Those who followed Jesus strove to directly live the Agape Love He taught, commanded and modeled in the world around them, in THIS PART of God's Kingdom. They applied this "active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy" (Luke 10:25-37) to EVERY aspect of life together, and it had dramatic consequences. It was a radical thing, because people noticed this kind of love and behavior that they saw nowhere else in the world around them. They responded by joining the community of believers and living that Agape with others around them. They believed in Jesus and His Good News - that following what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled was a better way for the world in which they lived.
They experienced a RADICAL REVELATION of God in the Pentecost experience, which created RADICAL COMMUNITY, not exclusive of nationality or culture or even faith of origin, but inclusive of all present (Acts 2:1-13).
This RADICAL COMMUNITY lived the RADICAL AGAPE LOVE that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, as it was witnessed to them by the Apostles, and it created a RADICAL OWNERSHIP, and SHARING in which they shared ALL THINGS toward their well-being (2:43-47). This led to radical growth in the community, as people responded to the love shown.
This RADICAL COMMUNITY in RADICAL AGAPE LOVE also created a RADICAL SOCIAL REALITY, because they ELIMINATED POVERTY, out of a sense of unity as people with one heart and one soul (4:32-35).
This RADICAL AGAPE LOVE, when shared brought wholeness and completeness, even healing, deliverance and restoration because of the RADICAL AVAILABILITY of ordinary people who were willing to allow the shadow of their lives to fall on the lives of others (5:12-16).
This RADICAL COMMUNITY born of RADICAL AGAPE LOVE was an expression of RADICAL INCLUSION, as even Gentiles, Romans and others came, not just as members of the community, but also welcomed as LEADERS in it (6:1-7). The Good News of Jesus' Agape Love grew in hearts and lives.
This RADICAL COMMUNITY and its RADICAL INCLUSION born of RADICAL AGAPE LOVE also meant that those excluded by the Law of Moses, even on cultural, religious or sexual grounds, were INCLUDED in the community of believers (8:26-40). The Holy Spirit specifically worked that among them.
This RADICAL AGAPE LOVE of Jesus also meant RADICAL TRANSFORMATION of hearts that were opposed to Jesus' Way (Acts 9:1-22), and the RADICAL INCLUSION of those who had formerly been enemies because of a RADICAL ADVOCACY among them (9:26-31).
This RADICAL AGAPE LOVE was lived in RADICAL COMMUNITY that could not let traditions become a stumbling block to their RADICAL UNITY, so God advanced the RADICAL INCLUSION to those whose traditions and even faith practices were different, those who were previously considered enemies (10:9-48).
This RADICAL AGAPE LOVE continued to have a profound effect on the RADICAL COMMUNITY, so that they even reached out to STRANGERS with a RADICAL GENEROSITY and SHARING, to ensure their financial well-being (11:27-29).
The RADICAL ADVOCACY continued as people were given a second chance who may not have done so well at following the first time (15:36-41).
The RADICAL ADVOCACY also meant deliverance of those from both SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL exploitation (16:16-24). This RADICAL LIBERATION meant a loss for the oppressors, but freedom for the oppressed.
The RADICAL ADVOCACY also meant the salvation of many people who had other oppressions, and whose lives were endangered for profit (Chpt. 27).
This is the doctrine of PEOPLE OF THE WAY OF JESUS, to LIVE the AGAPE that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us in every aspect of life in the world - THIS PART of God's Kingdom, here and now!
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