CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARLY CHURCH

“Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders  and signs were done through the apostles” (Acts 2:43).

When the apostles lost their fear, they were filled with peace and courage. Only then, did they receive the Holy Spirit. During a single sermon by Peter, three thousand people were converted and decided to be baptized. Thus, was the apostolic church born. The disciples were faithful and determined in their actions. They were in communion with each other. The Greek word for “communion” is koinonia, which means association, participation, sharing, contributing for reasons of charity or mutual aid. * The members of the new church ate together and prayed together frequently, both in public and in private. Only families with these characteristics can form strong churches.

The new church was also a reverent church. Whenever God’s power is perceived, the human response is a reverent fear. Wonders and signs followed this manifestation. the city of Jerusalem had experienced many changes in a short time due to the proclamation of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. After the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, the disciples proclaimed His appearance and ascension fearlessly. This produced a rapid increase in believers. The reverence and respect for God that they presented, should be outstanding characteristics of the remnant church.

Every revival is followed by reform. The first Christians sold their possessions and shared resources with other believers, each according to their needs. Some scholars explain that the reason for this decision was the rapid growth of the church. After the conversion of the three thousand new believers, who had come from far away communities for the religious festival, most of them stayed in Jerusalem, and they had no work and no place to live. It was a temporary decision, and there is no evidence that it continued for long. Later, the church in Jerusalem depended on the financial aid from churches made up of Gentiles who had recently converted to Christianity. It was also a voluntary decision: each one gave what they wanted to. Hospitality was a Jewish custom, and on this occasion, it intensified.

Let’s imitate the perseverance and the unity of the early church in our worship and praise. These characteristics led to an increase in numbers, geographical expansion, and spiritual growth.

If the church today follows this model, it will obtain the same results. A healthy church is a community that grows in number and in quality.

*Blue Letter Bible, Lexicon: Strong’s G2842-koinōmia, at https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2842/kjv/tr0-1/,consulted in March, 2022

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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Esteban Cortes