In Quarantine: What We Can Learn from the Early Church

God calls the church for times just like the one we are living in.

I have had the privilege of being a pastor and evangelist for many years. I am used to interacting with crowds of people on a daily basis. Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19), I can no longer host live events or attend church—which has gotten me thinking about what ‘church’ really means.

These thoughts led me to the book of Acts, which tells the story of the early church. In Acts, we read about God working powerfully through followers of Jesus who were being persecuted by rulers and government officials. These believers often had to stay in their homes and have very small, secret meetings in order to worship together.

They felt fear and anxiety amid uncertain and unsettling times—a feeling many of us are familiar with today.

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is not the same as religious persecution in Acts. But we can still learn from how the early church responded to adverse circumstances.

Luke, the author of Acts, says the early believers:

Devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

Although we are prevented from physically being together during this time of crisis, here are several ways we can still ...