"PEOPLE OF THE WAY"

Acts 9:2

INTRODUCTION
  1. Today it is common to use terms referring to the people of God such as...
    1. The church of Christ, the church of God - Ro 16:16; 1Co 1:2
    2. The body of Christ, the kingdom of Christ - Ep 1:22,23; Col 1:13
    3. The temple of God, the bride of Christ - 1Co 3:16; Re 19:7-8
  2. But in the early days of the church, they were also known as people of "The Way"...
    1. Saul of Tarsus persecuted those of the Way - Ac 9:2; 22:4
    2. Others spoke evil of the Way - Ac 19:9
    3. At Ephesus there was a riot about the Way - Ac 19:23
    4. Paul confessed to worship God according to the Way - Ac 24:14
    5. 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...?]

  1. THE MEANING OF THE WAY
    1. PROBABLE ORIGIN...
      1. Jesus taught about two ways - Mt 7:13-14
        1. The broad way that leads to destruction
        2. The narrow way that leads to life
      2. Jesus claimed to be the way - Jn 14:6
        1. The way to truth and life
        2. The only way to the Father
        -- It seems likely that Jesus' statements led to the use of "The Way"
    2. POSSIBLE MEANINGS...
      1. Simon J. Kistemaker (BNTC) suggests it refers to:
        1. The teaching of the gospel
        2. The Christian's conduct directed and guided by the gospel
        3. The Christian community in general
      2. W. A. Ewell (ECB) suggests it connotes something of:
        1. The way of salvation - Ac 16:17
        2. The true way of God - Ac 18:25-26
      3. J. B. Polhill (NAC) suggests it reflects an early self- designation of the Jewish Christian community in which they saw themselves as the "true way" within the larger Jewish community - cf. Ac 24:14
      -- It likely referred to following Jesus as "the Way" in both doctrine and life

    [ Here are a few things involved in following Jesus as "the Way"...]

  2. THE WAY OF JESUS
    1. THE WAY TO GOD...
      1. Jesus is the only way to God - Jn 14:6; Mt 11:27
      2. Through Jesus, both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father - Ep 2:18
    2. THE WAY TO TRUTH...
      1. Jesus came to this world to bear witness to the truth - Jn 18:37
      2. He offers the truth that sets us free from the bondage of sin - Jn 8:32-36
      3. The truth that calls us to be renewed in righteousness and holiness - Ep 4:20-24
    3. THE WAY TO LIFE...
      1. Jesus came that we might life more abundantly - Jn 10:10
      2. 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
      3. He offers life beyond this life - Jn 11:25; 1Th 4:13-18
    4. THE WAY OF PRAYER...
      1. Jesus taught us how to pray, to pray diligently and humbly - Lk 11:1-13; 18:1-14
      2. He serves as High Priest, Intercessor, and Advocate as we pray - He 4:14-16; 7:25; 1Jn 2:1
    5. THE WAY OF SERVICE...
      1. Jesus came to serve, and taught His disciples to do likewise - Mt 20:25-28; Jn 13:12-17
      2. Therefore His followers are to serve one another in love - Ga 5:13; 1Pe 4:9
    6. THE WAY OF SUFFERING...
      1. Jesus had to suffer to enter His glory - Lk 24:25-26
      2. He calls us to follow in His steps - 1Pe 2:20-23
      3. Should suffering for Christ come our way, let us be ready! - 1Pe 3:14-17; 4:1-4,14-16
    7. THE WAY TO GLORY...
      1. Jesus will one day be revealed in glory - 2Th 1:10
      2. We too shall be revealed in glory in Him! - 2Th 1:12; Col 3:4
CONCLUSION
  1. We may or may not refer to ourselves as "People Of The Way"...
    1. There are other designations just as scriptural
    2. In some situations, it could be misunderstood as a cult
  2. But we should never stop thinking of Jesus as the Way...
    1. The way to God and glory
    2. The way to truth and life
    3. 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