods who could do nothing and did nothing.
It is important to note that the power behind the throne so to speak was the name of Jesus. Not the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as some seem to think. The person that the people had been confronted with was Jesus the Messiah bearing in mind that the Jews were hoping and praying for a Messiah that was going to rescue them from the tyranny of Roman rule. Their focus was earthly but the focus of the NTC was heavenly and deliverance from the problems of the earthly world.
This deliverance would not separate them from the world but allow them to live above the demands of the world and live in the new way of living that the messiah offered. In one sense it was a counter-culture that enabled them to fight off the negative and destructive and replace it with the positive and faith-building.
You need to do more than sing Kumbaya in a building to do that. You need daily fellowship and an awareness of the miracle-working God and where necessary, be used by him to make it happen.
I notice that added is not used to describe growth in the NTC. It always seems to be multiplied. Such a contrast today where surveys seem to point out not addition or multiplication in our churches but declines. What does that say to you? It says to me we are not doing what we are meant to be doing because if we were, we would be multiplying.
And if I had to sum that up succinctly I would say that in most cases we are building our church, not his church. If Jesus said he would build his church, that is what he means. It does not mean that he will build our church if we appear to be doing the right things.
I don't care how successful any church is in man's eyes if it is not His church, it is a waste of time and you are flogging a dead horse because at the end of the day it will come to nothing. I believe God is giving us plenty of warning by the fact that so many leaders of the mega-churches have come a cropper. Whatever the reason, first and foremost they have built a monument to man's effort.
And let me say here that man is very capable of keeping the ball rolling. We know this from all the groups and associations that proliferate society. Some of them have been going for a hundred years or more. So we have to look beyond that to what is God doing, if anything, rather than what man is doing. Cross all the right T's and dot all the right I's and you can keep going forever and a day.
What might have started the right way eventually becomes nothing more than an attempt to maintain the status quo which of course means spiritual death.
And to finish, a quote from Dr. Jurgen Buhler, President of the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem who said "All things built on man's glory and on human effort will have to fail, so the things built on God's unshakable Kingdom will remain."
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MIRACLES THE NORM
As I read through the book of Acts in relation to the New Testament Church, it becomes more and more apparent that it is a book of miracles. Hardly a day goes by that a miracle doesn't happen. If you look at Chapter 12 we see another miracle with Peter involved.
Herod had got all uppity about the church and was on a rampage to cause problems for them. First, it is recorded that he had James killed then he seized Peter and as it was the days of unleavened bread, he put him in prison rather than kill him right away. Whilst there, the church was in constant prayer for him. Constant prayer means without ceasing. Without ceasing means no breaks. To coin a well-known advertising phrase "just do it."
That is what the NTC did. No ifs or buts or shall we or shan't we. No. They got down to business. And what was the end result of the praying?
It says that Peter was sleeping (how is that faith for you?). He was bound with two chains between two soldiers. Ouch! And there were guards outside the door keeping the prison. In other words, they didn't intend him to escape or for anyone to help him escape.
Here comes the miracle!! An angel of the Lord stands beside him and a light shines in the prison. No doubt as a result of the praying saints.
The angel wakes him up and says "Get up" and as he does the chains fall off his hands. Who needs a key?
He tells Peter to put on his coat and sandals and to follow him. So that is what Peter did. Not without misgivings as the passage says that he did not know if what was happening was real or more a case of seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guard posts and then an iron gate that led to the city, which opened without help from anyone (another miracle).
When they got to the street outside the angel departed and left them to their own devices. By this time Peter had come to his senses and knew that it was an angel of the Lord that had set him free.
Peter went to a house that had believers in who were praying for him. He knocked on the door (that was standard practice to prevent anyone from coming in and causing havoc). Rhoda who answered the door and recognized Peters's voice dashed back to tell the others.
What was their reply? "Don't be daft." In other words, he is in prison so it can't be him. When they finally opened the door to him they were astonished!! So much for their praying. He told them how the miracle had happened to set him free from prison.
The epilogue did not go well for the soldiers. When 'Herod could not find Peter he questioned the guards and as a reward for doing their job or not as the case may be, he had them killed. What you might say they were dying to be rewarded.
Whilst all that was happening, Peter went down from Judea to Caesarea. No doubt when miracles are in operation you can't win.
Now if that is the case and it was, why don't WE make more use of miracles to establish Jesus' bona fides? If he is the same yesterday, today and forever, surely miracles should be part of our makeup and program. If he is all-powerful why not set that power in motion on behalf of others.
As I read through the book of Acts in relation to the New Testament Church, it becomes more and more apparent that it is a book of miracles. Hardly a day goes by that a miracle doesn't happen. If you look at Chapter 12 we see another miracle with Peter involved.
Herod had got all uppity about the church and was on a rampage to cause problems for them. First, it is recorded that he had James killed then he seized Peter and as it was the days of unleavened bread, he put him in prison rather than kill him right away. Whilst there, the church was in constant prayer for him. Constant prayer means without ceasing. Without ceasing means no breaks. To coin a well-known advertising phrase "just do it."
That is what the NTC did. No ifs or buts or shall we or shan't we. No. They got down to business. And what was the end result of the praying?
It says that Peter was sleeping (how is that faith for you?). He was bound with two chains between two soldiers. Ouch! And there were guards outside the door keeping the prison. In other words, they didn't intend him to escape or for anyone to help him escape.
Here comes the miracle!! An angel of the Lord stands beside him and a light shines in the prison. No doubt as a result of the praying saints.
The angel wakes him up and says "Get up" and as he does the chains fall off his hands. Who needs a key?
He tells Peter to put on his coat and sandals and to follow him. So that is what Peter did. Not without misgivings as the passage says that he did not know if what was happening was real or more a case of seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guard posts and then an iron gate that led to the city, which opened without help from anyone (another miracle).
When they got to the street outside the angel departed and left them to their own devices. By this time Peter had come to his senses and knew that it was an angel of the Lord that had set him free.
Peter went to a house that had believers in who were praying for him. He knocked on the door (that was standard practice to prevent anyone from coming in and causing havoc). Rhoda who answered the door and recognized Peters's voice dashed back to tell the others.
What was their reply? "Don't be daft." In other words, he is in prison so it can't be him. When they finally opened the door to him they were astonished!! So much for their praying. He told them how the miracle had happened to set him free from prison.
The epilogue did not go well for the soldiers. When 'Herod could not find Peter he questioned the guards and as a reward for doing their job or not as the case may be, he had them killed. What you might say they were dying to be rewarded.
Whilst all that was happening, Peter went down from Judea to Caesarea. No doubt when miracles are in operation you can't win.
Now if that is the case and it was, why don't WE make more use of miracles to establish Jesus' bona fides? If he is the same yesterday, today and forever, surely miracles should be part of our makeup and program. If he is all-powerful why not set that power in motion on behalf of others.
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Brakelite
Well-Known Member
Bro, it isn't up to us to make "more use of miracles".
When the true latter day rain comes in great power, (rather than the current counterfeit) then there will be miracles.
SIDEBAR.
I have just finished reading my 7th book on the background of the NTC. They cover different aspects and the same aspects and it is amazing how homogeneous they are on certain topics. I am going to deal with one here. It is eating and communion.
The background to the background is this. In the time of the NTC, there were mainly two types of people. Those that had plenty and those that didn't. You will remember that Jesus spent a lot of time in Galilee where those that had plenty did not live. They were to be found in Jerusalem in grand houses. The Galileans lived in very small houses or tents. The better off had horses and donkeys and litters. The less well of had a pair of feet. The well off had fine clothes and servants. The less well of had what they could get. The well off ate well on choice foods. The less well of ate the cheap cuts. The well off had new clothes all the time. The less well off made do with what they had for at least a year or two.
Quite a striking contrast. After the day of Pentecost, the church, and when I say church I mean the people gravitated towards each other and formed enclaves of living to ensure that everyone was taken care of. They would take over a part of the town and make it their own. That way everyone had somewhere to live and everyone was protected from Rome's and the High Priests soldiers.
The Sanhedrin, by the way, were rich because they taxed everyone with a Temple tax which meant that after they had paid Ceasar his due and put part of it in the temple tax coffers, they kept the rest.
Now, the so-called communion or weekly Lord's Table is totally farcical as no one would have their hunger assuaged by a thimbleful of wine and a bit of bread or cracker.
It is important to realize this new religion was different. The Sanhedrin were not the slightest bit interested in the poor as they could not give much to the temple tax and their pockets. The Way as they were known were committed to the poor and meeting their needs. One way they did this was to cook an evening meal for everyone who needed to eat. In Middle Eastern terms, breaking of bread means meat so if I invited you to eat with me I would invite you to break bread. That was inviting you to a full meal full of delicious food. It has nothing at all to do with communion as we know it.
From what I have learnt from these seven books, the believers gathered together every evening for a meal and from that, they would do the other three. Fellowship, teaching and prayer. Not once did the books say they had communion as in a piece of bread and a thimbleful of wine.
Another way that they were different was the way they emancipated women. In those days particularly amongst Romans, a woman would have her husband chosen for her. She had no say. Often she would be married off to someone who was old enough to be her father. The only thing that mattered to her father in his choice was how it could advance him in the Roman hierarchy. If the marriage could do that the daughter had no say it in at all. Often they would not meet their future husband until the day of the wedding so, in effect, they did not know why they were marrying.
That all changed with The Way. Wives and husbands were chosen by the Lord and all the church did was to confirm the leading of the Spirit. That meant the woman did not have to marry someone else's choice.
I have just finished reading my 7th book on the background of the NTC. They cover different aspects and the same aspects and it is amazing how homogeneous they are on certain topics. I am going to deal with one here. It is eating and communion.
The background to the background is this. In the time of the NTC, there were mainly two types of people. Those that had plenty and those that didn't. You will remember that Jesus spent a lot of time in Galilee where those that had plenty did not live. They were to be found in Jerusalem in grand houses. The Galileans lived in very small houses or tents. The better off had horses and donkeys and litters. The less well of had a pair of feet. The well off had fine clothes and servants. The less well of had what they could get. The well off ate well on choice foods. The less well of ate the cheap cuts. The well off had new clothes all the time. The less well off made do with what they had for at least a year or two.
Quite a striking contrast. After the day of Pentecost, the church, and when I say church I mean the people gravitated towards each other and formed enclaves of living to ensure that everyone was taken care of. They would take over a part of the town and make it their own. That way everyone had somewhere to live and everyone was protected from Rome's and the High Priests soldiers.
The Sanhedrin, by the way, were rich because they taxed everyone with a Temple tax which meant that after they had paid Ceasar his due and put part of it in the temple tax coffers, they kept the rest.
Now, the so-called communion or weekly Lord's Table is totally farcical as no one would have their hunger assuaged by a thimbleful of wine and a bit of bread or cracker.
It is important to realize this new religion was different. The Sanhedrin were not the slightest bit interested in the poor as they could not give much to the temple tax and their pockets. The Way as they were known were committed to the poor and meeting their needs. One way they did this was to cook an evening meal for everyone who needed to eat. In Middle Eastern terms, breaking of bread means meat so if I invited you to eat with me I would invite you to break bread. That was inviting you to a full meal full of delicious food. It has nothing at all to do with communion as we know it.
From what I have learnt from these seven books, the believers gathered together every evening for a meal and from that, they would do the other three. Fellowship, teaching and prayer. Not once did the books say they had communion as in a piece of bread and a thimbleful of wine.
Another way that they were different was the way they emancipated women. In those days particularly amongst Romans, a woman would have her husband chosen for her. She had no say. Often she would be married off to someone who was old enough to be her father. The only thing that mattered to her father in his choice was how it could advance him in the Roman hierarchy. If the marriage could do that the daughter had no say it in at all. Often they would not meet their future husband until the day of the wedding so, in effect, they did not know why they were marrying.
That all changed with The Way. Wives and husbands were chosen by the Lord and all the church did was to confirm the leading of the Spirit. That meant the woman did not have to marry someone else's choice.
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MORE ABOUT MEMBERS OF THE WAY.
The Members of the NTC were NOT Christians. That name did not come into operation until the gospel was taken to Antioch and it was the invention of unbelievers as a designation of contempt. The members of The Way as they were known, still observed the religious laws, attended the temple, honoured the Sabbath and Holy Days for the simple reason they did not stop being Jews.
One of the claims for the church to meet in buildings is the passage where it says they met in the temple courts. They met in the temple courts for the simple reason they were Jews and met to keep the traditions of the Jewish way of life. In other words, they did not stop being Jews. If you talked to them about being Christian they would have no idea what you were talking about.
You will see evidence for all this in Acts 13 v 14. When they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidian and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and sat down. Not the local Pentecostal church or the evangelism crusade. No, the synagogue. They were asked to speak so they did and told them about the Messiah using copious references to him in the Old Testament prophecies.
What was the end result? Many of the Jews and proselytes followed Paul, meaning they accepted what he said, and the gentiles wanted to hear the story of the Messiah the next Sabbath. Strange, I keep getting told the church met on Sunday, and here we are in Antioch and they are still meeting on the Saturday Sabbath. Obviously Paul had not caught up with the latest ideas of the church today.
On the next Sabbath (Saturday) nearly the whole city came together to hear about the Messiah. Not bad for an evangelistic campaign that no one organized. However, the Jews were not too happy about this and opposed the things Paul said.
Pauls response. "That is OK mates. I came to you first to give you first refusal and you refused so I am going to the Gentiles so you only have yourself to blame."
What was the Gentile's response? They were glad and glorified the word of the Lord (spoken). And here is an interesting comment in v48. "And as many, as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Do I detect a bit of Calvinism in there?
Apart from that fantastic outcome, we read that the word of the Lord was being spread throughout the region. However, the Jews were not finished yet as they stirred up opposition to Paul and Barnabas and had them kicked out of town.
Not to worry. The disciples shook the dust off their feet which is the Jewish way of saying "up yours" and traveled to Iconium and despite what had happened they were filled with joy AND the Holy Spirit. What a combination. I can just see them doing high kicks and high fives. That is if that is what they did in those days.
When they got to Iconium, where did they go? To the synagogue with the same result. Both Jews and Greeks expressed their faith in God. Not to be outdone, the unbelieving Jews did their best to queer the pitch of Paul and Barnabus just as they did in Antioch but were not so successful this time as they stayed there for a long time because God was bearing witness to what they were saying by giving them signs and wonders at their hands. Can't seem to get away from the supernatural, can we?
Eventually, they had to leave as some Jews and some Gentiles could not let sleeping dogs lie so they stirred things up and made a violent attempt to abuse and stone them so discretion being the better part of valor, they left quickly and went to Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region. What did they do when they got there? Laid low for a bit so as not to have a repeat of the previous events? Afraid of the consequences if they went at it again? Not on your life. it was a new town and a new opportunity sooooooo, they preached the gospel there.
What was that you said? They did not love their lives unto death? You bet.
The Members of the NTC were NOT Christians. That name did not come into operation until the gospel was taken to Antioch and it was the invention of unbelievers as a designation of contempt. The members of The Way as they were known, still observed the religious laws, attended the temple, honoured the Sabbath and Holy Days for the simple reason they did not stop being Jews.
One of the claims for the church to meet in buildings is the passage where it says they met in the temple courts. They met in the temple courts for the simple reason they were Jews and met to keep the traditions of the Jewish way of life. In other words, they did not stop being Jews. If you talked to them about being Christian they would have no idea what you were talking about.
You will see evidence for all this in Acts 13 v 14. When they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidian and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and sat down. Not the local Pentecostal church or the evangelism crusade. No, the synagogue. They were asked to speak so they did and told them about the Messiah using copious references to him in the Old Testament prophecies.
What was the end result? Many of the Jews and proselytes followed Paul, meaning they accepted what he said, and the gentiles wanted to hear the story of the Messiah the next Sabbath. Strange, I keep getting told the church met on Sunday, and here we are in Antioch and they are still meeting on the Saturday Sabbath. Obviously Paul had not caught up with the latest ideas of the church today.
On the next Sabbath (Saturday) nearly the whole city came together to hear about the Messiah. Not bad for an evangelistic campaign that no one organized. However, the Jews were not too happy about this and opposed the things Paul said.
Pauls response. "That is OK mates. I came to you first to give you first refusal and you refused so I am going to the Gentiles so you only have yourself to blame."
What was the Gentile's response? They were glad and glorified the word of the Lord (spoken). And here is an interesting comment in v48. "And as many, as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Do I detect a bit of Calvinism in there?
Apart from that fantastic outcome, we read that the word of the Lord was being spread throughout the region. However, the Jews were not finished yet as they stirred up opposition to Paul and Barnabas and had them kicked out of town.
Not to worry. The disciples shook the dust off their feet which is the Jewish way of saying "up yours" and traveled to Iconium and despite what had happened they were filled with joy AND the Holy Spirit. What a combination. I can just see them doing high kicks and high fives. That is if that is what they did in those days.
When they got to Iconium, where did they go? To the synagogue with the same result. Both Jews and Greeks expressed their faith in God. Not to be outdone, the unbelieving Jews did their best to queer the pitch of Paul and Barnabus just as they did in Antioch but were not so successful this time as they stayed there for a long time because God was bearing witness to what they were saying by giving them signs and wonders at their hands. Can't seem to get away from the supernatural, can we?
Eventually, they had to leave as some Jews and some Gentiles could not let sleeping dogs lie so they stirred things up and made a violent attempt to abuse and stone them so discretion being the better part of valor, they left quickly and went to Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region. What did they do when they got there? Laid low for a bit so as not to have a repeat of the previous events? Afraid of the consequences if they went at it again? Not on your life. it was a new town and a new opportunity sooooooo, they preached the gospel there.
What was that you said? They did not love their lives unto death? You bet.
Just a thought. Are we not seeing miracles because we are not seeking the Kingdom of God first? I could believe that as we seem to be more enamored with denominations rather than the Kingdom of God.
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