By Keith R. Keyser
The world is a dangerous place. Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruptions, and “wars and rumors of war,” Christians face the added problem of opposition, suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake. (1) The first century was no different. As the early church carried out its mission to “make disciples of all the nations,” God empowered the believers to stand against diverse challenges. (2) Happily, the New Testament teaches that the body of Christ is still well-suited for crises like sickness, persecution, and geographical disruption.
Hospitality: the antidote to dispersion, loneliness, and disunity
Beginning with Stephen’s martyrdom, saints were scattered as gospel seeds, winning souls and planting assemblies in far-flung places like Antioch. (3) Faithful and hospitable fellow believers, such as Lydia, Aquila and Priscilla, and Mnason, greatly helped traveling believers—especially missionaries like Paul. (4)
The first believer listed, Lydia, opened her heart and home to gospel expansion; the second couple, Aquila and Priscilla, built up local churches and encouraged young workers like Apollos. The latter believer, Mnason, is described as “an early disciple,” or alternately, “a disciple of long standing” and “a Christian from the early days,” or even, “one of the original disciples.” (5)
When he visited Mnason, Paul undoubtedly enjoyed hearing this insider’s view of the church’s early days. It demonstrates the wonderful interaction between the different generations of saints. There is no generation gap in the body!
The hymn writer and preacher John Newton opined: “I look upon our old believers here, as misers look upon their gold, with a mixture of pleasure and pain. I am daily apprehensive some of them will be called home; but I long and pray that, before they are removed, others may be raised up to supply their places.” (6)
Clearly, Christianity is meant to be passed on from believer to believer—older to younger—through the centuries. (7) Even within the same time period, believers must encourage, exhort, and strengthen each other so their fellow saints do not succumb to discouragement or division. (8)
Prayer: a bulwark against spiritual foes
The early church answered trials by fervently crying out to God in prayer. They met beatings, imprisonments, and threats with intercession and supplication. While Peter participated in an angelic jailbreak, the saints assembled in a prayer meeting on his behalf; his release elicited thanksgiving from them and gave testimony to the lost. (9) Likewise, Paul and Silas greeted imprisonment with prayer and praise, thereby seeing God rescue them and save the Philippian jailer and his family. (10)
Faith: calm amid the storm
The first Christians actively trusted the Lord to work through their difficulties. When Paul encountered a two-week storm, he looked to God and encouraged his shipmates to believe in the Almighty. Listen to the apostle preach in the teeth of the tempest:
And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.” Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island. (11)
Obviously, faith makes anxiety depart. When we look to God, our thoughts move from fear to faith. (12) With Christ in our ship, perishing is an impossibility, so we may walk through this perilous world confident in God’s keeping power and sustaining grace. (13)
Recognizing this truth, let us follow pioneer missionary William Carey’s advice: “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” Christ’s body was made for worshipping and serving amid adversity. ■
Keith Keyser is a commended worker based in Pennsylvania.
Notes:
(1) Matthew 24:6; John 15:18–16:4.
(2) Matthew 28:19.
(3) Compare Acts 8:1, 4 and 11:19–26.
(4) Acts 16:14; Acts 18:1–3; Romans 16:3–5; 1 Corinthians 16:19.
(5) Acts 21:16; Acts 21:16 (NASB); Acts 21:16 (REB); Acts 21:16 (NET margin).
(6) John Newton, The Works of John Newton, Vol. 6 (London: Hamilton, Adams, & Co., 1820), 70.
(7) 2 Timothy 2:2.
(8) 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15.
(9) Acts 12:16–19; see also the prayer and praise following persecution in Acts 4:23–31.
(10) Acts 16:25–34.
(11) Acts 27:22–26.
(12) Isaiah 41:13–14; Philippians 4:6–7.
(13) Mark 4:35–41.
