Have you ever wondered why you are not experiencing the same things that the first church did? Such as daily church growth, miracles, prophecy, or any one of the other amazing things we see in the New Testament. Have you wondered why you still struggle to find the joy and hope described by Paul even though you believe in Christ? Or why do you still have trouble understanding the teaching of Scripture when it seemed to make so much sense to early believers? Or even why you worry about death while the first church seemed to face it boldly every day without fear? Sadly the modern church lacks so much of what the early church had.
Acts 16:5 (ESV)
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Acts 4:4 (ESV)
4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Acts 7:59–60 (ESV)
59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
For many reading the scriptures these questions are very common. Because our lives today look so different than those of the members of the early church. Even the way we do church is different than it was for them. As they would meet in homes or the Jewish synagogues. Because they didn’t have dedicated places of worship. But the real reason so many people are yet to experience what those of the first church did is that they haven’t followed the example of the first church.
The simple truth is if you want to experience the same faith, boldness, power, understanding, love, and so on as the first church did you must live as they did. The time we live in is not the reason the modern church looks different. Nor is it because certain things only lasted for a time. It is because too many people want to claim Christianity but attempt to serve God their own way. Failing to understand that there is only one to serve God as defined in His word. If we want to experience all the New Testament describes then we must look for the old godly way and walk in it.
Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
16 Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
The things that took place when the church was in its infancy were not just for that specific time. Paul wrote that certain moves of God would find their end. But the time he was speaking of has still yet to come and will not be until Jesus has returned for His church. God’s power is still available to His people today just as it was then. Sadly many just fail to experience it today as the first church did. Thankfully the first church stands as an example to learn from and follow in our New Testament. Just like the example, we can learn from those who lived in the Old Testament.
1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (ESV)
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies,
they will pass away;
as for tongues, they will cease;
as for knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV)
11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
If you truly want to share in the experiences the first church did such as massive growth, extreme boldness, miracles, healings, and so much more then you must do as they did. But what does that mean? The simple answer is that we must study how they served God and imitate it. What you will quickly see in your study is that they didn’t argue over what they were instructed to do. Instead, they did all God instructed them to do through the Apostles and later the Scripture.
Let’s look at the issue of Baptism. Many today want to argue over the necessity of Baptism. Many refuse to be baptized because they don’t believe it is important. Yet, that is not what we see within the pages of our Bibles. Instead what you will find is individuals in every account of conversion willingly being baptized. Submitting to the instructions not of man but of the Lord himself. Even if they may not have understood why.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 2:41 (ESV)
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 8:12 (ESV)
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 9:17 (ESV)
17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
What Christians today must understand is that faith isn’t all about understanding but about obedience. Often we wonder why God isn’t moving in our lives and it is because we have yet to be obedient to His word. If you want to experience all that God describes in His word then you have to live out His word fully. Otherwise, how can you expect to receive anything from Him? Especially when all you have done is ignore even the simplest teaching in His word?
The first church was full of the power of God. All throughout the book of Acts, we read of amazing things taking place. Miracles, signs, and wonders all coming through the prayers of mere men. Yet, for most churches today such things are never seen or even discussed? How can something that was so integral to the early church be almost nonexistent today? Because the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which Jesus says brings power, has been ignored and oversimplified to the point that most Christians have no idea what it means to even receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 (ESV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Those of the first church did not believe that the Holy Spirit was imparted on believers from the moment of conversation. That’s not even what we read in the scripture. Receiving the Holy Ghost is shown to be a gift from God that is accompanied by a sign. It came on the Apostles as they prayed in the upper room on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1–4 (ESV)
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
It also fell on other believers as they heard God’s word preached, had hands laid on them by other believers, and after being baptized in Jesus name. All with the sign of speaking in new tongues. Showing that receiving the Holy Spirit isn’t something to be assumed or guessed at but known with certainty.
Acts 8:17 (ESV)
17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:5–6 (ESV)
5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
The lack of the Holy Ghost is also why the modern church is lacking in so many other ways today. Such as in knowledge and revelation from God. Which scripture says would be brought by the Holy Ghost. Many Christians struggle to find joy and peace because they do not have the comforter Jesus described living within them.
John 16:13 (ESV)
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
John 14:26 (ESV)
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
A sad truth is that over the centuries, dedication to the Lord has waned. Causing much of what we see described in the early church to no longer be seen. What isn’t being sought is never going to be found. If Christians are not seeking after God or looking for more then more will never be seen. Instead, we will see the same cold-dead religion that we are seeing today. In which nothing ever changes.
The first church was a dedicated church. Things were constantly happening because they were constantly at the feet of God. They prayed daily and not just for a few minutes or only before meals. Instead, we read that they had long prayer meetings and truly sought the Lord. They didn’t place other things in front of their need and desire to serve the Lord. Church wasn’t a once-a-week event but in many cases was daily. When some started to not meet together as much men like Paul called for them to not neglect their meetings. But to instead hold them all the more as the last days approached.
Acts 2:46 (ESV)
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
Acts 5:42 (ESV)
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Hebrews 10:25 (ESV)
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
As you read the book of Acts the sheer dedication of the early church is on full display. Prayer and worship are almost constant. Even when in the toughest situation still we see the early church offering praise to God. Trusting God to always make a way. Which He so often did. Nothing would keep them from praying. Hard times would only lead them to more prayer.
Scripture shows great results from their actions. As God honored their dedication and amazing things continued to happen. Like Peter’s release from prison as the believers prayed for him. As well as the great earthquake that followed Paul and Sails worshiping God in the jail cell. Which ultimately led to an entire family being saved.
Acts 12:5–12 (ESV)
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Acts 16:23–26 (ESV)
23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
Acts 16:30–33 (ESV)
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
Many are not having the same experiences with God that the first church did because they are not dedicated to God like they were. An issue that is not just found on the pew. But all the way up the chain into the pulpit in many churches. It’s a bold statement but congregation size should not be the driving force of the church or pastor.
The dedicated preacher is willing to preach to anyone willing to show up on any day. Your church is never going to experience the power of the New Testament by cutting services on Wednesday or Sundays nights because not enough people are coming. One willing soul on the pew is reason enough to open the Bible and begin to expound upon the life-changing word of God. I am sure that the Apostle Paul would never have canceled a meeting because enough people weren’t willing to come.
God’s power was on full display in the days of the first Church because of the dedication of the church. The believers were so dedicated because of the example they had to follow. Today we stand in a place with less dedicated leaders and even less decided believers. If we ever want to see God’s power on display today then something must change. God must again become first in our lives and not where we go when things get really bad. Or what we cling to simply because we fear hell. Our fires for God must be ignited and we must start living as the first church did.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 22:37 (ESV)
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Proverbs 3:6 (ESV)
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
So much more could be said for why the first church experienced the power that so many in churches today do not. But in the end, it all comes back to dedication. How they served the Lord. If you want to experience daily church growth, miracles, wonders, blessings, answered prayers, and so much more. Then you need to look at how you are living and see how it compares to the lives of the first church.
Do you spend time daily in prayer, worship, and God’s word? Have you done all the scripture calls those who believe to do? Like being baptized, receiving the Holy Spirit, and keeping yourself from sin? Do you attend church as much as you can? Strive to surround yourself with other devoted Christians? Give to those in need and help out when and where you can? Do you treat others in a manner similar to how God treated you? Does God have the first place in your life?
If we would live as they did. Serve as they served. Put God’s word into action daily in our life as we see they did. Then we would be experiencing the very same things that they did. Because God does not change and He honors obedience to His word. But if we keep on ignoring God’s word, going on our way, and not living up to the example that they set we can’t expect anything to change. Instead, we will stay where we are. Never witnessing the full power of God we see working in the New Testament.
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isaiah 1:9 (ESV)
9 If the Lord of hosts
had not left us a few survivors,
we should have been like Sodom,
and become like Gomorrah.
John 14:21 (ESV)
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)
22 And Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
If you and the believers you are associating with are not dedicated to God. Or serving Him with your whole heart daily that is why you are not experiencing what the first church did. But you can change that today and begin to experience God like never before. All you have to do is adopt the lifestyle exemplified by the early church within the pages of the Bible.
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.