Read the text here: Acts 19:1-22.
The focus of the story now moves to Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus. His work begins by giving additional instruction to disciples of Apollos who have been baptized and yet have not received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once he discovers they have not heard of baptism in the name of Jesus, he baptizes them again and lays hands on them. The believers receive the Holy Spirit in a similar manner as that of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2) and also the experience in Caesarea (with Peter and the household of Cornelius, Acts 10:44-48). As the story of Acts unfolds we see the Holy Spirit breaks down boundaries as the gospel spreads out from Jerusalem and Judea into the Gentile world.
Paul continues to teach those who had begun their journey of faith under Apollos. Here again, as in Acts 9:2 we find those early followers being referred to as People of the Way.
I find something compelling in this image of Christianity. There are some groups who see the faith as a one time event, or merely an intellectual assent to a certain set of religious beliefs. But to be People of the Way points to faith as a journey and not a one time event.
As People of the Way we see the Christian faith as an alternative way of being in the world. It can offer a well-needed humility; rather than declaring to have all the answers. Congregations become open communities, including people who are just dipping their toes into this whole “church thing,” individuals who have more questions than answers, and those who embody a deep and profound faith.
How would our churches be organized differently if we took seriously this image of Christians being on The Way?
In what ways could we invite people to walk along on The Way?
Would this image change how we understand who’s in and who’s out of the church?
Would church membership be a thing of the past? Or would it function differently? (see Rocking the Church Membership Boat, by Jan G. Linn and his concept of covenant membership or church membership as a spiritual discipline.)
