WHY IT MATTERS //
As members of Revive we are Committed to Jesus and Committed to one another. This commitment (also known as koinonia) is one of the pillars of our ReviveHOMES; It sets a foundation for us to grow and mature in community. Each unique ReviveHOME is a local expression of the same DNA that God has given us as a family of churches. Over the next weeks we will explore together our shared convictions, our identity and the Kingdom mission God has called us to accomplish in unity.
When Revive began God gave our leaders a specific scripture that helped them understand the mission of our movement: Isaiah 61:4. We believe that we are people called to be a part of the work that God is doing on the Earth to “Revive The Way”. The early believers were first called followers of the way, as Jesus himself said “I am the The Way…”. We believe we are called to return (and help others return) to the purity of following Jesus. We also believe that we are a movement to “bring church back home”. This statement carries 3 meanings to us:
To bring church back to its origin; the focus on the basic foundations of faith and practice embraced by the early church.
To bring spiritual health and discipleship back to the family unit and by setting the lonely into spiritual and practical family.
To bring church back to the place of intimacy by gathering in actual homes in a format that cultivates growth and mutual commitment.
WHAT IT’S TALKING ABOUT //
To bring church back to its origin; the focus on the basic foundations of faith and practice embraced by the early church.
What did life look like in the Early church? What did it practically mean for them to be committed to Jesus and committed to one another? In Acts we have a glimpse into the daily life of the believers as house churches were planted and the gospel began to spread to new people groups. The believers commitment to one another was all encompassing addressing more than just spiritual needs. In 1 Corinthians we see the Apostle Paul bringing correction and instruction to a relatively new church in Corinth. Chapter 14 concerns the way they should conduct regular gatherings together in a healthy and orderly way. It also demonstrates a very different structure of gathering than we find in most western church expressions.
Acts 2:42-47 NIV
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
I Corinthians 14:26, 33 NLT
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up… 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.