Where did Gaius go to Church?

Gaius was a Christian that is mentioned in several of the apostle Paul’s letters. Christians often met in his home. What were the characteristics of that First Century Church that met in the home of Gaius?

The Church was promised by Jesus Christ Himself:

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says, And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades[the grave]shall not prevail against it.

The Church-Kingdom was to come in Jesus’ generation:

Mark 9:1 reads, And He [Jesus] said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.

The Church will never be destroyed:

Looking again at Matthew 16:18 Jesus says, And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  Death would have no power over it to cause it to cease.

It has many names: [The word translated church literally means The Assembly Called out for a Purpose.] Some of those names are:

1. The Way: Luke records in Acts 9:2, and [Saul] asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

2. The Household of God: The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:19, Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

3. The Church of God: Paul writes to the Corinthians in First Corinthians 1:2, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

4. The Church of Christ:Paul tells the Romans in Romans 16:16, Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

5. The Kingdom of God:Luke records in Acts 8:12, But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Its members are called:

1. Saints: It is recorded in Acts 9:32, Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.

2. Priests: The Apostle John tells us in Revelation 1:6, and [Jesus] has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  Peter writes in First Peter 2:9,  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

3. Disciples: It is written in Acts 6:7, Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

4. Citizens: Looking again at Ephesians 2:19, Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

5. Christians: Luke writes in Acts 11:26, And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

The Church is priceless because it cost the blood of Jesus Christ:

Luke tells us in Acts 20:28, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Admission to the church is by Jesus Christ Himself:

Luke records in Acts 2:47, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Paul writes to the Colossians in 1:13, He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

It has its own unique doctrine set by Jesus Christ Himself that must be obeyed to be acceptable to God:

Paul writes in Romans 6:17, But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

You must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God:

Philip tells the Eunuch in Acts 8:37, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

That belief must move you to repent, turn from your sin and turn to God:

Peter tells those in Jerusalem on Pentecost in Acts 2:38, Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

That belief and repentance must move you to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God before all others:

Jesus says in Luke 12:8, "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.

If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and are repenting, turning to God, you will do what those did on the day of Pentecost when the apostle Peter said, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38.

Baptism is unique in that in it the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ Himself is symbolically obeyed:

Paul writes in Romans 6:3-6, Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should [be raised to] walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Then the Lord will add you to His body the church.

Every Christian will do as the first Christians did on the days following Pentecost: Luke tells us in Acts 2:42, And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The first day of the week, Sunday, will become a special day for the Christian.

It is recorded at Acts 20:7, Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

It is written in Hebrews 10:24-25, And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Christians will meet together as they did in the first century for a special purpose:

Luke tells us in Acts 20:7 that the disciples came together to break bread. Paul instructed the Corinthians in First Corinthians 11:23-26, For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

Christians will join their voices together in song to praise God and to encourage and teach one another:

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:19, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Paul tells us in Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The first century Christians were known for their prayers:

Luke records in Acts 12:12, So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

Paul writes in Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

In the first century churches there was preaching and study of God’s Word:

We learn in Acts 20:7, Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight

Paul commends the Bereans in Acts 17:11, These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word [Paul’s preaching] with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

The first century Christians enjoyed one another’s company:

Paul writes in Romans 12:10, Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

The pattern of that first century church is the pattern established by Jesus Himself and His Holy Spirit inspired apostles. If we are to be pleasing to God, we must follow that original pattern.

When you are in Strafford on Sunday or on Wednesday night, we would like for you to come meet with us.  Give us a call at 417-736-2277 for a ride to our services.  We are a friendly bunch.

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