In the first century after the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, traditional Jews and many thousands of Gentiles began to gather together in homes and to follow and practice in the way of Jesus. Slowly their religious practices began to emerge into a new form. The book of Acts tells us they lived in community and shared all things in common. They cared for each other and supported each other. They practiced hospitality and generosity. They sought to love, forgive and accept each other. As this emerging faith spread it became increasingly less Jewish and more and more inclusive. The small home church was the custom of the day until the beginning of the fourth century. All our books of the Bible, as we know it today, were written and collected during this period of the early church, before there was hierarchy, and costly structures and formal doctrines. The creeds came into being near the end this early period.
At the beginning of the 21st century there is an emerging church movement spreading rapidly across the globe that in many ways re-creates the church of the first century. Seekers and searchers and long-time church-attenders are coming together in small groups and forming communities that try to follow in the way of Jesus, practicing hospitality, generosity, healing, love, forgiveness and the commitment to journey together, allowing their lives to be transformed by grace and the Holy Spirit. It is not just about belief, but about transformation and relationship.
The participants of The Way of Grace Fellowship have come together seeking to be in relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and each other. They understand The Way as transforming of their lives and they understand that no one has all the answers and they understand that loving our neighbor is paramount. Next Page
