The First Christian Community in Acts (1:12-5:42) And "Malkia Wa Amani" A Small Christian Community in Mukurukayaba: A Comparative Study
Date
2004
Authors
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
Every Christian community somehow reflects the first community of Acts.
We believe it is also true on the case of "Malkia wa Amani" a small Christian
community in Mukuru-Kayaba. Our main objective in this study is to establish the
biblical foundation of small Christian communities by comparing the first Christian
community in Acts 1:12-5:42 (esp. 2:42-47 and 4:32-5:11) and "Malkia wa Amain".
Another objective would be, for us to be aware that the early Christian community
can serve as an example or a model to any small Christian community today. To
reach these objectives, we will, first of all, identify the characteristics of the first
Christian community, highlighting its positive and negative elements. As we shall
see, the first Christian community being a model community had its own strengths
and weaknesses. Its strength is manifested by praying together, sharing everything in
common, etc. On the other hand, mistrust and misconduct like the fraud of Ananias
and Saphira clearly signify a weakness within the community.
Like the first Christian community, "Malkia wa Amani" too has its own
strengths and weaknesses. Its strength lies on the fact that this community prays
together and also shares the Word of God to each other. Malkia wa Amani has
several weaknesses, one of them being, lack of basic biblical knowledge on the part
of some members.
In this paper, we will start off, in Chapter 1, by writing an overview of the
biblical foundation of small Christian communities taking into consideration the
Christian communities founded by Paul in the New Testament. We will then proceed by identifying and analysing the characteristics of the first Christian community
pointing out its positive and negative elements.
In Chapter II, we will first of all give an overview of the origin and
foundation of small Christian communities, in the world, in AMECEA region and
finally in Kenya. From here we will go down to "Malkia wa Amani," A Small
Christian Community in Mukuru-Kayaba. We will first of all go through its
historical background. After which we will explain its characteristics taking into full
consideration its positive and negative elements. Then we will see how "Malkia wa
Amani can serve as an example for other SCCs today.
In Chapter III, we will do the comparative study itself here we will evaluate
"Malkia wa Amani" in the light of the First Christian Community in Acts ( 1 :12-
5:42). In this Chapter, we will view the similarities and differences between this two
communities. As a pastoral application, we will present how the First Christian
Community in Acts can serve as an example for "Malkia wa Amani" and other
SCCs today.
Before we continue, let us note few words that we are going to encounter
rather frequently below. First, "Malkia wa Amani" are Swahili words meaning
"Queen of Peace." Second, AMECEA, which stands for Association of Member
Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa. Third, AFER, which means African
Ecclesiastical Review. We interchangeably use early Christian community.
Jerusalem community and first Christian community. They all refer to one and the
same community in Acts (1:12-5:52).
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Keywords
Christian Community, Acts, Malkia Wa Amani, Mukuru kayaba