The church does not have a proper name. Instead, there are numerous descriptions applied to it throughout the New Testament. One of my favorite descriptions is found in Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches when he spoke of “the household of faith” (6:10). The word translated “household” means, “belonging to a house or family, domestic, intimate: belonging to one’s household, related by blood, kindred” (Thayer). This particular verse refers to “professors of the (Christian) faith” (Ibid). All of Christ’s followers comprise the family of God. Paul had the same idea in mind when he wrote to Timothy (1 Timothy 3:14-15).
The actions of the early church are the actions of a sharing family. The nearly three thousand souls who were added to the number shared what they had. Luke reported that they sold their possessions so the money could be given to those in need (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35). Loving family members act when they see other family members in need (1 John 3:17-18).
The Lord’s parable of the judgment depicted him dividing the sheep from the goats. Those bidden to come inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world heard the Master say they fed Him when He was hungry, gave Him drink when He was thirsty, took Him in when He was a stranger, clothed Him when He was naked and visited Him when He was sick and in prison. When they asked when they had ever seen the Lord in those conditions and responded in that way, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:34-40).
The Lord’s church is a caring, sharing family. May God help each Christian to grow in actions intended to show our loving concern for each other. Such concern openly displayed will attract people of the world and open doors of opportunity for us to tell them how to become part of the sharing family of God.
