A New Day of Learning: History Unleashed

         Inside   a Church history class, there was a fire that started to spread in me. It’s been a while that I dreamt to be in a Church History class, and finally it came in a sudden. It is important to study and give time in understanding and studying the history of Christianity. It will give us the past presentation on how God works and interfere the life of humanity. Several things that every believer must have known—events in the past that helps us to avoid the traps in the present. I am a young believer in a way that I didn't grasp the whole story of Christianity at first as I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Because of the classes I had this week I learned new things and new information that was expected to be known by me several years ago. I learned that Church fathers like Ignatius and Polycarp was a prominent and important individuals in the Christianity's history who risk their life and sacrifice everything as on what they are believing for. New things I learned, in fact, both Ignatius and Polycarp was a student of John the Apostle. Significant persons was introduced to me, like Trajan an emperor who ruled during their time. He plays important role in the suffering and spreading of the gospel throughout the Roman citizens. To grasp the idea, this week was meant to give me understanding about Christianity's history from time to time.

         Upon living in a community of Bible students and unbelievers outside, it is important to evaluate our own self. Before, all that I know was that I am a Christian—having Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and that ministers were free to bring souls to God. With that principle and insight in mind, I thought that to be a Christian was so easy. I failed to realize that many people died and suffered for what I am now believing only to spread and made me known for it. I realized that I have to be thankful and proud to what they had done. Not only as Christ died for me, but of individuals that sacrifice their life for it. Many years I was blinded by ignorance, but as of now, from time to time, I have to exert effort in knowing what the history promotes. “From a passive believer to an active believer”, in the area of mentality I need to prepare myself from the battle of faith soon I have to encounter. Lots of time wasted for unnecessary activities, I need to invest time in really knowing my identity as a Christian. Through Ignatius and Polycarp's life I was rebuked and reminded that it is important for a person to really have passion and courage to take risk in proclaiming righteousness and truth to others. As others brought us back to God, as a new convert, we need to do it also. Accepting our new identity in Christ Jesus was accompanied with accountability—ensuring others to hear and make decisions for eternity.

            “From passive to active”, I can accomplish it through reading more books and other resources that offer studies and information for Christianity's history. To be active in teaching other believers about history of Christian martyrs. Including topic of Church history for Bible studies and seminars. Lot of things can be done practically, as to attend some upgrade classes offering course for it, as possible stepping into the real place where the events taken. Evangelization and preaching the gospel to others is a must that every believers must take seriously. I have to start from the children I am ministering as of now towards the surrounding community and to all nation. Some would say that it is hard for me to have a dual work as a teacher and a preacher, but to have a heart for others destination this is so easy to be done. There are some instance that I lose confidence and courage to tell others about Christ, however, I have to really face that fear. What I can do was to prepare myself for any debates or argument trough investing in the Bible College and equipping Godly characters. 

         Therefore, history is important for us to consider. It is the dialogue between the past and the present where we are given hints to avoid the trap of the future. Sometimes education was not that given a high value, but at this very point of time, I could say that we need education. Reading is tiring, but if we are really putting love unto it, we could have a wide understanding on the world around us.