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Characteristics of the Church in Acts: 6 Lessons

Perhaps we can all look at the current state of the African church and be somewhat disappointed because there seems to be a lot of things that are not right. Just how can we clear out this mess? Regardless, I think it’s too soon to ask that question, rather, we must being by asking: where did it all go wrong? And I believe there is no better place to start with that question than in the New Testament era. That is where we see the perfect model of a Church; how God was working and how those believers were conducting their church services. It is there, I believe, we can see a good example of the Church idea, and then we can try to apply those lessons to our modern context. After hovering through that book of Acts, I couldn’t help but be impressed by these qualities of that church age:
 
   1.)   They were filled with the Spirit
This, of course, is the obvious and the very thing that is famous about the book of Acts. However, my fear is that this is often either over-emphasized to mislead or underappreciated to ignorance. That is, some believers over-emphasize being filled with the Spirit until they believe that one who is Spirit-filled is equivalent to a mental patient; one who takes delight in rolling and screaming on the floor while speaking gibberish. On the flip side are those who have dismissed anything to do with this topic. To them, being filled with the Spirit is only for crazy Pentecostals and not for them. Regardless, I want us to take a balanced approach to this; a Biblical approach. That is, the New Testament Church could not do anything apart from the power of the Spirit. That is why they always devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Act 6:40).
 
    2.)   They were a Preaching Church
I once wrote about the decline of preaching among us. It seems we now believe that sinners can somehow be saved and saints be sanctified while being exposed to as little preaching as possible. However, I dare you to look at that Church in the New Testament and be impressed by its great preaching endeavours. Just in the second chapter, after the Holy Spirit descended on them, they started preaching (Act 2:14-40). In the 3rd Chapter, after healing a crippled man, they started preaching again (Act 3:12-26). In the following chapter, it says that “they continued to speak the Word of God with boldness” (Act 4:31). In Acts 6 they vowed not to abandon the ministry of the Word (Act 6:2). In Acts 7, brother Steven also gave us a good preaching session (Act 7:2-53). In the 8th chapter, all those scattered with Philip preached the Word wherever they went (Act 8:4). I can go on and on. In fact, according to my little research, there are about 19 sermons recorded just in the book of Acts.  They believed in the power of the preached Word. I wonder if we can say the same about our modern churchianity.
 
    3.)   They were sending missionaries
Zone into the 13th chapter in Acts and you will find teachers and prophets all fasting and praying so they could send out Barnabas and Paul to the mission field (Act 13:1-3). They believed in the power of the Gospel reaching out to the whole world, through specific individuals that are commissioned by the local Church. This is desperately needed in the modern church. In case we have forgotten dear brothers, this beautiful Gospel that has located me and you is a product of the beautiful feet. That is, someone, somewhere risked his life to bring this message to our ears. Hence the least we can do is to return the favor towards those who are still dead in their trespasses and sins somewhere on the planet. I really wonder why we are so comfortable with just going to church Sunday to Sunday with next to zero interest in equipping each other for going out to the mission field.
 
    4.)   They were caring for the poor
Unlike what we are seeing in the African church, the New Testament church didn’t seek to enrich itself at the expense of the poor masses, instead, they understood that there were lacking members among them and that it was the church’s responsibility to take care of those windows and orphans. How about that for an example?
 
    5.)   They were persecuted
I have often said that the only way to test whether we possess the true Gospel or not is to watch the world’s reaction to our sermons. If what we preach seems to tickle their ears, then we have no idea of what the Gospel is. In fact, nothing concerned me as Church leaders who invite corrupt political leaders to speak in their churches. I mean, how do those two things come together? However, if we take a quick look at the book of Acts, it records believers being arrested, beaten, stoned, chased out of towns and even killed; starting from Peter and John’s public beating all the way to Paul’s trial before King Agrippa. Their message was not a friend of the world. That is the definition of a true church. I wonder what it will take for us to come to that level.
 
    6.)   They were heavenly minded
This is my favourite part about the believers in the New Testament era. That is, they understood that this world is but a lodging place for a short while; a temporal dwelling. Their ultimate hope was the world beyond; where Christ their Lord promised to build them many rooms. I feel sad for some of us believers: the way we are so fixed on the affairs of this world. It’s like we would be disappointed if we were to hear that the good Lord is coming tomorrow? Somehow we have so treasured our earthly goods so much that heaven is no longer our desire. I do know about you, but as for me, I can say with Paul, “I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phi 1:21).
 
These were just glimpses of how the Church conducted itself at the early stages of Christianity. Hence if we are to see a unique Church in the eyes of the world, a Church that is purely reflecting the glory of the Lord Jesus, the book of Acts is where we must look at. It begins with our generation.
 
Sinothi Ncube
 

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