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Encounter Messages  /  The Church Did NOT Fall Apart After the Apostles  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 4
David Bercot says the early Christians were precise about loving enemies, loving the brethren, holy living and separation from the world. Tertullian wrote that the pagans themselves said to look at how the Christians love one another. What does that suggest the early Christians assumed being a Christian required?
Another way to ask: The early Christians were exact about love, holy living and staying apart from the world. Even pagans talked about how Christians loved one another. What did these Christians believe being a Christian required?

Direct Answer

They assumed that being a Christian was a way of living. Love and holiness were the points on which they were precise, and even outsiders could see the result.

Support from the Message

- David Bercot says Jesus did not worry about precise theology, and the early church reflected the way He was. - Tertullian told the Romans that they themselves said, "look at how they love one another," even while pagans thought the faith a silly superstition. - When he asked who thinks the world says this about Christians today, he saw no hands go up. - Christians did not go to war, because they loved their enemies. - They would not serve as jailers, because that work involved torture, which they saw as contrary to the teachings of Jesus.

Discussion Follow-up

What would outsiders need to see in your congregation to say the same thing? What is one habit that would have to change?

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