Where did they sit? Acts 16

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believes, but it’s power does not end once forgiveness of sins is granted based on the finished work of Jesus Christ.  The dynamite of the Gospel is also demonstrated when an assortment of people are placed in one unified body comprised of many unique members.  The church of Philippi began with 3 converts with their families found in Acts 16.  Take a look at these people and you will quickly realize they could not be more different from one another!  Lydia, a business woman who we might align with the “white collar” business world, a young women who was bound by Satan and exploited by evil men who profited from her fortune telling, and a Roman jailor who had a rough occupation which no doubt gave him an intimidating presence.

So, when the church started, “Where did they sit?”  For present day application think about the chasm between these new Christians and the sudden transformation that was made not only in their relationship with God, but with one another.  I submit it’s not too often people cross such deep divides in society to worship, love and pray for one another, or to rejoice and weep together.

1Corinthians 12:12  “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”

The church is pictured as a body which is one entity collectively, but unique in membership individually.  Each part is just as essential as the rest.  The Philippian church enjoyed a diverse membership of varying degrees of education, culture, economies and roles, but they “sat together” in church.

James 2 rebukes those who discriminate in church by creating divisions based on the afore mentioned categories.

Only the Gospel can truly unify people for God’s glory.  I believe they all sat together in church.