Grace Blog
Preserving Essentials, Embracing Change
John Stott has written what many have considered to be the best commentary on the book of Acts. In that commentary, he addresses the changes the early church faced. Below is an excerpt from Stott which came through the “Langham Partnership Daily Thought“. The daily excerpts from Stott’s writings are worth subscribing.
When Paul and Barnabas set out into the unknown on the first missionary journey, they found (as Abraham, Joseph and Moses had found before them) that God was with them. That is exactly what they reported on their return (Acts 14:27; 15:12). Indeed, this assurance is indispensable to mission. Change is painful to us all, especially when it affects our cherished buildings and customs, and we should not seek to change merely for the sake of change. Yet true Christian radicalism is open to change. It knows that God has bound himself to his church (promising that he will never leave it) and to this Word (promising that it will never pass away). But God’s church means people not buildings, and God’s Word means Scripture not traditions. So long as these essentials are preserved, the buildings and the traditions can if necessary go. We must not allow them to imprison the living God or to impede his mission in the world (emphasis mine).
Labels: Acts, Change, Early Church, John Stott | posted by TimBrister at 10:30 am | Categories: Acts, Change, Encouragement |
