The Early Church with Jesus Gone | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Someone has said the real measure of a man's ministry is what happens when he leaves. This was true with Jesus as well. After his resurrection he ministered for a short time and then ascended into Heaven. Now the Disciples were left --- minus Judas who had hanged himself.

    Trouble during the between time of resurrection and ascension

    I am going to describe the Christian Church. You can quickly see the comparison to any human civilization. The Early Church was no different than America, Great Britain, Rome, Greece, and any other major civilization. The longest running civilization yet, according to history, is the Roman Empire. It lasted about 400 years. We are in the second century of America. Bath, the oldest town in NC, has celebrated its 300th anniversary. All societies have the human quirks which consistently rise to the surface and create friction.

    When the fat hit the fan with Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, it was a confrontation between "powers that be" and the "RADICAL claiming to be the promised Messiah." I use "Radical" in its basic sense of the word. Radical comes from Root. Jesus was getting to the root of what true God worship/living should be. He showed it with actions and words.

    The most vocal Disciple, Peter, denied his Lord 3 times and ended with cursing to prove he was not one of them. Judas saw the folly of his sell out and went out and hanged himself. All the rest cowered to hidden places. Only 3 women had the guts to go to the tomb on the Third Day to anoint his body --- as was their custom in those days. They got the blessing of seeing an empty tomb instead!

    Is it not interesting that men were cowards and women were the brave ones!

    Once a resurrected Christ appeared to them, there were differences in the reports of the Gospels. One witness says they touched him, another says he forbade them since "he was not yet fully resurrected." It matters not the exact details. The main thing is Jesus ROSE FROM THE GRAVE. Through the centuries since the initial story it remains a matter of faith that Jesus rose from the tomb and walked among them for a time.

    What I am trying to cite is that witnesses vary --- and the one who chooses to accept Christ as the Messiah has, ultimately, to make up his own mind! A real faith is one based on willingness to accept Jesus as The Christ. Jews still do not buy it / Muslims and Hindus say he is but one of several prophets / the Mormons say they have another witness in their Book of Mormon.

    Any Follower of Christ must make his own faith statement and lifestyle.

Trouble in the Early Church

    No sooner than early Christians began to gather, there was trouble over whether Gentiles could be followers or did you, first, have to be a Jew. This battle was between Paul and Peter. They split over it. Peter was adamant that Jews were the only ones of true faith / Paul had a vision in a dream that told him "all are made in the image of God and have the privilege of Salvation." In another sense Peter was actually an Apostle and Paul was one who met Christ on the Damascus Road. Both were head strong and egotistical and therein is the root cause of major differences in any society, religious or otherwise.

    In any society, even the ones following Christ, there is pecking order!

    The Bible describes it as having different "GIFTS." Some are prone to speaking out and being seen. Others quietly go about their business. Sometimes the quiet ones have more real influence than the outspoken ones. They are certainly more of the majority in numbers. It is always easier to stay low and not make waves where you can get criticized.

    If you remember your own growing up days, the early years and teenage ones are all about CONFORMITY!

    HOWEVER, we are not all little automatons programed to do as told. I see it in my grandchildren. Each one is unique. We have 5 boys and one girl to observe growing up now. My daughter's 4 boys (God help her poor soul) are a classic case of testosterone therapy. There is something about boys competing for superiority which is right out of Animal Kingdom. As in the lion world, one male is the boss and there are fights to settle the issue! The Lion King's reward is to try and satisfy all the females in his harem.

    That is a classic case of winning the prize --- then wishing you had not won!

    Another problem needing resolution in early Church times WAS over polygamy vs. monogamy. The criterion for being a Deacon was "husband of one wife." In our day we think it means "never divorced." In their reality and original situation there was a great division between the Hebrew and Greek widows being supported by early Christians. The culture wars of the first Century were between those main groups and the ladies were fussing constantly and becoming a threat to the Fellowship of the followers. No man could have several wives and then enough energy to solve the "widow dilemma."

    To solve the problem and prevent dissolution the leaders advised: "Pick some men of good character to meet with them and get them to live at peace." The biblical account does not give details of the resolution. It just says those early Church Servants resolved the problem and then they went forward in a peaceful fellowship (for a time).

    Here is the summation of Early Church activities to form a society of faith:

        •  Someone had to lead while others followed

        •  Satan always loves a fight and hate --- which destroys Fellowship and Goodwill

        •  Never was their group devoid of human competition

        •  Christ had wars on both fronts --- those who followed and those who criticized and plotted for their demise