The Bible as actual history...

Written history is a wonderful thing.  It helps us get a picture of something that maybe we were not able to witness in person.  It is great when the written history is recorded by someone of that era and was able to participate in what was going on.  

The Bible contains history, real history.  Sometimes we just label it as a religious book and it gets lumped in with others but it is so different because it gives us actual names and dates to verify.  When we have other histories of that era that verify what we are reading in the Bible then we have collaborating evidence that this is what was going on.

A picture of the 1st century church is given in Acts 2:42-47, which reads,

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.  Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.  They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.  Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house.  They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  Every day the Lord added to their number whose who were being saved."

The question is, "Is this a true picture of the church during that time?"  We first turn to the written account of Justin Martyr round 160 A.D. who wrote,

"We who once took most pleasure in the means of increasing our wealth and property now bring what we have into a common fund and share with everyone in need; we who hated and killed one another and would not associate with men of different tribes because of their different customs, now...live together.  Those who have more come to the aid of those who lack, and we are constantly together...Those who prosper, and so wish, contribute, each one as much as he chooses to.  What is collected is deposited with the president, and he takes care of orphans and widows, and those who are in want on account of sickness or any other cause, and those who are in bonds, and the strangers who are sojourners among (us), and, briefly, he is the protector of all those in need."

Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Cyprian, Dionsysius, and Josephus all have accounts like this one that verifies what the Bible says about the church and its activities and its love for one another.  Of course this is written by one who is a Christian so what do the early historians say about the Christians who are not of the faith?  Julian the Apostate who was around in 360 A.D. wrote,

"Why do we not observe that it is their (the Christians') benevolence to strangers, their care for the graves of the dead and the pretended holiness of their lives that have done the most to increase atheism?...When...the impious Galileans support not only their own poor, but our as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us."

Lucian of Samosata who was around in 165 A.D. and also not a believer wrote of the times and the Christians,

"When (Peregrinus) had been imprisoned, the Christians, regarding the incident as a calamity, left nothing undone in the efforts to rescue him...not in any casual way but with assiduity; and from the very break of day aged widows and orphan children could be seen waiting near the prison, while their officials even slept inside with him after bribing the guards.  Then elaborate meals were brought in, and sacred books of theirs were read aloud, and excellent Peregrinus--for he still went by that name--was called by them "the new Socrates."  Indeed, people came even from the cities of Asia, sent by the Christians at their common expense, to succour and defend and encourage the hero.  They show incredible speed whenever any such public action is taken; for in no time they lavish their all...their first lawgiver (Jesus) persuaded them that they are all brothers of one another after they have transgressed once for all by denying the Greek gods and by worshipping that crucified sophist himself and living under his laws.  Therefore they despise all things indiscriminately and consider them common property."

Why is this important?  The reason is because other documents of the era say what the Bible says.  The Bible can stand all on its own and many times does until science, archaeology and history catch up with it but it is great to see the two side by side from different walks of life saying the same thing.  

One last note is that the church was viewed as a family.  The calling of each other "brother" and "sister" were more than just a title but an actual bond that was sealed by the blood of Christ.  Christ's death and resurrection brought together this family that would think and act more on behalf of the group than themselves individually.  My questions are,  "Do we do the same in our culture when we look at the local family of God that we are a part of?  Do we look to serve rather than to be served?  Do we take on Christ's commands with a vengeance or do we make them very optional when they fit into our schedules?"  Let us pray.

"Lord, we learn so much from those who have come before us.  Thank You for all those converted lives that rocked their world with Your actions.  Help us to do the same.  May others write of our compassion and love because we are following after You for Your glory to encourage future generations to keep the focus on You and others instead of me, me, and me.  Amen."

Pastor Adam