“About that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.” Acts 19:23

Christianity was originally called “the Way” by the people of first century Palestine. Paul had gone to Damascus to find “any who were of the Way” (Acts 9:2). Testifying both to the crowd in Jerusalem, and later to the governor Felix at his trial, Paul referred to Christ’s followers as “the Way” both in public and in official proceedings (Ac 22:4; 24:14,22). It was many years later that “Christian” replaced “the Way” as the common term for followers of Christ.

That the Early Church was called the Way is more than incidental. People witnessed something extraordinary about their lives–the way they walked, the way they served, the way they built community and shared things in common. It was their lifestyles, i.e. their way of life, the values they espoused, by which they were known. It is the natural product of what Jesus had told his disciples at the conclusion of the Last Supper: “By this all will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35).

When people “accept Jesus” or “get saved”, the first thing churches often do today is invite them to study the Bible. Of course, studying the Bible is important, critical even. But if we are not careful, we are communicating a message that says: the most important thing about being a Christian is to become a good student. To be a good Christian, you have to know the right things. The priority is flipped on its head: if we are not careful, it is what we know, not how we act, that is emphasized.

The effect of this approach is subtle and yet conveys a shift away from our roots. The dynamic Church that arose in humble circumstances but soon leavened and ultimately won over the Roman Empire proliferated not only because they convinced non-believers that its beliefs were true; but because their lives—the way they treated each other, or cared for the poor and downtrodden, or honored their bosses and neighbors in speech and action—brought people under conviction. An example of this is Paul’s instruction to slaves in Tit 2:9,10. By their obedient and diligent service, and “not talking back”, they were to “show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good [making] the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.” The NKJV says “adorn the doctrine of God”, from the Greek word “kosmeo” (eg. cosmetic), meaning that it’s our behavior that beautifies what we believe.

Jesus was not so subtle when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:30-37). When a man is mugged and beaten by thieves on the roadside, the priest and the Levite—those who knew and taught the Bible—couldn’t be bothered to help this dying man. They passed by, unperturbed, taking particular care not to become soiled or dishevelled. Perhaps they had an evening sacrifice to attend to, or were hurrying to lead a Bible study about the prophetic signs of the coming Messiah?

Jesus then magnified the way of the common Samaritan. Only he responded with compassion, pouring oil and wine onto this stranger’s wounds, then hefting the grown man’s bloodied body onto his donkey to bring him to the nearest town where he booked a room in an inn and “took care of him” (v. 34).

Jesus looked for fruit, not perfect scores, in His disciples. This means behavior, not ascent to doctrine, was his paramount concern. He emphasized character, not catechisms. He gave them a model–pointing to Himself as the Way–not an instruction manual. This does not mean Jesus did not affirm the jots and tittles of the Law; but people are not meant to live in the foundation of their homes! True faith is manifest in the rooms of where and how we live.

Call me nostalgic, but something deep inside of me would be thrilled if the people of our generation, too, were brought under the conviction of the Holy Spirit because of being enamored and inspired by the quality of our lives. May our lifestyles, our compassion, our vibrant communities of faith, draw those who are confused, lonely, and lost to join us who are joyfully walking…in God’s Way.

“Now let me show you a way of life that is best of all…” 1 Cor 12:31 NLT