Category Archives: early church

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 →

Posted in $50 billlion in office supplies stolen every year, early Christianity, early Christians, early church, ekklesia | 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 →

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

Home again? Home again ecclesiology!

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Steve Simms

“Ecclesiology” is a big sounding word. It also has a really big sounding definition: “theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian Church.” However, Christianity didn’t begin as formal church (needing an academic course of study), tightly … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, alternative Christianity, alternative church, assembly of God, church history, early church, Henry Hon, house church, lost and restored, lost word of the Bible, New Testament church, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose From House To House, rethink church, rethinking church, simple church, theologians, theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How many sermons does it take to make a person pure?

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers are called to be pure and holy! That’s not easy to do when seductive media is so readily accessible and overflowing with negativity, disrespect, vulgarity, adultery, nudity, profanity, and worse. Have all the sermons that we have heard (and … Continue reading →

Posted in church, church fathers, church government, city council meeting, early church, ekklesia, evangelism, God's government, government, on earth as it is in heaven, Origen, religion, spiritual formation, spiritual transformation, testimonies, Thom Schultz, transformation, Uncategorized, Walk by the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s “Flag Down” Another Pentecost!

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Steve Simms

Flagging down the Pentecostal Fire! –God’s fire fell on Pentecost and the early Christians stormed the world with passion for the living, resurrected Jesus Christ! –Salvation Army founder, William Booth, sang in the late 1800s: “Send the fire! Look down … Continue reading →

Posted in 3000 people saved, Acts 2, Azusa Street, boredom in church, camp fire, Catherine Booth, early church, first Pentecost, great awakening, Pentecost Sunday, Pentecostalism, Salvation Army, Send the fire, song, spiritual awakening, We want another Pentecost, wildfire, William Booth, William Seymour | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A.D. — The Fire of First Christianity

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

NBC has a new miniseries called A.D. The Bible Continues.  It is based on the first 10 chapters of the book of Acts; the story of the first Christ-followers and their faith, passion, and sacrifice. I saw the first episode … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts of the Apostles, book of Acts, early Christianity, early church, entertainment, first Christians, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, TV | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Church: Do minds wander or are people filled with awestruck wonder?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Steve Simms

When a church meeting is allowed to freely flow in the unforced rhythm of the Spirit — amazing things happen! When we call the shots — not so much. –Perhaps instead of making people’s minds wander, church should fill them … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st Century church, Alvin L. Reid, amazement, book of Acts, early church, everyone was filled with awe, formal religion, Malcolm McDow, Nashville, Quotes, rhythm of the Spirit, TN, wander-lust, who calls the shots | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Petition 4 Holy-Spirit-Led Intuition! (Let’s Re-Intuitionize Church Meetings!)

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Steve Simms

Should We Re-Intuitionize Church Meetings? –Jesus established the church on Spirit-intuition. When Peter recognized Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah), Jesus said: “This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” And Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in as many as are led by the Spirit, Bible quotations, Dean Koontz, early church, hearers only, Matthew 16:18, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic church, seeker sensitive church, simple church, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments