Give Thanks, Part 1

Give Thanks

In the 1st Century Church, there was an expected behavior for the believer.

We see three different places (two written by Paul and one by Peter) where the early church was given instruction of how to conduct their lives. They are similar in their instruction. It tells us that there was a common core of Christian teaching that was expected for the early church.

1 Thessalonians 5:14–22 ESV

14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

This means that Paul, Peter and others considered this teaching to be fundamental for new Christians in any church as they determined how they defined their lives and conduct. Alone they seem like a random collection of moral teachings, but when we study them together we understand that they set forth an outline of teaching and expectations set up by the first century church.