Communication

Communication

Our internet feed failed this afternoon. Disaster – no communication with our many friends across the pond. Bigger disaster – no email. Whatever did we do without modern technology. What, or more pertinently, how did the world manage without telephones, cars, airplanes, headache pills, and radio or television? Going back a bit further, how did the Apostles manage the job they did with the Gospel without any of these modern conveniences? Perhaps Phillip cheated a bit getting transported away from the Ethiopian eunuch but generally that mode of transport wasn’t available.

As far as I can see, there were roughly three ways to travel – on foot, by horse or other animal – maybe pulled along, or by boat. There were two ways to communicate – by mouth or by letter and either could be by using a third party. There were only two ways to get rid of a headache because medical science was not very good – prayer or natural process, including dying.

Not much really was there. Nothing convenient by our standards. No credit cards – cash only. No microphones to address huge crowds. It was all very simple and ever so slightly primitive. So how on earth did the first church have such an incredible impact? It wasn’t really very much better until the start of the 20th Century, so how did people like the Wesley’s manage to affect the lives of so many people? What about the revivals of the early 20^th century in Wales and Asuza Street – where did their impact come from? Electricity had only just been invented and travel was by ship, train, or horse drawn vehicles – or foot of course.

It strikes me that we have a great deal to learn about making use of our natural resources or maybe it’s not even that. It could be even simpler. Could it be that our forebears had a touch more faith; used prayer as a tool rather than a begging bowl; perhaps they even knew God better than most of us? Maybe their prayers were more effective or maybe they expected their prayers to be answered? Dare I suggest that the saints of old knew their own limitations as well as they knew God’s capabilities?

Certainly life was simpler then – far less complicated in fact. Their faith, I think, was similarly aligned. Their faith was based less on our barter system than on a complete reliance upon God to provide for whatever needs they had. They had no complicated doctrines or theology. Salvation was followed very quickly, if not on the spot, by baptism. Baptism almost always ended up with the newly saved person coming up out of the water speaking in tongues and or prophesying. They didn’t force them through a lengthy indoctrination program, nor did they vet their income for their tithe or other suitability to belong to ‘this church’. There was no string attached to salvation other than baptism after which they were welcomed with great love into the family of God that was their church.

Yet they communicated to individuals,  small groups, and crowds so effectively that what we see as revival, was a way of life for them. They lived up to Jesus command to come before Him as a child. Simple faith, child-like acceptance, and faith born of belief in what was told to them. No questioning like ‘how?’ or ‘why?’ or even ‘why not’? This is the way, this is how – just do it.

I believe they can teach us so much – if only we are prepared to listen.