"Necessities for a Healthy Church"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article # 27 – “Necessities for a Healthy Church”

            What were some of the characteristics of the first church?  “And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)   There are four points brought out in this verse; the first is that of continual devotion to the apostles teaching.  Notice that it was not done in passing or occasionally, but continually.  The church today could probably be described as seldom studying the apostles’ teachings.  The church, in order to be effective for God, must study the Bible with regularity in order to be prepared to carry out His will.

            The second point is that they were continually devoted to fellowship.  It is essential for us to have close fellowship with other believers.  The Bible teaches us to share our love, our joys, our burdens, and to encourage one another.  “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24, 25)  In order for us to grow spiritually, and to sustain our walk with the Lord, we must have a close fellowship with other Christians.

            The third point shows, they continually were breaking bread together in celebration of the Lord’s Supper.  This communion celebration was a constant practice for them in memory of the sacrifice of our Lord.  They celebrated this, not in the temple, but from house to house as this was strictly a celebration for believers only.

            They were also, continually devoted to prayer.  Prayer is of the utmost importance in the life of the individual and to the church as a whole.  It is an integral part of the spirituality of a believer.  It is through prayer that we can have God’s peace in all circumstances that confront us.  The Scripture refers continually to the apostles’ praying for others and requesting prayers for themselves in carrying on God’s work.  We have a direct hot-line to heaven and we must use it on a regular basis, remembering that there is nothing too great for the power of God and nothing too small for His fatherly care.  The apostle Paul states “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

            There are other features of the early church which will be discussed later.  The qualities illustrated here are examples which the church today should be continually devoted to following.  The four examples again are: study, fellowship, communion, and prayer.  If the church is not practicing these essentials on a regular basis it will not function properly, it will not die, but could become very ill.  As John described the Lord as saying of the church of Laodicea; “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev.3:16)

            You too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish