Community Life in the Early Church

by Sheldon Juell

Publisher:

Sheldon Juell

, 1999

Overview

The purpose of this book is to examine the pattern of community life that existed in the early church. It suggests how the contemporary church can model this pattern in today’s society. The church must reevaluate how the world sees and responds to her, uniting as one body under the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, in order to once again be effective witnesses in our communities. In order to accomplish this task the church must come together as one, like the “Community of Love,” and function as one (John 17:1–26).

This book focuses on the first century church, particularly the foundation of the church in the first three decades (4 BC to 30 AD). Though there have been great men and women theologians who have written about community, this book utilizes primarily the Word of God to convey the community life of the early church. The world around us is crying for freedom and the church has been gifted by God to take his message of salvation, freedom, healing, deliverance, restoration, reconciliation, and wholeness to our known world. As Sheldon O. Juell argues in Community Life in the Early Church, only a unified church can carry these principles forward.

Logos Bible Software dramatically improves the value of any resource by enabling you to find what you are looking for instantly and with unbelievable precision. As you are reading Community Life in the Early Church, you can easily search and access topics or Scripture references you come across, for example, “Great Commission” or “Matthew 28:19.”

Key Features

• Examines the geographical, historical, cultural, sociological, and economic background in which the early church was established
• Describes the sociological and economic backgrounds of the early church
• Explores the “Community of Love” that exists between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and how this attitude of love should influence our relationship with others

Contents

• The Historical and Cultural Background to the Early Church
• The Sociological and Economic Background to the Early Church
• The Community of Love
• The Community of Love in the New Testament
• Foundations for Community Life
• Prayer and Worship in the Early Church
• Community Life and Commitment
• Leadership in the Early Church
• Community Life and Fellowship
• The Priesthood of All Believers
• Conclusion: Abiding in Community

Top Highlights

“The Jews, unlike the Greeks, did not rely upon human reason in their discovery of God” (Page 11)

“Jerusalem was not blessed with an abundant water supply” (Page 5)

“The rich would give generously to public events and also respond generously to people’s needs in a time of crisis, however, they refused to pay a generous wage to a hired worker.” (Page 20)

“o the Christians it is the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead;” (Page 5)

“A synagogue was to be established wherever there were as many as 10 Jewish men” (Page 12)

Praise for the Print Edition

It is both a complete and concise summary of those primary qualities that made the early church a community of love, power, truth, and faith—altogether, and all together! From essential relationships to ultimate realities, the issues of everything from people to doctrine, are presented combining careful research with a readable style. It is a good handbook on how to think, live, and love like a Christian!

—Jack W. Hayford, Chancellor, The King’s University

As a pastor in Los Angeles, I look about, observe hectic lifestyles, and proceed to ask questions. Questions like, ‘How did we become so disjointed and disconnected?’ ‘How can we be surrounded by millions of people and be so lonely?’ ‘Is it possible to build community in a commuter society?’ If death can be defined as ‘separation,’ then too many die little deaths daily. We deeply need resurrection life and resurrected relationships. Only Jesus can provide both—after all, He is the resurrection and the life. By knowing where to begin, we can then proceed to discover the key truths for reconnecting and re-establishing healthy relationships. This is where Sheldon Juell takes us in his book Community Life in the Early Church.

—Ed Stanton, from the Foreword

Product Details

• Title: Community Life in the Early Church
• Author: Sheldon O. Juell
• Publication Date: 2001
• Pages: 163

About Sheldon Juell

Sheldon Juell began his ministerial and theological training with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in 1988 where he completed the Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Denver, Colorado. A few months later while working on one of YWAM's ships called the MV Good Samaritan he met his wife Ivone in Belem, PA Brazil. In 1990, he and his wife began their theological education at the Full Gospel Bible Institute (Eston College) in Eston, Saskatchewan, where they majored in Pastoral Studies and graduated in May 1993. They both earned a Bachelor of Theology from Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Saskatchewan in May 1994. He and his wife then moved to Belem, PA Brazil, where they were involved in itinerant ministry—teaching in Bible Colleges, preaching in various churches, and planted a church that grew to over 120 members in just 4 months.

In 1998, he earned a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he majored in Greek and New Testament. During these three years, his wife earned a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and also a MA in Christian Counselling. Following graduation, they moved to Pasadena, California where he completed the Master of Theology in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. As part of the requirements for the Th.M. he wrote his thesis entitled “Community Life in the Early Church”, which is also available through Logos Bible Software. He and his wife presently live in Vancouver, BC Canada. Together they own and operate the Door of Hope Counselling Clinic, a professional counselling clinic, which is located in Port Coquitlam.

Sample Pages from Community Life in the Early Church