@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'

Love Without Limits

Let it flow!

Whilst human love often has its limits, it is the nature of Divine Love that it cannot be
contained. The reach of this love did not stop at the boundaries of the first church but freely flowed beyond it into the lives of those outside, through acts of compassion, evangelism, and outreach. The love of these disciples was a compelling force that attracted many to the faith. Their acts of kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others were a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love. This love was evident in their willingness to share the gospel message, often at great personal risk. The love they showed was not just in words but in actions, making their witness credible and authentic. As they reached out to others, they did so with a love that transcended social, cultural, and economic barriers, embodying the inclusive and universal nature of Christ's message. This love-driven evangelism played a crucial role in the rapid spread of Christianity, as people were drawn to the message of a loving and redemptive God. Many were drawn to this loving community, experiencing firsthand the warmth and acceptance that characterised their fellowship.