It’s hard not to get excited reading Acts, especially the first few chapters when things were going really well. We already talked about God’s power falling on ALL of them. That in itself is a contrast to the way most believers perceive “church.” If there’s any power, it must reside in the leaders, and anything important that occurs must be inside the church building.
I recently reviewed a church constitution that cited Acts 2.42 as part of their church model. Of course, verse 42 is part of a larger paragraph:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2.42 – 47, ESV, the emphasis above highlights verse 42)
The apostles and growing company of believers were involved in:
- Teaching
- Fellowship
- Breaking of bread – twice (v42, v46) “in their homes”
- Prayers
- Gatherings In the temple
- Gatherings n their homes
- Serious community, sharing money and possessions
- People being saved
- All in the context of power (“Awe came upon every soul as many signs and wonders were being done by the apostles…”)
By contrast, back to this church constitution, here is this church’s idea of replicating the church of Acts 2:
Worship meetings will be conducted weekly for the purposes of evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and worship. (From a church constitution)
No other “meetings” are defined for the purposes above. No Sunday School, no small groups. All these laudable “purposes” – evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, worship – are supposed to happen during a one-hour service on Sunday.
Most of our churches are attempting to do weekly (weakly?) what early believers were doing daily and wondering why they’re not getting any results.
More to follow over the next few days!
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13.34, 35, NIV)