Are You On The Way Or In The Way?

"The Way" is how Jesus referred to Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 ESV).

Throughout the book of Acts, people who were followers of Jesus were not called Christians but considered "a sect of the Nazarenes" and followers of The Way, or people of The Way (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:5,14, 22). Luke says that Aquila and Priscilla explained to Apollos "the way of God" more fully (Acts 18:26). Peter refers to Christianity as "the way of truth" (2 Peter 2:2). Hebrews says that Jesus' broken body is the "new and living way" for us to enter the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 10:19–20).

The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, was known as Saul, whose sole mission was to arrest those who "belonged to the Way" (Acts 9:2; 22:4 ESV). In Ephesus, Paul met some in the synagogue who "became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way..." (Acts 19:9 ESV). Paul moved the disciples in Ephesus to another location when "some became stubborn and continued in unbelief" and spoke "evil about the Way," which nearly created a riot (Acts 19:8-9, 19:23-41 ESV).

During Paul's trial before Felix (governor of Judea and Samaria), he said, "But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect (means - a strong personal choice), I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets" (Acts 24:14 ESV). Felix knew about the Way (v 22). The Romans considered the Way to be a sect of Judaism rather than a separate religion.

Christianity didn't begin as a religion but rather as a movement, with the Romans classifying it as a sect. Its early followers were Jews based in Jerusalem who didn't necessarily view themselves as Christians but rather as followers of a Jewish sect. The earliest recorded use of the term "Christianity" was by Ignatius of Antioch around 100 AD.

A group of followers settled in the ancient Greek city of Antioch some 10-15 years after the crucifixion of Jesus. Here, the term 'Christian' (meaning follower of Christ) was first used (Acts 11:26). It wasn't a name the followers of Jesus had given themselves, but rather, it was a term applied to them by the people of Antioch. Historians debate whether or not it was used as a derogatory term.

These terms are used in the Bible to describe the developing church as a movement of Jesus Christ. Even today, every Born-Again Christian is part of Jesus' movement. He is our head pastor and leader. When people join His movement, they become the physical expression of what God is like so that the fullness of Jesus can be seen and heard through them.

The early Christians were not just committed to a cultural practice or obligation but lived in complete devotion to the Gospel of Jesus. When a person becomes Born-Again, they commit themselves to being fully devoted followers of the Way found only in Jesus and living out their identity as His Church instead of merely attending church.

Jesus called us to LIVE on The Way to fulfill the Great Commandment so that we may LEARN the way of fellowship with Him and then be sent out by Him to LEAD The Way for others to come to know Him and fulfill the Great Commission.

LUKEWARM LAODICEA

"And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:14-20 ESV)

The city of Laodicea was located around 50 miles southeast of Philadelphia in the Lycus River Valley of western Asia Minor, near the influential, ancient cities of Hierapolis and Colossae. Before the city was named Laodicea, it was called "Diopolis," the "city of Zeus." It was a place of considerable size, trade, and wealth, with theaters and pagan temples. It was on the primary trade route between the cultures of the West and East and became a commercial and banking center. Laodicea was known as a primary hub for the Roman aqueduct system. The water was tepid and unpleasant, but nearby Hierapolis gushed hot thermal springs.