The Character of the Church

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."
(Acts 2:42-7)

This passage from Acts can give us some guidance on what it means to be the Church. Several aspects are important.

1. THE WORD They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching, and today, this teaching is preserved for us in Scripture. Therefore, still today, we are called to devote ourselves to the reading and proclamation of Scripture in our lives and in worship. Do we know the importance of Scripture in our lives? Do we read it and discuss it at home and at church?
2. THE SACRAMENTS The sacraments for us, as Presbyterians include baptism and the Lords Supper. In verse 41, 3000 people were just initiated into the church by a series of baptisms, and so the priority and importance of baptism for the life of the church is highlighted. Then, we read that they, the newly baptized, devoted themselves to the breaking of bread, or to the Lords Supper. The celebration of baptism and the Lords Supper are at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. Is baptism lifted up and are we connected to our baptisms in worship? How often and in what manner and state of mind do we celebrate the Lords Supper?
3. PRAYER They devoted themselves to prayer. Prayer is foundational to our personal lives of faith and to the life of faith of the church. It is in prayer that we communicate with God, that we are reached by God and that we are in relationship with God. Is prayer foundational in our lives and in our worship? Do we pray?
4. MIRACLES Awe came upon them because of the signs and wanders the Apostles were doing. Do we even believe in signs and wanders today let alone see them? Do we not see them because we do not believe? Where God is at work, signs and wanders happen.
5. UNITY They were together. They were united in the gospel and in Christ. They did not have the time, energy or freedom to be caught up in all of the petty things that separate us as Christians today. Spreading the good news with a focus on Christ consumed them and all things that hindered the spread of the gospel were abandoned. Are we united, or divided by so many little things, as a church today? Are we united in Jesus Christ?
6. STEWARDSHIP They had all things in common and gave to all who were in need. They even sold their own property to provide for the needs of others. The early church was marked by radical stewardship. Are we even marked by ho-hum stewardship? Do we trust God enough to give? How does our church give?
7. CHURCH They spent time at the temple. They came to church even at the risk of persecution and death! Do we understand the importance of meeting together for worship and other activities? Do we ever put aside our plans or put ourselves out to come to church?
8. PRAISE They praised God. They knew the wonderful gifts God had given them, especially the gift of Gods own Son, Jesus Christ, and they gave praise and glory to God for everything God had done and was doing for them. Do we really pause to consider the many blessings that God has given us and then give praise and glory to God for them personally and in worship?
9. LOVE They had love and goodwill for each other. In fact, they had love for everyone, believer and non-believer so that the Christians were known by their love for others. Do we really love our brothers and sisters in the church and outside of it? Are we known for our love?
10. EVANGELISM The Lord added to their number. Increasing the number of believers is the Lords work. They did not have to go out and save people, the people who saw them acting this way were struck to the quick. The people who saw them, wanted what they had. Do other people see our church and our lives of faith as distinctly different from what is seen in the world? Is our church growing or dying?

A wise man or woman once said that sometimes we cant see the forest for the trees, meaning that sometimes we are so busy looking for the forest, that we cant see its trees all around us. This can be true of the church as well. Sometimes we can forget what it means to be the church because we are trying so hard to do church. This passage is a reminder about the basics of being the church, and we believe that any church that does these things and makes them its focus will be successful because the Lord will bless it. Take a few moments after reading this article and consider how well we as a church do these 10 things and then ask yourself how we, and you, might improve.