A brief exploration of this earliest description of Jesus’ disciples. Acts 9:2

INTRODUCTION

Today it is common to use terms referring to the people of God such as…

But in the early days of the church, they were also known as people of “The Way”

  • Saul of Tarsus persecuted those of the Way – Ac 9:2; 22:4
  • Others spoke evil of the Way – Ac 19:9
  • At Ephesus there was a riot about the Way – Ac 19:23
  • Paul confessed to worship God according to the Way – Ac 24:14
  • Felix the governor gained accurate knowledge about the Way – Ac 24:22

Today the expression “The Way” is rarely used, except by parachurch organizations, individual congregations, and even some cult groups.But what did it mean in the early days of the church…?]

THE MEANING OF THE WAY

PROBABLE ORIGIN…

Jesus taught about two ways – Mt 7:13-14

  • The broad way that leads to destruction
  • The narrow way that leads to life

Jesus claimed to be the way – Jn 14:6

  • The way to truth and life
  • The only way to the Father

It seems likely that Jesus’ statements led to the use of “The Way”, albeit there is an Old Testament dynamic we shall have to explore in a subsequent article.

THE WAY OF JESUS

THE WAY TO GOD…

  • Jesus is the only way to God – Jn 14:6; Mt 11:27
  • Through Jesus, both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father – Ep 2:18

THE WAY TO TRUTH…

  • Jesus came to this world to bear witness to the truth – Jn 18:37
  • He offers the truth that sets us free from the bondage of sin – Jn 8:32-36
  • The truth that calls us to be renewed in righteousness and holiness – Ep 4:20-24

THE WAY TO LIFE…

  • Jesus came that we might life more abundantly – Jn 10:10
  • He offers a life with:
  1. Love, that passes knowledge – Jn 15:10; Ep 3:17-19
  2. Peace, that surpasses understanding – Jn 14:27; 16:13; Php 4:6-7
  3. Joy, that is inexpressible – Jn 15:11; 1Pe 1:8

THE WAY OF PRAYER…

THE WAY OF SERVICE..

THE WAY OF SUFFERING…

THE WAY TO GLORY…

  • Jesus will one day be revealed in glory – 2Th 1:10
  • We too shall be revealed in glory in Him! – 2Th 1:12; Col 3:4

CONCLUSION

We may or may not refer to ourselves as “People Of The Way”. There are other designations just as scriptural. But it is helpful to recognise that this was the first title of the Believers, the disciples of Jesus.

But we should never stop thinking of Jesus as the Way. The way to God and glory. The way to truth and life. The way of prayer, service, and suffering for righteousness’ sake

Indeed, for such things Jesus is and always will be the only Way!  Have you accepted Him as your Way to salvation and eternal life…? – Mt 11:28-30; cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 22:16; Re 2:10