Jerusalem Reviewed

      We have paid a lot of attention to the Jerusalem church over this past year, spending at least one lesson per month focused on the amazing success of the first church. Let’s review what we have learned this year.

      In Acts 2:42, we saw the Jerusalem church’s devotion to worship. They were not devoted to doing whatever they wanted and calling it worship. They were devoted to worshiping the Lord His way in spirit and truth (cf. John 4:24).

      As recorded in Acts 4:32, we learned the Jerusalem church was devoted to unity within the body. They were concerned about the whole more than they were their individual part.

      Through the first half of Acts, we see numerous problems facing the Jerusalem church. They did not allow those to linger but dealt with them aggressively.

      In Acts 2:46, we learned the Jerusalem church lost no one in the crowd, because the members were devoted to interact with one another outside of the crowd.

      Acts 6:1-6 demonstrated the leaders and the members of the congregation understood no one can do everything. They were willing to delegate labor and let everyone be involved.

      Reading Acts 4-5, we saw the Jerusalem church was bold in the face of rejection. They did not falter simply because the religious mainstream rejected and persecuted them.

      From Acts 6-8, we learned the Jerusalem church did not rely wholly on free agents. Certainly, they had their share of full time workers. However, they clearly focused on developing leadership within the ranks of the congregation.

      Additionally, we have learned to clarify the Jerusalem vision. The Jerusalem vision is not one of a mother church, but an exemplary church. It is not about having 10,000 members, but having unceasing growth. It is not about having enough hired hands to do the work, but having all hands working. It is not about having 12 evangelists, but about having the full-time workers needed to mobilize and equip the congregation. It is not about becoming a huge corporation, but about becoming a closer-knit family. It is not a vision of socialism and communism, but about every member sacrificing for the good of the whole. It is not about being problem free, but being committed to overcome the problems. This is our vision for the Franklin church.

      Finally, we examined some of the natural advantages Jerusalem had and learned how to make them our own. First, the Jerusalem church had the widespread enthusiasm of something new and extraordinary. We can have this as well if we remember exactly how extraordinary what we are involved in is, even if it is no longer new. Second, the Jerusalem church was free from traditional approaches to worship and work. We can have this as well if we learn to distinguish between God’s pattern and our scripturally expedient ways of accomplishing God’s pattern. Third, the Jerusalem brethren had time to spend with one another outside of the assemblies. We can have this as well if we learn to redeem the time and pursue what is most important first.

      We refuse to be the average American church. We will press on to be extraordinary, like the church in Jerusalem. Our Savior deserves it.

Edwin L. Crozier