The day of Pentecost was a special, unique event. The Spirit came down as the Comforter whom Christ had promised that He would send to abide with the church till He returned. The disciples were transformed by the presence of the Spirit and Peter preached with power. The result was that 3000 souls gladly received the word and were baptised. What I would like to consider in this article is the distinguishing marks of this early New Testament church.

1. Doctrine⤒🔗

We are told ‘they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine’ (Acts 2:42). In fact what happened was that a new school was opened with 3000 pupils. Christianity is not simply an experience. It is not music and dancing and man-pleasing entertainment. Rather it involves diligently studying the teachings of Scripture. One has to think and use the mind. The truths of the Bible, the attributes of God, the law and the promises, are the spiritual food which our souls require. They were steadfast and earnest in their acquiring of and adhering to the doctrine which the apostles proclaimed and the fact that this is the first mark Luke gives of the early church emphasizes that the Apostles were pre-eminently doctrinal preachers. The idea that doctrine does not matter is a modern heresy. Are you a student of God’s Word? Do you hunger for the truth?

2. Fellowship←⤒🔗

Scripture says: ‘they continued steadfastly in ... fellowship’ (v 42). The early believers loved to come together to share in the worship of God and the fellowship of His people. The devil likes to keep us apart because he knows the importance of fellowship for stimulating Christian growth. A coal taken out of the fire will soon cool down but when in the fire, along with others, keeps burning. 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 10:24-25

3. Breaking of Bread←⤒🔗

The early church not only continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, but also ‘in breaking of bread’ (v 42). In the Greek the definite article is used with the ‘breaking of bread’. This plus the context makes plain that it is not an ordinary meal which is referred to but the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. Christ broke the bread and gave it to His disciples. He asked His people in this way to remember His death till He return. The sacraments are important means of grace. They present Christ in a visible and tangible way to our senses and we are enabled to feed upon Him. The Lord’s table is to be highly valued as a means of grace for the strengthening of God’s people.

4. Prayer←⤒🔗

Prayer is another very important distinctive of the early church: ‘And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers’ (v 42). Prayer is of vital importance to the being as well as the well-being of the church. Souls are saved by calling on the name of the Lord. Christ stressed the importance of private prayer when He said:

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.Mt. 6:6

Elsewhere however He stresses the special blessings connected with corporate prayer:

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Mt. 18:19

Prayer-meetings were an important part of the early church and ought to be so in the churches of today too. We miss out on many blessings because of the lack of corporate prayer. Those who are too busy to attend the prayer-meeting are doing damage to their own souls and also to the congregation.

5. Fear←⤒🔗

It is surprising to modern minds to read, ‘And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles’ (v 43). The church was joyful and successful and alive and yet there was fear. Actually the fear of the Lord is a vital part of true godliness. Solomon says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ (Prov. 9:10). True wisdom is only to be found where there is fear of God. This fear is a loving reverence and respect for God. It is giving God His place. Too much modern religion is irreverent and treats God as if He were not much bigger than ourselves. There is little awe and wonder as people draw nigh to God. But when revival comes there is a great sense of God and a trembling before this holy Lord God. The religion of the early church was full of reverence.

6. Had All Things in Common←⤒🔗

Caring for each other and sharing was another mark of the early church. ‘And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need’ (v 44-45).

They not only delighted in each other’s company but they were also constantly looking out for one another and bearing one another’s burdens. Those who had property sold it and gave the money to the Apostles for the help of the needy. They loved the brethren not just in words but in deed. Not all private property was sold because they still had homes as can be seen in Verse 46. Ananias and Sapphira did not die because they did not give the full price they received to the Apostles but because they pretended that the amount they gave was all that they had got for the land. In hypocrisy and deceitfulness they lied to the church, hoping to look good in the eyes of men and seeking glory from men. They also lied to the Holy Spirit who was present in the church and God hates lies (Acts 5:1-11).

7. Public Worship←⤒🔗

These disciples are described as ‘continuing daily with one accord in the temple’ (v 46). Public worship was very important to them. They could not get enough of it. They hungered and thirsted for God. Only one thing seemed to matter. In times of revival many things are neglected for the one thing needful. The Psalmist envied the sparrows and swallows which made their nests in the house of God. It is tempting for modern Christians to stay at home and listen to sermons on the internet, but public worship has special blessings attached to it. ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Mt. 18:20).

8. Gathering in Homes←⤒🔗

Not only did the New Testament believers like to gather in the temple but they also met for fellowship in one another’s homes: ‘breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart’ (v 46). The ‘breaking of bread’ here is defined as the eating of ‘their meat’. This was not the Lord’s supper but sharing in hospitality. They loved one another’s company and enjoyed talking together of the things of God. When the church is in a lively, healthy condition the best entertainment Christians can get is talking together of the Lord Jesus Christ and His work in their lives.

9. Gladness←⤒🔗

The early believers ‘gladly received his word’ (v 41) and they ‘did eat their meat with gladness’ (v 46). Joy was a characteristic of the church and should be of us too. The ‘fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...’ (Gal. 5:22). The world has its pleasures but they are small and transitory in comparison to the pleasures God gives even in this life, the joy of the Spirit. Worldly pleasures always have a sting in their tail. God’s people are the happiest people in the world and this joy should be shown by us. Peter writes of it as found in ‘Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory’ (1 Pet. 1:7-8). Not only will we have joy in heaven but it is ours already. Yes, and we are able even to rejoice ‘in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us’ (Rom. 5:3-5). ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ (Phil. 4:4) and let your joy be seen.

10. Singleness of Heart←⤒🔗

Divisions come from the devil and they were soon to be found in the early church too, eg Corinth. But to begin with there was ‘singleness of heart’ (v 46). Heresy, pride and party spirit cause division. The church is like a body and the individual Christians are members or parts of that body. The body has one head which is Christ. We all need each other and are intimately united. Love covers a multitude of sins. We must strive for this unity while at the same time recognizing that this must not be at the expense of truth and righteousness. Those who disturb the unity by heresy or immorality must bear the responsibility. Let us all strive for unity without compromise. Christ prayed for it and obviously means us to strive for it with all humility and self-denial: 

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Jn. 17:21-23

11. Praising God←⤒🔗

The early Christians were constantly ‘praising God’ (v 47). The great purpose of the original creation and now the new creation is to glorify God.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Pet. 2:9.

Oh to praise Him more! It will be our occupation throughout the endless ages of eternity. Churches full of genuine praise will be full of God.

12. Bright Witnesses←⤒🔗

It is said of the early church that they had ‘favour with all the people’ (v 47). Our aim must not be to be popular with the world but at the same time we must strive to cause no unnecessary offence. We should be loving, kind, helpful, considerate and the best of neighbours. Just as an unconverted husband can be won for Christ by the lifestyle of his wife (1 Pet. 3:1) so unbelieving friends and workmates can be drawn to consider Christ and His claims. On the other hand we can be guilty of being a stumbling block to sinners and of putting people off the gospel by being inconsiderate, bad tempered and boorish.

13. Evangelism←⤒🔗

The early church was a growing church: ‘And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved’ (v 47). They did not hide their light under a bushel or a bed. They did not retreat behind closed doors saying the Lord can find a way to convert His elect. ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ (Rom. 10:17). They made known the glad tidings and the Lord blessed the Word. No doubt many were saved through the public preaching, but people had to be invited by their friends to hear that preaching. Others may have heard the word through private conversation. The gospel must be heard or no-one will be saved. May this be an increasing mark of our churches today.