The Way

The Way

Throughout the book of Acts, in the early Church, people who were followers of Jesus weren't called Christians but they were called followers of “The Way” or people of “The Way”. Christianity today is seen as “traditional” and “conformist”, however when it hit the scene 2,000 years ago, it was anything but that. It turned societies on their side, not because it was “anti-conformist”, but because they relentlessly conformed to Christ and made the revelation of the gospel and it’s influence the center of their ethos. The gospel caused them to be so radically generous, joyful, graceful, loving, and committed to a standard of living, that it caused a tremendous amount of friction with the moral rhythms and corruption of societies. They were not simply committed to a cultural obligation, but they lived in complete devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “The Way” wasn’t an option, movement or trend, it was ultimate truth and reality, and the Kingdom of God unveiled to the world. They weren’t just attenders or consumers of God, but they were aggressive participants in the work they could see that God was doing first in them and then around them. It wasn't, “I’m doing Christian things because it’s what I’m supposed to do”, but it was “This is who I am and I can’t help but live this way”. They were completely sold out for Jesus and it had a seismic impact on the eastern world at that time. It’s unreasonable to expect to be a church exactly like one 2,000 years ago. There are so many variables that affect that. We’re buried in culture, tradition, and industry. We’re also buried in time and that’s okay. But what are the core components we can take from the ancient church, that made it “The Way” - that still applies to today.