@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“I shall not hesitate also to put into ordered form for you, along with the interpretations, everything I learned carefully in the past from the elders and noted down carefully, for the truth of which I vouch. For unlike most people, I took no pleasure in those who told many different stories, but only in those who taught the truth. Nor did I take pleasure in those who reported their memory of someone else’s commandments, but only in those who reported their memory of the commandments given by the Lord to the faith and proceeding from the Truth itself. And if by chance anyone who had been in attendance on the elders arrived, I made enquiries about the words of the elders—what Andrew or Peter had said, or Philip or Thomas or James or John or Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples, and whatever Aristion and John the Elder, the Lord’s disciples, were saying. For I did not think that information from the books would profit me as much as information from a living and surviving voice.
~ Papias of Hierapolis (c. 60–130 AD) From the Preface to his lost ‘Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord’
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

Critical Listening to the Gospel

There is an unhealthy criticism that is often driven by aggression and is rarely constructive. But there is another kind of criticism, representing an honest attempt to examine and reveal truth. The value of the latter cannot be exaggerated, as its use invariably leads to a strong foundation of faith and the confidence that comes from it. We live in an age where words can be cheap, and because of that, people are often more cautious listeners. There’s nothing wrong in being a critical listener in the sense of considering arguments and claims carefully. The Jews of Berea, responded to Paul’s preaching by going away and examining the scriptures carefully to test what he was saying (Acts 17:10-12). They were wise to do that. It’s always good to check things out. But there is an unhealthy scepticism in our society caused by so many messages of lies and deceit, and this is one of the challenges that we face in sharing the Gospel today. Never be afraid to submit your position to the scrutiny of others. The gospel will stand the strictest scrutiny! By taking the time to deal with people’s questions and concerns we may reach a place where they become satisfied of the truth of our message, and it is then that we may invite them to take the life-changing step of receiving Christ as their Saviour.