Category Archives: Church Life

Training Category: Body Life

Today we so often find local churches isolated from one another. The Early Church, however, selflessly supported the work God was doing beyond their local bodies of believers. We can learn from the Early Church’s example of breadth of focus, looking beyond ourselves, having a big picture outlook.

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30)

Lessons to Learn from the Early Church Example of Breadth of Focus

There’s usually someone that has a greater need than you.

This group of believers looked beyond themselves. They were better off materially than the church in Jerusalem and so, despite impending famine, they shared of their resources.

There’s usually something you can do to help.

Notice that the above passage says, “the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help” (Acts 11:29). The amount wasn’t the issue but rather the giving … stepping outside of oneself to help others beyond one’s own little circle.

It’s so easy for us to become inwardly focused in our churches that we forget about the universal, global Church. Let’s ask God to expand our breadth of focus. Each local body is just part of a whole.

The Body Life Ministry Manual helps us reflect on this quality in the Early Church along with three other examples for us to follow.

Training Category: Body Life

If you want to be like the Early Church, then know that it will not be a problem-free existence. They experienced struggles and persecution. It wasn’t easy. So, we need to look at the Early Church’s example of boldness in the face of adversity.

Example in the Book of Acts of the Early Church’s Boldness

While we could pull a number of passages from Acts, here’s one that gives us a good example:

They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. . . . After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. . . . On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. . . . Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:1-31)

From this passage we find …

the source of their boldness: “Lord … enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness”

the means: prayer, the Holy Spirit, and a base of support from one another

Together they went to the One who could empower them to face persecution and hardship with great boldness. Consequently, instead of persecution tearing the Church apart, they grew.

You’ll find some reflection on this quality in the Body Life Ministry Manual along with a look at three other qualities we can use as examples of Body Life in the Early Church.

For More on Persecution:

• Are You Suffering Persecution for Jesus?
• Growth in His Name Came at a Cost

Imagine if we followed the Early Church example of benevolence as recorded in the Book of Acts:

All believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need (Acts 4:32-35)

Two Lessons We Can Learn from the Early Church Example of Benevolence:

1. This kind of benevolent care for one another happened because “all believers were one in heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). Benevolence toward one another grows out of true fellowship.

2. Theirs was not a social gospel making benevolence an end in itself. Rather, “with great power the apostles continued to testify” (Acts 4:33). Truth remained central to their endeavors.

Check out the Body Life Ministry Manual for more reflection on the Early Church’s example of benevolence, as well as three other qualities we too have the potential to experience as we follow God’s design for His Church.

Learn More: The Church’s Purpose to Love People Is Expressed Through Benevolence

Get Resources & Ideas: Resources for Benevolence Ministry

Training Category: Body Life

Do you want to experience similar growth to the Early Church wherein “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47)? If so, then back up a few verses and take note of the Early Church example of balance in Body Life.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

The Early Church Example of Balance Helps Us Know What We Need to Do as a Body

Their expression of love for God and others (Matt. 22:37-40) wasn’t lopsided. It included teaching, fellowship, benevolence, prayer, and worship. They not only put all these strategies in place but were devoted to all these practices. As they functioned accordingly “the Lord added to their number” (Acts 2:47).

Bottom Line: When we are the Church we should be, we will make an eternal impact! God will bring the growth.

Check Out These Ministry Manuals:

The Body Life Ministry Manual will help you further reflect on the Early Church’s Example of balance along with three other ways they demonstrated Body Life.

The Church Purpose Ministry Manual examines each of the above mentioned strategies to which the Early Church was devoted, living out their purpose to love God with all of who they were and to love people.