Five Early Churches

Our churches face all kinds of circumstances. Let's look at five early churches, each with a unique challenge. What was life like for churches just coming out of idolatry and letter of the law legalism? Let's look at a church facing the dilemma of the letter versus the spirit of the law in Galatia. Let's look at a church learning that our foundation is the apostles and prophets, with Jesus the cornerstone. That foundation defines what are the essentials of our faith. Anything else is a non-essential doctrine. That church was in Ephesus. Let's look at a church learning to be steadfast and joyful in Christ Jesus. That church was in Philippi. Let's look at a reminder of what is the perfect bond of unity, lives touched by Christ's liberating love. That message was to the saints in Colossae. Imagine a church of joy and peace looking forward to the return of Christ. That would be the young church in Thessalonica.