Three Lessons I have Learned from Church History

  Three Lessons I have Learned from Church History

All humans learned from experience and through church history we can learn from others' experience and avoid the same mistakes. Therefore, learning from church history helps me to succeed in my personal spiritual journey, the achievement of our calling and assignment. After all the Holy Spirit is the very key.

First of all, the great guidance from the Holy Spirit led the way of the Gospel to where it should go. Through the obedience to Holy Spirit, the Gospel spread from Jerusalem (Jews) to others (Gentiles) by the leading of Holy Spirit and persecutions in early Church (book of Acts). God is the author of History. He is the only one who has the complete blueprint of the map. Searching out His will, surrender myself and be willing to go is the best way to partner with Him for His work. Although the Gospel has been running swiftly all over the nations, as a laborer of God we still need the Holy Spirit to reveal the plan of our heavenly Father to us on a daily basis (Ephesians 1:17-19).

Secondly, in the church history, I admire the Christianity in the early church. It is the best model for me to learn from them: be bold to speak and standing firm for the truth, to love God and love the body of Christ with all of heart and strength, the unity of churches.... The persecution did not stop the truth but express the truth of God even more explicitly. It doesn't seem like those Martyrs just all of a sudden stand up for the truth. Their focus were as dove eyes on Christ Jesus and it was so essential. What they did in evangelism is base on their life living out from the Bible. It makes me keep searching my heart. It is a very good lesson for me to learn how to live today.

Thirdly, I realize how as a servant of the truth of the Words need to be preached. Although Jesus had warned the disciples about false teaching and false prophets would deceive the body of Christ in the days to come, I never know it has such a mass impact to so many people since then. How much I need the Holy Spirit to test what I have heard, what I have read and what have I agreed with. Without the Holy Spirit, the Words is not revealing God but coming out my own understanding in our human knowledge. I know the day is getting closer everyday and I need to learn how to lean on the Holy Spirit even more.

 Through the church history, I can see a bigger picture of God's character and His thoughts for all humanity who have been called. It is a blue print of His thoughts and I am so glad that I am part of it. Although the day is coming, I know how I can prepare myself on a daily basis through the strength of Holy Spirit.