The Exchange hosted by the Melbourne City Adventist Church

The third and fourth century Christians entered into an age of peace from persecution and the church began to develop in structure, in number, and in theology. We will be discussing how doctrine from the past has impacted the church in the present.

The second century Christians had the challenge of connecting with and witnessing to people who held vastly different worldviews How did they face this challenge and what can we learn from them?

Our guest speaker this Saturday is James Tham, the pastor of the Singapore Adventist Community Church. James graduated with a Master of Divinity from Andrews Theological Seminary and will be speaking this Saturday about the history of the Advent movement.

We are finishing our series through the Book of Acts. The closing chapters of this book teach us some important lessons about making it through challenges of Christianity. Come hear about how Paul finishes his journey in the book of Acts.

When Paul was in Athens, he shared a Christ-centred worldview that challenged the Greco-Roman worldviews of epicureanism, stoicism, and paganism. What was his message, and is it still relevant in today’s world? And do all religious journeys lead to the same end?

An imprisoned man forgoes a chance to escape to save the life of a prison guard. A tortured man dies to save the life of his torturer. A prisoner of war releases his worst abuser from punishment. Why did these individuals choose self-sacrifice over justice, retribution, or self-preservation?

The early church experienced persecution. Instead of it leading to fear, it led to deeper fidelity. What was the common denominator that made the early Christian believers bold in their witness of Christ?

Is love biochemistry at its best, a psychosomatic delusion, or a philosophical commitment? What is love in a Christ-centred worldview, and how can it last?

What was the greatest impetus for growth in the infant church? Persecution. This Saturday we will be looking at how the early church overcame persecution by experiencing God through prayer.

“I like God but not religion,” people often say. Is organised religion a necessary evil? Why and how did the early Christians organise themselves into a church? What were the results?

As part of our ongoing series on the History of Christianity, we will be looking at what took place in Acts Chapter Two and why the events that took place led to massive growth in the early church. Come join the discussion on what it means to experience spiritual revival in the present as we look see how God touched the lives of individuals in the past.

Believing in and sharing the story of Jesus in the first century was a dangerous task. What inspired the early Christians to share their stories? And how did that lead to a worldwide movement that became the Christian religion?

Christmas is a time when we reflect on the birth of Jesus, the greatest Gift of all. But Jesus Himself received an extravagant gift that reminds us of the true meaning of giving.

Sometimes prayer can feel a bit one sided and the awkward monologue can feel a bit forced. This Saturday we will talk about the art of listening in prayer.

Understanding, accepting, and adopting a different worldview, especially a Christ-centred one, can be overwhelming. Saul, once an avid persecutor of Christians, is blinded after being confronted with the reality of Jesus. Sometimes, God puts us through the experience of darkness so that we can better hear and share Him in the light.

Learning to trust God is one of the most rewarding and yet challenging lessons to learn. This week we will be discussing what it means to rely on God.

What makes you happy? What brings you down? Is there a "truth" that will make us happy, no matter what the circumstances? Jesus preached a famous sermon on "The Beatitudes" - how do the 8 blessings found there build the foundation for happiness?

Throughout history, religion has been misused for personal agendas. How did King Saul seek to manipulate God? Are we ever in danger of doing the same?

Famous last words. What were the precious last words of three criminals condemned to die? What insights do they shed on the power of our words?

Many people misunderstand and fear certain end-time prophecies in the Bible. For example, the "Mark of the Beast." But what do these symbols really mean? The story of Daniel's three friends in the fiery furnace elucidates the true meaning of "666."

If not money-making, pleasure-seeking, or meaning-chasing, what is the purpose of life? Is there something specific that God desires for each of us, and if so, what is it? Do we have a choice in this "calling"?

Is money really the root of all evil? Does it really provide us with security? Why do we use a financial framework to value human life? Jesus reminds us of money's limitations and the catalytic role money plays to distribute God's blessings. By warning us about greed Jesus gives us a new way to view money.

The famous story of Samson depicts Sam's demise in his haircut. However, the haircut was also his greatest need.

Why is it so difficult to change? What does the Bible mean when it says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17)?

Existentialism has influenced generations of thinkers. This weekend we will be looking at how boundaries that God set up facilitate freedom.