The Way Followed
We are now in blog six of the series titled “This is the Way.” While this series was inspired by a quote from a recent TV series I watched with my children, I have personally delved deeply into studying God’s Word to understand what it means to follow “This is the Way” from a biblical perspective. In contrast to “The Way,” which is mentioned several times in Acts, the term "Christian" appears only three times in the entire New Testament (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16). As I continue my research and this blog series, let me share the references to “The Way” in Acts alone.
“And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” Acts 9:2
“And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Acts 18:26
“But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.” Acts 19:9
“And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.” Acts 19:23
“And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” Acts 22:4
“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:” Acts 24:14
“And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.” Acts 24:22
The early followers of Jesus referred to themselves more in terms of following “The Way” than they did as being Christians. I find this particularly intriguing, especially in light of the times we live in today. How do you define yourself? Personally, I have struggled in recent years to identify as a Christian—not because of any persecution, but because the term "Christian" has come to mean so many different things in today’s culture. Those who spend time with me know that I do not like the term “Christian Worldview.” I would rather define it as a “Biblical Worldview.” The term Christian has become diluted, and through my research, I’ve learned that even the early Church seldom identified as Christians. They identified as followers of “The Way.” Where did they get this from?
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
If this is the identification of the early church, I want to follow this path above all others. I want to identify as a Christ-follower, a follower of “The Way,” the truth, and the life. I want my life to be known for nothing less than following the biblical standards of Jesus, not an adapted version of being a Christian.
“And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” II Peter 2:2
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” Hebrews 10:19-20
THIS IS THE WAY!
Mr. Euler has over 20 years of experience working in Christian Schools, 13 as a Head of School and is currently the Head of School at Word of God Academy, Shreveport, LA., a ministry of Word of God Ministries.
Website www.wogacademy.org
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