The early church described in the book of Acts gives us the very first ‘expressions of church’, Michael A Eaton of the Langham Partnership looks at the letter to a church that sprung up in just a few weeks and became a model community for others.
It is always a good idea to consider what a local congregation should be by looking at the various churches of the NT (New Testament). We may learn a lot from the churches of Jerusalem and Antioch and others. And here in the case of the church at Thessalonica we have a wonderful glimpse of what early Christians were like, not long after the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.
Here we see a glimpse of Christian preachers ministering in the power of the Spirit, and a church which is authentically a church alive with the life of God. Paul addresses the congregation: ‘Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Let us try to get a profile of this church. It will help us see what a ‘church’ is meant to be.
It was born amidst a burst of spiritual power.
It is obvious that Paul had great spiritual power when this church began. Paul began by preaching in the synagogue. His preaching raised violent opposition and disturbed the entire town (Acts 17:2-9). Why is it that we often seem to think that ‘church-planting’ takes a long time? Paul started this church in three weeks, yet the Thessalonians’ conversion was dramatic and clear. They turned from idols to God and immediately began to live in the light of Jesus’ second coming (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).
It was sustained by the Holy Spirit with very little leadership.
