With common societal mantras like, “the grass is always greener” and “I just want to keep my options open,” is there really any point in committing to a One Church?
Even though the 1st century Church looked and operated much differently than Churches today, there are plenty of descriptive lessons to be learned from how these initial Christian communities functioned. For Christians in the 1st century, Church was no mere club, nor one option among many various groups to which one could belong; it was, for them, what came to define their very heritage and identity.
Before life in Christ, and life with other Christians, people were divided by race, gender, class, national identity, etc.; but the leaders of the new Christian movement (Paul especially) were adamant that:
“you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. For there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heir according to promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)
