For some time, our Lord Jesus Christ enjoyed the favour of the Jewish people. Many looked up to Him, expecting that he might restore the throne of David. When He entered Jerusalem, the multitudes streamed before Him, shouting “Hosannah, blessed He who comes in the Name of the Lord!” Shortly thereafter, the same multitudes, instigated by their leaders, screamed for blood, “Crucify Him!” The favour of the people is subject to swift change…

It is remarkable that the Christian Church in Jerusalem goes much the same route. At first this church, too, had favour with all the people. We find this clearly in the text first quoted above. To be sure, this congregation was as much a threat to the Jewish leaders as Christ had been. The preaching that Christ had risen from the dead was as dangerous, if not more, as Christ's own teachings. The Sanhedrin understood quite well, “… the last fraud will be worse than the first” (Matthew 27:64). Therefore the disciples in Jerusalem did not have to expect much good from the side of the Jewish leaders who would immediately oppose the church.

But it appears that initially the people again take a different position than their leaders. The first Christian church receives much sympathy from the people of Jerusalem. Pentecost seems to be quite a success. The congregation had favour with all the people, we read. Sure, there will have been some sceptics among the people, but on the whole the citizens of Jerusalem regard the congregation in a positive, benevolent manner.

“Having favour with all the people,” even a good degree of popularity. This measure of popularity will have cramped the style of the Sanhedrin which could not act as forcefully as it possibly wanted. As in the case with Christ earlier, the Jewish leaders again have to bide their time. They will have to wait until this wave of popular support begins to subside.

Luke mentions this popularity of the congregation when he is writing about the life of the first Christian church. Was it especially the lifestyle of the congregation which the people in Jerusalem admired? It was a very active and caring congregation. The apostles performed miracles of healing and the disciples had all things in common. The congregation exhibited care for others and showed forth the joy of faith in their worship. There was a disarming simplicity and attractive sincerity in the life of the church which appealed to many. The congregation gave a very credible performance; the masses could not help but be impressed.

Everyone knew: this lifestyle was much different from that of the Jewish leaders with their extravagant alms, fancy clothes, and exclusive meals. It is a new and exciting lifestyle, and, indeed, it does find favour with the people. The first Christian church is on its way to becoming and apparent success.

Yes, the people like what they see. The question is, however, do they understand the life of the church? Do they really know the Source of this new life? Do they know that the congregation lives in the power and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit? Do they see the basis of the new life of the church in the peace which has come by the blood of Christ who was crucified and has risen from the dead? For only then will the people understand that all this is not just a passing phenomenon, but the beginning of the lasting growth of the New Testament church! Then they will perceive that God is through the Spirit recreating a new humanity in Christ Jesus! Then they will realize that behind this new life lies the one name of Jesus who lost the favour of the people and now reveals Himself as the cornerstone of this church.

The people must come to recognize these things, otherwise the lifestyle which is now still considered to be appealing will be cast aside as being appalling. For the excitement will soon wear off, and if there is no in-depth appraisal of this new life, the favour of the people will not linger. Popularity is usually a fleeting matter…

We often look only at the outside of things. Something that is new and radically different, full of life and energy and yet simple, is often appealing to us. Especially in times when there is much dissatisfaction with the existing status quo, certain new movements can suddenly become very popular, and drop rather quickly in popularity as well! Movements come and go because they are not really new and do not offer a real solution.

But this congregation has the only solution. For it points back in all things to Christ its Head. It is not just a matter of appreciating a different lifestyle, or not; it is a matter of accepting Jesus as the risen Christ and Lord. That is the preaching which shapes this small and growing church in Jerusalem!

It is on this point that the ways part in Jerusalem. Here the favour of the people disappears, for the masses will not accept Jesus Christ. The Christian church saw initial, rapid growth. But soon it is attacked. The Sanhedrin regains all lost territory. For the outward way of life cannot continue to fascinate, if there is no inward renewal!

We read that a great persecution arose against the Church at Jerusalem. Organized by the Sanhedrin. Supported by the people. On the day that Stephen falls, it becomes very tense in Jerusalem. And the people of Jerusalem do not rise to protect the Christian church. The hierarchy triumphs again; the church is scattered.

That's how it goes. Fleeting popularity. The church may perhaps for a while stand in the favour of all the people, but the church cannot live FROM THIS FAVOUR. It becomes apparent that membership in the church meets with disfavour, even persecution.

But whoever loses the favour of the people for Christ's sake, receives the ongoing grace of God. Where popularity among men is fleeting, His grace is endless toward those who fear Him.

The Church of Christ will never really be “popular.” Sometimes, for whatever reasons, it may have the favour of the people, or be tolerated for a while, and such times are gifts of God to His Church for the glory of His Name. But the church may not build on popular favour; it lives only by the grace of God.