The reality of this message in the primitive church could be seen through
the working of powers of the future. People were transformed. The strength
to die inherent in Jesus’ sacrifice led them to heroically accept the way
of martyrdom, and more, it assured them of victory over demonic powers of
wickedness and disease. He who rose to life through the Spirit had a
strength that exploded in an utterly new attitude to life: love to
brothers
and sisters and love to one’s enemy, the divine justice of the coming
kingdom. Through this new spirit, property was abolished in the early
church. Material possessions were handed over to the ambassadors for the
poor of the church. Through the presence and power of the Spirit and
through faith in the Messiah, this band of followers became a brotherhood.
