Category Archives: early Christianity

I Want to Bring Back the Dinosaur of Early Christian Enemy-Love

Posted on July 27, 2025 by Steve Simms

The early Christians radically loved and forgave their enemies. That’s a dinosaur that needs to be brought back into our hate-filled world. To love your enemies, as Jesus commands, (Matthew 5:44) you must embrace a deeper reality. To “bless those … Continue reading →

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Jesus institution or Jesus revolution?

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Steve Simms

Christianity began as a Jesus-led movement, a spontaneous revolution of people being led by the acts of Jesus and His life-giving revelation — “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Over the years it shifted from being a Jesus revolution … Continue reading →

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A Christian worship gathering was first called . . .?

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Steve Simms

The first Christians didn’t call their gatherings “synagogue” like the Rabbi-led Jewish meeting, but “ekklesia” like the democratic Greek town hall meeting. Gradually the early Christian gatherings turned away from the democratic ekklesia model and embraced the hierarchical synagogue model. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st Century church, early Christianity, early church, ekklesia, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, Spirit-prompted | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Jesus’ calling on first century Christ-followers

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Steve Simms

Understanding the calling on the first century Christ-followers, who Paul wrote letters to depends on understanding the Greek word that is translated as church. That word is ekklesia. There were two ekklesias in each of the Greek cities that Paul … Continue reading →

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Priests & other church leaders

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Steve Simms

Being hurt by religion is sometimes the first step toward learning to listen to and follow the risen Jesus. It helps us look beyond religious leaders to Christ. The body of Christ should be an environment of radical humility, honesty, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, biblical Christianity, Christianity, control, dishonesty, early Christianity, God's presence, healing, honesty, humility, sexual harassment, simple church, Uncategorized, walk in the light | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This dynamic best seller is a fire starter!

Posted on July 21, 2018 by Steve Simms

Communication is a form of creation. Words paint images. Read the Bible and let the words God spoke in the past paint your heart today. Much in the Bible I don’t understand, but the parts I do understand have transformed my … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Christian media, church mediation, early Christianity, early Christians, early church, living words, media circus, New Testament, New Testament Christianity, New Testament church, Old Testament, power of words, prophet, prophetic, prophets, social media, Uncategorized, words, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Sit & be told?” or “Go & be bold?”

Posted on May 27, 2018 by Steve Simms

The living experience of Christ is far more amazing than anything anyone can say about Him. To really understand the Gospel it must be more than preached. It must be personally experienced and lived. People learn what they do. To really learn … Continue reading →

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Drawing a fish with a stranger

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Steve Simms

If you’re fishing for unity in the body of Christ, bait with your heart, not with minute theological details! To experience “reel” unity, we need to let the Holy Spirit pull us together!   The early Christians experienced a supernatural sense … Continue reading →

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What if church set people free go and serve God?

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Steve Simms

Is Jesus the controlling Head (Lord) of your church or has He been put into honored retirement? Too, often church is like a football team that always keeps their quarterback on the sidelines. Bring Jesus off the bench! It’s one … Continue reading →

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Luther’s 95 vs. my 95 — #24

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Steve Simms

My 95 Theses #24: If we stop church when we’re ready to end it, we may miss out on something beautiful God still wants to do.

Posted in Christianity, church, church reform, counter culture Christianity, early Christianity, normal Christianity, radical Christianity, rare form of Christianity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment