In the formative days of the Church the new believers, some Jews and some Gentiles, needed guidance, direction, a foundation on which to base and build their faithfulness to Jesus and His Gospel. There was no New Testament yet, so solid teaching and faithful witness were desperately needed. In this new Church, the apostle Paul boldly stepped up and said, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
Paul put himself out there as a model for the new Church’s blueprint and strategic plan, as it found its way in the world. It was bold on his part, but think about it for a moment. Paul offered himself as a role model for new disciples to follow as they found their footing. He did it by calling them to remember what they had learned and received from him, as well as what they had heard and seen in his life. What he taught and how he lived was a witness, a testimony, for the new unfolding and growing community.
Could it be that twenty-centuries later it works the same way? Could it be that God still uses people to model both content and lifestyle to new Believers in the Community. Could it be that what we teach and how we live profoundly matters?
So, how are we doing in all this?
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