Chapter 3 reminds me of words found in Acts 4:32-35: “The community of believers was of ONE heart and mind and NO ONE claimed that any of his / hers possessions was their own, but they held EVERYTHING in common. With GREAT POWER the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and GREAT FAVOR was accorded them all. There was NO needy person among them, those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.”

There was TRUE LOVE among them all. We read in Acts that great numbers were added to them. Many witnessed the sense of community and vibrant love of that early Church and were drawn to it! The early Church was a community of forgiveness and reconciliation. They were famous for their hospitality to the poor and the suffering. They were inclusive. The early Church was multi-racial and experienced an authentic UNITY across ethnic boundaries that was startling.

It was because the early Church did NOT fit in with its surrounding culture, but rather challenged it IN LOVE, that Christianity eventually had such an effect on it.

Is this possible today? Does this exist today? If so, where? This is definitely how it was meant to be. How can we and how do we contribute to making this a reality 21 centuries later?