Reading and meditation on Chapter 16 of the Letter to the Romans:
In verses 1 through 16, the apostle Paul conveys greetings to different brothers and sisters—disciples of Christ (you can read these in your own copy or via the online Bible above). As we read these greetings, we understand that the congregations met in private homes: « Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who have risked their own necks for me and to whom not only I but also all the congregations of the nations give thanks. 5 Also greet the congregation that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is a firstfruits of Asia for Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and fellow prisoners, who are men well-known to the apostles and who have been in union with Christ longer than I have » (Romans 16:3-5). In this instance, it was the home of Prisca and Aquila that housed one of the Christian congregations in Rome (if not the entire congregation in Rome).
« Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and to the congregation at her house » (Colossians 4:15). The congregation in Laodicea met in Nympha’s house.
« Paul, a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker, 2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the congregation that is in your house » (Paul’s letter to Philemon, verses 1,2). Philemon made a part of his home available to the Christian congregation for the purpose of holding meetings.
These different biblical quotes show that early Christians did not meet in buildings or temples used exclusively for Christian gatherings. They met in family homes.
“Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them. 18 For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering speech they seduce the hearts of unsuspecting ones. 19 Your obedience has come to the notice of all, and so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise as to what is good, but innocent as to what is evil. 20 For his part, the God who gives peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. May the undeserved kindness of our Lord Jesus be with you” (verses 17-20).
According to the Apostle Paul, division arises when the teaching found in the Bible is challenged. If an individual or a group of people teaches things that go beyond the Good News—or beyond biblical teaching—this creates division:
« Not that there is another good news; but there are certain ones who are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news about the Christ. 8 However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed » (Galatians 1:7-9).
These individuals are motivated by power and self-enrichment; Paul describes them as slaves of their own appetites rather than slaves to Christ. They turn Christianity into a financial enterprise by requiring Christ’s sheep to pay tithes, even though Christ is the end of the Mosaic Law (Romans 10:4). Others employ more subtle methods to enrich themselves or the corporation (often American-based) to which they belong—which they label « God’s organization »—through systems involving the construction and sale of halls of worship.
When Paul writes, « I want you to be wise as to what is good, but innocent as to what is evil », it closely echoes what Jesus Christ expressed differently but with the same meaning: « Look! I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; so prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves » (Matthew 10:16).
“Now to Him who can make you firm according to the good news I declare and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the sacred secret that has been kept in silence for long-lasting times 26 but has now been made manifest and has been made known through the prophetic Scriptures among all the nations according to the command of the everlasting God to promote obedience by faith; 27 to God, who alone is wise, be the glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen” (verses 25-27).
The sacred secret in question is the wisdom of God—the full knowledge of the good news contained in the prophetic Scriptures—with Jesus Christ at its very heart (1 Corinthians 2:7).
The Administration of the Christian Congregation, According to the Bible (Colossians 2:17)
Christ and the apostles give specific instructions for administering the Christian Congregation…
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The chapter-by-chapter commentaries on the Epistle to the Romans will not follow a linear approach (such as a verse-by-verse study); instead, they will focus on key points emerging from the chapter under discussion…
When we read the Letter of James, it is surprising to see the likeness of his way of teaching, with that of his older brother Jesus. He uses many illustrations as Jesus did…
The purpose of the letter of Jude is to warn against the infiltration in the Christian congregation, of individuals with twisted behaviors perverting the spiritual purity required by God and his Son Jesus Christ…
John is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is also the writer one of the Gospel which bears his name and as well as the book of Apocalypse or Revelation…
Peter is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, he also has the name of Simon Peter (Matthew 4:18) and Jesus Christ gave him another name, Cephas (John 1:42). Among the twelve, he was one of the three closest apostles of Jesus Christ: Peter, James and John his brother. These three men saw the transfiguration of Christ (Mark 9:1-10).
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Table of contents of the http://yomelyah.fr/ website
Reading the Bible daily, this table of contents contains informative Bible articles (Please click on the link above to view it)…
Table of languages of more than seventy languages, with six important biblical articles, written in each of these languages…
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