Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jan/83

Contributor - Rev. Cor G. Bons

Title - Editorial

Topic - Editorial

We live in a difficult time, politically, economically, socially and spiritually. You can look at this time and the reasons for it from different angles. Some one will say that mankind has brought this situation upon itself by living and spending the way we have been doing over the last few decades. Some one else will say that God is telling us something and calling us to repentance. I have heard people say that the power of evil is doing this to us. You may have your own opinion and a different one at that.

At the beginning of a New Year, I would like to remind you of the early beginnings of the Christian church. The Book of Acts gives us a remarkable account of the early history of Christianity. In Chapter I 1, we see how the Christians of Jerusalem fled all over the then-known world. A prominent man like Philip went to a city of Samaria. You know what he did? He began to proclaim Christ in that place. Chapter 8:4 - 40 describes his evangelistic efforts. Saul, later known as Paul, went to Damascus to continue the persecution of Christians. But he met Christ and was converted to Christianity according to Chapter 19:1-30. Peter went here and there among them all and Chapter 9:32 - 11:18 describes his missionary work.

Those who were scattered, travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. Chapter II: 1 9 - 20 tells us about the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ in Antioch which then became the new center of gravity for Christianity.

You see what happened? Difficulties, dangers and sufferings for the Christian Church in Jerusalem caused that church to begin a new life somewhere else, in the city of Antioch which in those days had become the third most important city of the Roman world. Rome came first, then Alexandria and last, but not least, Antioch. it was an important center of commerce with a mixture of cultures, also containing a large Jewish colony. Indeed, the center of gravity passed from Jerusalem to Antioch. Tradition says that Peter was the first Bishop, and later on such important names as Ignatius the Martyr (100 AD) and John Chrysostom (407 AD), a great preacher and church father, were connected with the Church of Antioch.

Stephen's death started trouble for the mother church in Jerusalem. But Christianity was not destroyed; it was being dispersed. What looked like a tragedy, was indeed the beginning of a victory for the Church of Jesus Christ. The experience of persecution was very painful and frightening, but it turned out to be very fruitful. God is in control. His plan can never be destroyed; it can only be dispersed.

One remarkable thing happened in Antioch. The Christians witnessed and cared, but they did not only care for each other, they also cared for the community around them. "There were some . . . who spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord" (Acts 11:20 - 21).

Outreach and Church Growth got underway in Antioch in spite of, and because of, persecution and difficult times. It got underway with a few daring people, most likely lay-people. It happened when the Christian church moved out of its local pasture and took the fields of the world for its grazing. "And in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called 'Christians'." (Act 11:26)

Eight new RCA congregations have been started in Canada over the past six years because of a few daring men and women. Would that the Lord sent out more of these disciples into the communities of this beautiful country in 1983!

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