When we picture the Early Church, it’s easy to imagine dimly lit catacombs, whispered prayers, and small groups of believers gathering under the threat of persecution. But what stands out more than the danger is the courage. Those first Christians were not afraid to live boldly—not recklessly, but with deep conviction that Christ had truly risen and was worth giving everything for.
The Early Church was never about being trendy or clinging to nostalgia. As James Papandrea shows in The Original Church: What it Meant—and Still Means—to Be a Christian, the first followers of Jesus knew they were part of something living, rooted, and guided by the Holy Spirit. They weren’t frozen in time, but neither were they swept away by passing trends. Their faith was steady—a compass pointing to Christ—anchored in truth and animated by love.
Lessons for Us Today
Most of us aren’t gathering in catacombs or facing lions in an arena. But the Early Church still has plenty to teach us about how to live with courage in a culture that often misunderstands or even rejects the Gospel. Here are a few lessons we can take from their witness:
1. Hold firm to the essentials.
The early Christians faced competing philosophies, false teachers, and cultural pressures. But they didn’t let go of what Christ gave them through the Apostles. They show us that being faithful doesn’t mean resisting every change—it means staying rooted in what never changes: the truth of Jesus Christ and His Church.
2. Live faith in community.
Christianity has always been communal. Whether in small house churches or the hidden catacombs, believers found strength in one another. Books like Claire Russell’s Glimpses of the Church Fathers remind us of the voices who carried the faith forward, showing that we need each other if we’re going to persevere.
3. Witness with your life.
For the early martyrs, faith wasn’t just an inner conviction—it shaped every part of their lives. Michael E. Giesler captures this vividly in his novels Junia, Marcus, and A Grain of Wheat. Through story, he helps us see how ordinary men and women were transformed by grace and lived heroically, even in hidden ways. Their example challenges us to let our daily lives—at work, at home, in friendships—speak of Christ.
Living Boldly in Our Own Time
Living boldly doesn’t necessarily mean grand gestures. It can be as simple as refusing to compromise your values, setting aside time for prayer when life is busy, or loving someone who seems unlovable. The Early Church shows us that holiness is not about being comfortable—it’s about being faithful.
If you want to understand how to live this out today, The Original Church by James Papandrea is the perfect place to start. It’s more than history; it’s a guide for every Christian who wants to stay rooted in Christ while navigating a world that keeps shifting.
The catacombs may be behind us, but the call to live boldly is not. The same Spirit that strengthened the first Christians is at work in us today. Let’s follow their lead, with courage, conviction, and joy.
