The Radical Hospitality of the Early Church

In the aftermath of the resurrection, the early believers in Jerusalem began to live in a way that shocked their neighbors. The Book of Acts records that "they had everything in common" and "there were no needy persons among them."

More Than a Club

This wasn't just a social club; it was a new kind of family. They broke bread in homes and shared meals with glad and sincere hearts. Their hospitality crossed social and economic boundaries that were usually ironclad in the Roman world.

Power in Community

The strength of the early church wasn't in its buildings (it had none) or its political power, but in its love for one another. This practical care for the poor and the widow was their most powerful argument to the world.

A Challenge to Individualism

In a modern world that often prizes independence and privacy, the early church's model of radical interdependence remains a profound challenge. It asks us: How much of our lives are we truly willing to share?