A Biblically Sound Church – Origins
2 minute read
If you’ve read A Biblically Sound Church – Called Out Ones you’ll see the biblical basis for who is considered part of the church. But when did the church actually begin? Let’s turn to the book of Acts for the answers
Beginnings of the church
Take some time to read Acts 2 to see what we can learn about the beginning of the church:
- began on the Day of Pentecost (v1)
- began in a house (v2)
- the Holy Spirit was present (v4)
- the first converts were Jews who understood all that they heard (vv8-11) [We read later in Acts 10:34-48 that a similar experience occurred for the Gentiles]
- the Apostle Peter preached about Israel’s history; Jesus’ first and second coming; repentance and baptism (vv14-36)
- hearers were spiritually pierced to the heart (v37)
- new believers were baptised and 3000 souls were saved in one day (v41)
- the church was devoted to teaching, fellowship, communion and prayer (v42)
- there was a sense of awe (v43)
- but there were still those who mocked (v13)
Then and Now
Is this what we are seeing church today?
A church devoted to teaching, communion, fellowship, prayer, evangelism and baptisms. A church comprised of believers, where the Holy Spirit is at work, where Christ and repentance are preached.
The Holy Spirit is a key part of the church today because He indwells every believer (Romans 8:9). Not only is He another Helper that Jesus promised (John 14:16) but He brings both conviction and salvation (1 Ths 1:5), enabling us to remember what Christ taught (John 14:26).
Yet sadly churches have added or subtracted from what we saw in the early church. They had done so to draw a crowd, or because they want to soften the Gospel to make it more attractive to unbelievers. Also have you noticed a change in terminology these days? Instead of ‘church’ we often hear ‘faith community’, or ‘a place where we do life together’. Despite efforts to make church more palatable, the world continues to mock. If we are going to be subject to the mocking of the world, then why not do our best to maintain the true Biblically based nature of our faith and why we meet together.
But how is a church to be properly led? Read A Biblically Sound Church – Leadership
