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Saturday, September 25, 2004
3,000 souls came to know Christ that day (in roughly 33 A.D. or so). A new life began for them. A life that wasn't separating "Christian" from "secular." It was a new way of filtering the same data...and responding to that filtering in a new way as well. It was a new way of walking. New peripatetics, if you will.
It was a life that involved being taught. Being taught by apostles who knew what they were talking about...first-hand. Literally, first-hand. They were devoted to this stuff. It wasn't just where they went on Sunday to hang out and see and be seen. They were hearing a new way of looking at the Old Testament, both The Law and the Prophets. 400 years and nothing authoritative from God...now, God has intervened not only in history but also in their own lives. There's no way around it. They were devoted to this new teaching.
It was a life that involved fellowship. It was a new way of loving people and being loved by people. It was being known by people. It was knowing people. I can't imagine what their discussions were like. Reinterpreting entire portions of Scripture in light of new revelations. In light of New Revelation. But they did life together in a meaningful way. It was more than the weather and the scores of ball games, but those were part of it, too.
It was a life that involved eating together in some sort of formal fashion. If you believe this to be The Lord's Supper, that's fine. If you believe this was less than sacramental, that's okay, too. But they broke bread together. And sharing a meal meant much more in their culture than it does in these times...so it was important.
It was life that was devoted to prayer. Continually. Later, this tribe would get words like "pray without ceasing" and "lifting up holy hands in prayer" and other items that probably confused them a bit less than it does for us...but they talked to and with God. They were dealing with God in a less formal way now. They didn't have to use a priest or prophet anymore. They hadn't heard the words yet, but now the only mediator between God and man was Christ and they could boldly approach the throne of grace. And those were weren't words that had become so common that they were callous to them.
It was life of Spirit-filled awe.
It was a life of togetherness. All things were in common. "Garage sales" were going on, to take care of each other. A close-knit Jewish culture was becoming even more close-knit. The needy were having needs met. Those with too much stuff were enjoying a minimalism with a smile.
Every day they were going to the temple together. I imagine the old pathways had a new familiarity.
They were taking meals together. In each other's homes.
They were worshipping in a new way. Together. Outsiders were drawn by watching this culture at work (see the new book recommendation to the left...The Celtic Way of Evangelism...a treatise on this entire idea).
They were happy people. Sincere people. Walking with God.
And we can hear the newfangled echoes of David's words in Psalm 122: "I was glad when they said, 'Let us go to the house of theLord.'"
Life together. Authentic. Joyful. Transparent. Loving. Being loved.
Wow.
Brent 1:02 AM
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