what the early church sang

“If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, he will disown us. If we are faithless, He will remain faithful for he cannot disown himself”

2 Timothy 2:11-13

 Have you ever wondered what sort of songs or hymns they sang in the early church. Well, here we have it. Apparently, these very words used by Paul were a song sung in worship in the church in Ephesus where Timothy was pastoring. Amazing. What did the early believer’s, believe is reflected in these lyrics at this time. Remember Paul is writing to Timothy and the church to encourage to stand firm in a time of persecution and suffering for the faith. This song is about persecution and martyrdom. It was a present real reality for them and so this song was to encourage them to stand steadfast. “If we died with Him” is referring to literal death. “We will also live with him” That’s a faith declaration that even if we die, we will live with Him. If we endure means if we suffer for Him This song proclaims a powerful faith in the midst of suffering. Its like they are saying come hell or high water we will stand. We are in this to stay.

Some believer’s denied Christ to save their own lives that’s why it says if you disown him, he will disown you. One of the biggest issues in these times was how do you except someone back into the community of faith if they denied Christ when others didn’t and died. They didn’t have much tolerance for those who denied Jesus. Can they even really receive forgiveness and come back. That was a real course of serious debate amongst them. So, this gives us a real insight of what it was really like and what sort of songs they sung. Very sobering indeed. They were very serious indeed about what they believed and about the kingdom of God.