The Deep End

We might wonder if the boldness of the Apostles would find the same reception today that it did in the earliest days of the Church. Imagine a preacher, pastor, evangelist, or Christian elder exhorting new Christians to, “Be a follower of me!” The response would likely be, “What do you mean, ‘Be a follower of you? What about being a follower of Christ?’”

However, the 1st Century Christians were commended for being followers and imitators of their spiritual leaders. The key to this is that the leaders themselves were following Christ, and encouraging their followers to do the same.

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

I Thessalonians 1:6

The philosophy of the world is that times of affliction mean an absence of joy. But the philosophy of the Bible is that Christians who receive the Word of God in times of affliction, and who submit to their spiritual leaders and to the Lord, and who do not forsake faithful attendance at church (Hebrews 10:25), will experience the joy of the Holy Ghost. This joy is not dependent upon circumstances or externals. Instead, it comes from His indwelling presence.

It is all well and good to warn and encourage others about the coming of the Lord, but as the day of His coming approaches, we have a specific command from Scripture to be diligent about assembling together frequently, formally, and faithfully.