Empire to Kingdom of God (9) Justice

Something else that is very important could begin to happen. In the modern world, the power of governments is weakening and standards of justice are disintegrating, so justice in the state-operated courts is costly, slow, unpredictable and uncertain. People lose all they have fighting to obtain justice.

A couple of the elders in the first church are recognised for their wisdom, so people start taking their disputes to them. Everyone recognises that their justice is honest and effective. An alternative system of justice emerges (J), when these elders are recognised as local judges. Many from outside the church take their cases to these elders because they know they will get a quick and honest resolution to their disputes.