Community

Community is a concept we use to describe the body of people. Where do their values and intentions lie? What is their purpose? How do they live? The Bible gives us a solid indication of where communities lie before God enters and after he's made his mark.

In Acts 2, we see God stirring up the Jewish community living in Jerusalem, when the Holy Spirit comes upon the apostles as promised by Jesus. This is the installment of the first Christian church, and thus it is a new concept to the community of that area. The apostles begin speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit baptizes them, but the Jews assume these men are simply drunk. But when Peter explains to these people what has happened through Christ's death on the cross, movement is created and thousands begin to flock towards this new "community" of sorts. And the community continues to grow as God provides fuel for the fire, through the miraculous signs and loving fellowship the people feel. This is how the first Church was built. No building, just real people with real love, and a real God.

In Acts 17, we see Paul's attempts to build Christian community in other cities. The first stop they make in this chapter is in Thessalonica. They have little success here, causing a riot to start over their claims and eventually being thrown out of the town. They convert a few Jews and God-fearing Greeks, but are unsuccessful in building a firm community of believers because the Jews in this area are not willing to hear out Paul's beliefs.
However, as Paul and Silas move to Berea, they have great success. The Bereans receive the message and begin to study the scriptures daily. Paul is able to catalyze this community by teaching and training the indigenous people to build a solid body of believers, a church. The Thessalonians follow Paul to Berea, though, stirring up trouble amongst the new believers in hopes of thwarting their efforts.
Paul later moves to Athens, a city full of idols, and wild philosophies. The difference we see in this community is that, the people are not as hardened to Paul's news, but they are not accepting of them either. The people of Athens are deep thinkers, many involved in Epicurean and Stoic Philosphy. Some choose not to listen to Paul's news, but some are intrigued and inquire more about the concept.

In John 13, we see some significant actions taken by Christ. Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, something unheard of in this society. By Jesus humbling himself to someone of lower class, he shows how we must love one another and be humble in heart. Lessons like these from Jesus were alarming to many people because they defied social norms, but this was the community Jesus set out to create, a community of love.

These passages from Scripture show us lot about how community is developed among believers when Jesus is placed at the heart. Most of the original communities were shaken by the gospel, but in a way only God could produce. We see communities turning from idol worship, selfishness, deceit, and slander, to love, hope and faith.
This is true today as well. Our culture today is just as initially unaccepting of the Gospel as the people of Thessalonica and Athens once were, but have new reasons for why we don't believe, such as our technology, pop culture, or science.
That being said, the same idea of catalytic community building is also still true today. It takes bold people who move for Christ, but communities can still be built that radically change lifestyles and save the broken.

Times have changed but the patterns of man are consistent still. Communities are still cold towards the gospel, but when it finally does reach them, it starts an awesome movement.