Philippians 4:7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
To “Make Heaven Crowded” requires Christians to have a personal relationship with Christ Our Savior and to voice it to anyone, sharing the Joy, Purpose and Peace this faith journey brings to living. A few weeks ago, I toured the seven early churches in Turkey looking for a lesson on how to better live a Christian life. In the Bible, the Book of Revelation chapter 1 – 3, Jesus Christ gives very clear instructions on how to live our faith in Him. Christ instructed the early believers to live in Him instead of living engulfed by the toxic human culture. Though I studied Revelation over several months in ‘24/’25, I was traveling to these seven locations in Turkey for more understanding. I found it, but not what I had expected.
The early believers had to rely on their personal relationships with Christ Jesus to endure the shunning and persecution of the time. Most people were illiterate, and if they could read, there was no New Testament scripture to study. And there were few written letters from the disciples to guide them. The Christian organized religion did not exist in their time – around 60 AD. They couldn’t even begin to publicly organize for fear of even greater persecution. There were no church buildings! I saw many symbols in believer gathering locations, evidence of the secret gathering places.
After the trip ended, I sifted through my trip journaling and prayed over my reflections of the trip, seeking God’s wisdom. I was able to unpack many unconscious assumptions I held, and hear the Lord’s guidance to Truth. Many early believers were on fire with the Holy Spirit, and they found God’s Peace to be like a shield from the culture. Therefore, they persevered due to God’s great provision.
Here are three ways that early believers used God’s Peace to spread the Good News:
- God knew the Good News would quickly spread by one-to-one word of mouth from western Turkey to all corners of earthly civilization – north, south, east and west. Believers trusted Him and lived in God’s Peace, so the Good News spread. God’s plans are always good and always better than our plans. Let us trust Him more.
- Believers accepted the necessity of secret gatherings to avoid persecution, and the Holy Spirit grew their numbers through individuals witnessing to trusted friends who then became believers. Those new believers were filled with Hope and God’s Peace, and they went to trustworthy friends and shared the Good News. Even in risky one to one moments, many believers knew God’s Peace was with them and they witnessed to others with their personal salvation statements that overcame fear of persecution and gave Hope to others.
- The believers’ fellowship in each location struggled to remain centered on Christ. And though the seven Christian fellowships had various common human weaknesses, some individuals were repentant and the congregation thus survived and grew in numbers. They worshipped and prayed together inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the Lord gave them strength to persevere. In this authentic way, carrying God’s Peace, they kept spreading the Good News.
I have collected more insights from touring the seven early church locations. My insights are woven into the book’s content, especially the Spiritual Pilgrimage experience. During the Christmas holiday, I will add more reflections on the trip to Turkey and Spiritual Pilgrimages and share my thoughts with you!
The early Christians grew in faith by worshipping Christ and by telling others that anyone who believes in Him will have a place in Heaven. For the idol worshippers of this time, believing in Jesus Christ Our Savior was a bewildering belief. But those who listened, they found Hope and they found God’s Peace.
This is the Good News!
Take time this Christmas season to nourish the Truth about life. God wants us to worship Him only. We are His peacemakers when we share the Good News.
May the peace that surpasses all human understanding be with you this Christmas.
Beth Eden Abel, trail name “Spirit”
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