In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised to build His church. This promise was fulfilled in Acts 2 in the city of Jerusalem. Not only was Jerusalem the place where Jesus brought into existence His universal body of saved people, but it was also the city where the first local church of His people was established (Acts 2:36-47).

The first few chapters of Acts give us insight into how the Jerusalem church functioned. We learn what they devoted themselves as a congregation of disciples.

Teach

  • The Jerusalem church was faithful to the commandment of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).
  • This church was not simply content with knowing what to do to be saved. They desired to grow in their knowledge of the inspired word of God.
  • Like this church, Bible teaching must continue to be at the center of all we do. This is critical to know how to please God and grow in our relationship with Him (Colossians 1:9-10).

Worship

  • We are given a snapshot of the worship of the early brethren in Acts 2:42. They studied the word of God, shared their resources, partook of the Lord’s Supper, and prayed.
  • These saints recognized that God must be worshipped according to the pattern revealed to His apostles.
  • The Lord demands that we always make worship about pleasing Him above anything else (John 4:24; Philippians 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; Colossians 3:17).

Connect

  • The early church was connected! They took care of one another (Acts 2:43-45). They spent time together in the worship assembly and outside of it (Acts 2:46). They sincerely enjoyed being together as often as they could.
  • The devil doesn’t want God’s people to stay connected. He knows that if he isolates them from one another, he will have an easier time stealing them away from God. He knows that God’s people are stronger when they fight him together instead of going solo.

Grow

  • God wants churches to grow numerically through evangelism (Acts 2:41; 4:4).
  • He also wants churches to grow spiritually (Ephesians 4:11-16). A church benefits when disciples grow spiritually. When Christians grow, the local church is equipped to grow in leadership, teaching, love, humility, patience, and forgiveness.

Conclusion:

Let us always stay committed to God’s purposes for the local church.