The purpose of this article is to define in detail the role of the early church in Christianity and its origin.
The early church
When we speak of the early church, we are referring to the Christian church of the first days. The history of the early church and its evolution can be found in the book of Acts, which explains in detail its establishment and growth, as well as the proclamation of the gospel throughout the world.
This gospel, proclaimed from the book of Acts, was given under the command of Christ and by the power of his Holy Spirit. If you wish to learn more about this gospel, we invite you to read the following link entitled "What is the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ?" , as well as "The Great Commission".
The early church sets the standard for how the church should be today. This model was inspired by the same Holy Spirit who leads his church into all truth, as established by the Word.
This church makes a difference in society, establishing a way of life that wanted only to please God and not men. Their Christian practices and their desire to be different from the context and culture in which they lived made them targets of persecution. However, that was not regret for them, because their desire was to serve, in total dedication to the one who had given his life for them.
Origin
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
The church begins to take its first steps, once our Lord Jesus Christ is resurrected. When Jesus ascends to heaven, He promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit of God would come upon them, the comforter who would be the guide in everything that the church was going to undertake.
The first Christians began to walk with the Master's disciples. The first churches were instituted in the houses of believers, although they also attended temples. There they met to pray, fast, watch, study the Word. It was a church that walked in unity and had all things in common, as we can read in the book of Acts, chapter 2, verse 32, in its second part.
In addition to this, they preached the message of Salvation, they made known the sacrifice of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and the hope of his return.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for them. Yes, it was a church that loved the Lord, and the boldness and dedication with which they served irritated their opponents. As a result, many of them were persecuted, and some even lost their lives for the Master. If you'd like to learn more about what boldness is, we invite you to read the following article titled "What is Boldness?"
A church committed to social work
There were many who believed in the Lord and followed him. The Word teaches us in the book of Acts chapter 4, verses 32 to 37, that these believers had solidarity with each other. They had believed in the Lord with all their hearts and souls, and the love of the Father was in their hearts.
They did not consider anything as their own, but all things were in common. Among them there were no needs, but they sold their goods and these were brought to the apostles to be used according to what each one required.
These were acts of love and kindness that these early Christians did. In them there was no selfishness, they were believers capable of seeing themselves in the needs of the other, and for this reason with detachment they gave help to those who deserved it.
If you would like to learn more about biblical truths, I invite you to follow the link : What are Christian values?
truths of the early church
Since the early church lived a life devoted to the Lord, their greatest joy was to make known the ministry of the gospel. That is why her passion was the depth of the Word. They knew that this was the foundation that kept them firm, that the truth of the faith they professed was found in the scriptures, so they made an effort to know it to preach with fervor.
These believers were so committed to service that their own lives were an example to others. It was not only the message that they could convey through the Word, but also what they preached with their actions.
If we take a tour of the book of Acts we find Christians who are fervent in spirit. Leading a life of intimacy with God was their goal, so much so that we can find chapters where they give us an example of fervent prayer.
Chapter 12, verses 6 to 19, tells us when Peter is released from prison. The church was at home crying when he comes to the door. It is a vivid example that this passage leaves us, that even in the midst of adversity, the Church must raise her prayer to the Father, believing that the answer always comes from Him.
As a complement to this uplifting theme, I invite you to observe the following audiovisual content.
Early Church Teaching
As we mentioned in previous lines, the early church is the model of the church today. In addition, it gives us a wonderful example of love, service and dedication to our Lord Jesus Christ.
His foundation was totally attached to the Word. Added to the life of intimacy that they led with the Master, which led them to act in love under the holy commandments of the Lord.
They had to face many setbacks. However, they did not give up hope. They knew in whom they had believed, and that made them immovable. Jesus, our Lord, was their north.
That must be the feeling of believers today. A unique desire for service and dedication for our Lord and help the needy.
The times we live in are very hard times, and for this reason we must strengthen ourselves in the Lord so that, like these believers, our faith can remain intact and with courage to be able to make known the message of salvation to those who need Jesus and do not they know him.
Closing remarks
This time of confinement that we live in today has led us to remember the beginnings of the church. When they met in homes to exalt the Lord. Like the first believers, we must exercise ourselves in the search for his presence, which is where we will be gifted and filled with his Spirit so that we can then give to others what we received from the Father.
With this we want to make known that the work of the Lord never stops. Whatever the circumstances, our Owner, Master and Lord whom we serve is the one who sustains us. Just as he sustained each one of these believers who served with great love in that past time and who slept and waited in the promise of the resurrection.
We must not forget its foundation. What he kept her standing on, that is the same foundation that keeps us standing today, the Lord does not change, he is the same yesterday, today and forever, and he leads us every day to deepen in his Word and live it. Well, it is through him that the eternal truths are revealed to our lives and that we can stand firm, in the hope, in which we have also believed and wait until his return.