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[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.]
Jerusalem is where the church began. It was no accident that the first Gospel sermon was preached there, resulting in its establishment (Isa. 2:2–4; Luke 24:47). The early chapters of Acts tell us most of what we know about the first church of Christ.
- It was a church without distinctions. It was composed of people of all spiritual levels, from Jesus’ murderers to His apostles. There were wealthy land-owners and widows in abject poverty. There were Palestinian Jews and Hellenistic Jews. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), neither must we be (Jam. 2:1–4). We are out of step with Christ if we let race, wealth, education, et al. effect our treatment of others.
- It was a church of manifold unity. They were united in spirit. When a complaint arose it was immediately dealt with and not allowed to cause schism (Acts 6:1–6). They were of one accord, one heart and soul. They were united in one place (Acts 2:44, 46). They were united in prayer (2:42; 4:24). They were united in their doctrine and practice (2:42). They had all been saved and added to the church alike (2:38, 41). They all worshiped alike (2:42). Jesus’ church can always be recognized by its worship.
- It was a compassionate Many members sold their possessions to help others (Acts 2:44; 4:34). Widows received daily help (Acts 6:1). Jesus’ church will not be indifferent to the needs of others.
- It was a tried The Sanhedrin Court arrested various apostles three times, forbidding them to preach. Stephen was stoned to death for preaching, then a great persecution arose, driving all but the apostles from Jerusalem. Later Herod killed James and imprisoned Peter. The church was made stronger by it.
- It was a large The first day it had about 3000 members (Acts 2:41), then the number of men grew to about 5000 (4:4). It was called a multitude next, which first multiplied (v.32), then multiplied exceedingly (5:14; 6:7).
- It was an evangelistic church (Acts 5:28), which at least partly explains why it was so large. A church will always grow when it fills its city with the Gospel. It cannot do so without it.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in the Julyt 12, 1976, edition of Granbury Gospel, weekly bulletin of the Church of Christ, Granbury, Texas, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
