Church Matters

The Early Church & Community

• Jesus established the church before he ascended to heaven, yet the church grew among people because of the Holy Spirit. The church became a community.

o Matthew 16:18 (NLT) “…upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell[g] will not conquer it.”

• Ekklēsia: The gathering of those summoned.

o Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) The Believers Form a Community “42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer. 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

• Why did church matter for early Christians?

o Christianity was countercultural
 Romans 12:2 (NLT) “2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

o Christianity could lead to isolation
 Mark 3:32-35 (NLT) “32There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers[a] are outside asking for you.” 33Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

o Christians needed encouragement
 Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) “25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

o Christians were to care for one another’s needs
 Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT) “11Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”

• Early Christians had a constant need to rely on one another to have their physical and spiritual needs met.

• We were created for community.

o John 13:34 (NLT) “34So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

• We must be intentional to cultivate community.

Take Aways:

1. The early church relied on one another.
2. We were created for community.
3. We can be intentional in cultivating community for ourselves.