In the previous post, I talked about Christians have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. But in the passage we are studying this week, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Paul writes that we can quench the Spirit. Quench? Is that like Gatorade, “the thirst quencher”? Yes, to quench is to stop something. But the word that theContinue reading “Christians can experience the firepower of the Holy Spirit – 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Part 2”
Tag Archives: early church
How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5
As we think about studying scripture together, I want to point out an interesting episode in the early church that occurs during one of Paul’s mission trips. In Acts 17:10-12, we learn that, “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the JewishContinue reading “How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5”
The problem with contemporary worship services – Study Scripture together, Part 4
The first Christians demonstrated communal Bible study. In Acts 2:42-47, the very first description of the very first church, we learn that the church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching. We read that they were together. The met in the temple courts and in homes. Add up those statements, and we can see how theContinue reading “The problem with contemporary worship services – Study Scripture together, Part 4”
Prayer as an instinct – Praying Together, Part 3
I visited my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandkids in Pittsburgh recently. Though my kids live in Lancaster, my granddaughter was born four hours away in Pittsburgh because she has a heart condition. So I got to meet her for the first time in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of UPMC Children’s Hospital. She was hookedContinue reading “Prayer as an instinct – Praying Together, Part 3”
What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1
Do you remember the Asbury outpouring that happened last year? From February 8, 2023, all the way to February 24th, 2023, that’s 17 days, there was a continuous, 24/7, worship and prayer event at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Throughout history there have been numerous such extended prayer efforts. In fact, the International House ofContinue reading “What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1”
Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5
Over the years people in my church have expressed concern that there are cliques in our church family. The word “clique” reminds me of my high school cafeteria. You could look across the large space full of tables and see the cliques, the small groups of people, like the football players, the cheerleaders, the academics, the bandContinue reading “Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5”
The earliest Christians were not perfect. But they do help us think about… Meeting together, Part 4
It is normal for pastors and church leaders to be idealistic about church, as we want our churches to be all that God wants us to be. In pursuit of the ideal, we often look to the early church as perfect. They were not perfect. But they definitely give us an excellent example, especially about how to meetContinue reading “The earliest Christians were not perfect. But they do help us think about… Meeting together, Part 4 “
One man’s example of sacrificial generosity – Encourage one another, Part 2
One of the most famous encouragers in the Bible is Barnabas. But Barnabas is not his real name. Turn to Acts 4:36-37. In Acts 4:36, we learn that Barnabas’ actual name is Joseph, but he is called by the nickname “Barnabas” because he is known for being an encourager. “Barnabas” means “son of encouragement.” ThoughContinue reading “One man’s example of sacrificial generosity – Encourage one another, Part 2”
Introducing a new blog series: Relationships in the church
This past fall, in front of the whole class, I had to disagree with one of my students. I was teaching Early Church, covering the New Testament books of Acts through Revelation. In that class session, a student remarked at how unified the early church was. It was early in the semester, so this studentContinue reading “Introducing a new blog series: Relationships in the church”
Jesus’ disciples followed his lead in…Creating Culture, Part 4
Enlivened by his Spirit, Jesus’ new community launched on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). On that day, Jesus’ disciples preached to the descendants of Israel, Jewish pilgrims from many lands who gathered in the city of Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. What started as a Christian community of 120 men and women, led by Jesus’,Continue reading “Jesus’ disciples followed his lead in…Creating Culture, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 