Paul Merideth

The New Testament book of Acts is sometimes called the history book of the church. In it, Luke records the start of the church of Christ on the Pentecost following Jesus’ ascension. The character of the early church is then expressed with the concepts of fellowship, awe, sacrifice, unity, and devotion (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-37). This historical snapshot in the biblical text of the first-century church informs us even today about the timeless nature of the church. Without this connection to history we’re left ill-equipped to navigate the path of faith in the contemporary world. It may seem odd but it’s true, the past teaches us and prepares us to make modern decisions.

There’s just something powerful about history and heritage. It reminds us that we’re not the only ones who have labored for the Lord. In fact, history teaches that we stand upon the shoulders of faithful people who have gone before us and paved the road we now travel.

Every church member has a glorious heritage of faith. There have been a great host of Christians who have lived and labored for the Lord and we stand in line of that great tradition. As the church of Christ we can trace our history all the way back to Pentecost and as we read about the New Testament church we should feel that powerful reminder that we too are serving just as they did, with the same faith and with the same Savior. May we never forget the fact that we are here today with hope because Christ died for us and because of faithful believers throughout the centuries that have passed along that heritage of hope. We should be proud to hold today that same heritage of faith. “And all who believed were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44).

-Paul Merideth  lives in Jeffersontown, KY and is the Preaching and Teaching Minister of the Watterson Trail Church of Christ