Category Archives: early Christians

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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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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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 →

Posted in alternative to preaching, as bold as a lion, bold, bold statements, early Christianity, early Christians, early church, gifts of the Spirit, preaching the Gospel, preaching without words, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in early Christianity, early Christians, persecution, religious persecution, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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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Christaholics Out Of The Closet, Shouting It From The Housetops

Posted on September 27, 2014 by Steve Simms

What if salvation isn’t an emotional experience with God at an altar?  What if it isn’t choosing to respond to an altar call and/or repeating a prayer that someone else feeds you the words? What if , instead, salvation is an ongoing, … Continue reading →

Posted in AA, Catherine Booth, Christaholic, COC, early Christians, early church, founding of the church, Galilee, Jerusalem, out of the closet, prayer, Quotations, quote, Quotes, renewal, revival, salvation, Salvation Army, Salvationism, Salvationists, shout it from the housetops, Son of Man, thrust the truth, what does it mean to be saved | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Democracy, Ekklesia, & Church (It’s Greek to most of us.)

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Steve Simms

An ekklesia was the governing body of an ancient Greek city-state and the world’s first expression of democracy.   It was made up of all of the adult, male citizens in a particular city-state and met 40 times per year to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, ancient Greece, ancient Greek wisdom, assembly, church history, church meetings, early Christians, early church, first church, fresh expressions, Greek, Greek city state, Greek New Testament, Greek philosophy, Greek word, house church, I will build my church, Matthew, Matthew 16, messy church, movement, Nashville, Nashville church, New Testament, New Testament quote, one anothers, organic church, Roman Empire, Rome, Salvation Army, simple church | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

How to create community in church

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Steve Simms

When many speak and share in a meeting, community comes forth. Church is called to be community, not an audience. In a traditional church service, there is one person speaking on the platform and everybody else is in the audience … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians:14, 21st Century, ancient ruins, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church community, early Christians, early church, early Salvation Army, East Nashville, ekklesia, how to create community, Isaiah, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville think tank, Nashville tourist attractions, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, Ross Parsley, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Flag, Salvation Army Nashville, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Bold Christian Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr. (For MLK Day)

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Steve Simms

“We need to pledge ourselves anew to the cause of Christ. We must capture the spirit of the early church. Wherever the early Christians went, they made a triumphant witness for Christ. Whether on the village streets or in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Almighty God, Christ, disease of fear, early Christians, early church, evil, fear, God, God is able, gods, Gospel, holiday, holidays, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jr., Martin Luther King Day, MLK Day, MLK quotes, moral foundations, moral laws, moral leaders, moral principles, moral reformer, moral restraints, morality, morals, Nashville, nonconformists, quotation, Quotations, quote, rare form of Christianity, relativism, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Savior, self-worth, sermon, servants, sin, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual movement, spiritual transformation, The Movement | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments