@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'

Telling the Story

I believe it is true to say that the more any contemporary Christian fellowship shares the stories and sayings of Jesus, the more like the first church it will be, not merely in outward similarity, but in love, and life, and power. There is so much that is foundational in these stories, including a powerful demonstration of the nature and character of loving community. Through His preaching, teaching, and healing, Jesus modelled a community centred on love, service, and mutual support (John 13:34-35, Matthew 20:28). His example provided a blueprint for the first church to follow, ensuring that their fellowship was grounded in the principles of contemplation, compassion and commission. They daily looked to Jesus, they lived in active love for one another, and they went ‘into all the world,’ just as He had commanded them. If we are members of a Christian community, let us regularly share the sayings and tell the stories of Jesus, that He may build His church through us. The timeless message of the Gospels, and the living voice of Jesus guiding us daily, will enable us to live as they lived and love as they loved. Halleluia!