First Century Christians Did What?: My Journey Into Listening to God's Voice and Influencing People's Lives

By Robert A. Villmow

This book was masterfully written to change people's lives and their relationship with God. Throughout the book, the author lays out some simple principles regarding how God can lead you to people – telling you what to say or do in simple one to two-sentence commands. When delivered at the right moment, these can be life-changing. Your adventure will be unique and exciting. Listen to what God has to say when he wants you to reach out and help someone. When that happens, it's exciting to see the results.
Many examples from the author's life show how this journey played out in the real world. You will see the Christian life through the author's eyes as he learns to hear God's voice and then interact with humanity. The Lord will lead him to deal with people of other cultures, races, languages, and religions without training or study. Just follow the Lord's leading and saying what he tells you to say or do. Are you ready for a lifetime of adventure? Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27 (ESV)

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098393953

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First Century Christians Did What?

© 2021 Robert A. Villmow

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-09839-394-6

eBook ISBN: 978-1-09839-395-3

I dedicate this book to my parents, who influenced my life foundations that became the basis for this book.

My mother, Marion Ivalee (Grover) Villmow, demonstrated love and loyalty for God while facing almost three years of cancer. Even when facing death, she showed how the living Christ could still shine in her life. Her spiritual influences affected my life. I remember her praying with us before we went to bed at night. Years later, after she died, I found her old Bible, all marked up with notes and comments. After I became an adult, people still came up to me and told me how my mother influenced their lives. She still served others, even though she was full of pain at the end of her life.

My father, Robert Kenneth Villmow, became both father and mother to five growing children. Even in the most difficult of times, he was there when I needed a helping hand. I can remember him coming to all of my sporting events in high school and his wisdom in making us independent children. For example, he made me work for my college tuition, but he bought my clothes, books, and food to help out. He always pointed out that the final goal was ours, but he gave his help and advice to help us get there. Nothing in the world came without hard work and sacrifice. No matter how difficult life became for him, he never gave up. I learned a lot from him about living on a farm, chores, animals, gardens, and so on. I miss the times he took us camping, fishing, New Year’s Eve playing cards all night, and going out to every ethnic restaurant he could find. Most of all, he taught me to love all humans no matter their background. When I was a kid, I remember black families came to our farm from the city to buy food because my dad treated them the same as everyone else. He told me the color of their skin might be different, but the color of their blood was the same as ours.

Acknowledgments

My wife of forty-six years, Patricia Louise (Husted) Villmow, followed me worldwide, both in good times and bad. Mother of seven children, teacher, wife, principal, church pianist, business partner, and dozens of other hats, she was always at my side through the ups and downs of life. Even when I made the worst mistakes, she was my loyal friend, confidant, and soulmate.

Cory Cummings, a fellow Christian, wrote a nice note to me one day that he thought God had something special for me to do soon. Within a couple of months, this book began to be planted in my soul and resulted from his encouragement. If not for his note, I may never have started this project.

Karl Nelson, a friend, for doing my web page, and the computer work and setup for our tutoring center in China for years. He is a close confidant and trusted friend, and I have valued his advice through the years.

I am one proud father. My seven children: Joshua, Bobby, Micah, Benjamin, Susannah, Missy, and Crystal, I learned spiritual lessons by watching them grow up and become fantastic adults. They are worldwide, being Marines, computer engineers, researchers and developers, teachers, nurses, software developers, and nutritionists. They always help their fellow human beings in need.

Robert McDonough, a close friend, who advised changing some of my Americanisms to broader international English so those down under could understand what I am saying.

The staff and workers of Book Baby who brought my dream to fruition.

Reference Materials

Bible Quotes

All quotes from the Bible are from the English Standard Version, ESV Bible. Crossway, 2001, www.esv.org/ Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com

Internet Sources

First- or second-century quotes came from the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia in English. The United States, 2002.

Https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm New Advent. Web archive.

Words from Songs

Beautiful Savior, Author: Munsterisch Gesangbuch, Munster (1677),

Translator: Joseph A. Seiss (1823-1904)

History of First-Century Christian Writers

These first- and early second-century writers support the main points about the practices of the early believers; the Apostolic Fathers write about how early Christians helped others. Some personally knew the original twelve apostles and learned from them.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

(115 AD) The letters of the Christian bishop Saint Ignatius of Antioch are an essential source of knowledge about the early church. Ignatius was overseer (bishop) of the Christians of Antioch in Syria during one of the persecutions that broke out while Trajan was emperor. At Ignatius’s arrest, he refused to acknowledge the official gods. Since he was not a Roman citizen, he was sent to Rome to die in the arena. The soldiers with whom Ignatius traveled to Rome allowed him to visit some Christian communities along the way. Before he died, the letters he sent to these groups reveal many of Christianity’s ideals in the early second century.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Antioch

Saint Polycarp

(69 –155 AD) Polycarp was a Christian bishop of Smyrna. According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned on a stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. Polycarp is considered a saint and church father in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. His name means much fruit in Greek. The Apostle John had ordained him as a bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp is one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarp

Saint Clement (Pope Clement I)

(Died 99 AD) Clement is listed by Irenaeus and Tertullian as Bishop of Rome, holding office from 88 AD to his death in 99 AD. According to tradition, Emperor Trajan imprisoned Clement; Clement led a ministry among fellow prisoners during this time. After that, he was executed by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea. Clement is considered a patron saint of mariners. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Clement_I

The Didache

(Approximately 100AD) The Didache is considered part of the group of second-generation Christian writings known as the Apostolic Fathers. Some Church Fathers considered the Didache part of the New Testament, while others rejected it as non-canonical. In the end, it is not part of the New Testament canon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didache

Table of Contents

Introduction: My Life and this Book

Chapter 1:What Would You Do?

Chapter 2: Let Your Light Shine

Chapter 3: It’s Not Your Job

Chapter 4: The Foundation