Life & Ministry in the Early Church

Those who trusted in and followed Jesus assembled regularly to worship God, pray, study His Word, and fellowship together, with a passionate zeal to proclaim the good news to others.

On the Day of Pentecost, the church was born in Jerusalem and began to grow phenomenally. Many of the people making up the church were from as far away as Mesopotamia and Libya—and everywhere in between. They had come to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and saw and heard the coming of the Holy Spirit in power on the original followers of Jesus. They heard Peter’s sermon, repented of their sins, and trusted Jesus personally. They experienced such a change that many of them did not return home immediately but remained in Jerusalem.

Their new spiritual brothers and sisters who lived in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas made room for them in their homes. Some of these sold what they had to help the visitors. Others distributed goods and did what they could. Some have called it communal living, but what this new institution experienced was a voluntary, unselfish movement to care for the needs of the growing church, bulging not only with resident members, but with so many that were still away from home.

They met often—even daily—to hear teaching about the Savior from the apostles. They worshiped and prayed together, and participated in the new ceremony they were calling ‘The Lord’s Supper.’ They talked and worked and helped one another side by side (fellowship). These actions so characterized the fledgling church that people could see the Christ-followers were truly devoted to the church and its functions. Their lives were changed and others noticed. As people saw the change, their awe and curiosity drew them to Christ Jesus and His church.

But changed lives weren’t the only attraction for curious onlookers. The church’s leaders were performing what could only be classified as miracles, signs, or wonders. But these signs would not continue past the first century. God was simply validating this message (salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection), just as He validated Moses’ message and Israel’s nationhood through the astounding miracles that were limited to those times.

And it worked. People were drawn to God’s church through the authenticity of its new believers and were convinced the message was from God through the signs performed by its leaders. With such a foundation, the church members met confidently for worship and went out boldly to tell others about God’s goodness and grace.

One time, while Peter and John were teaching, the Jewish leaders, indignant that they were instructing the people and proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection, had the temple police arrest them and throw them in jail. Even still, many of those in the crowd had already believed and the church’s number grew to about 5,000!

The next day, the rulers, religious leaders and scholars met with Annas the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander to interrogate Peter and John. The Holy Spirit filled Peter and he said, “Rulers, leaders, if you brought us to trial for helping a sick man, I want you to know—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus of Nazareth, Messiah—the one you killed on a cross and God raised from the dead—by means of His name this man is standing strong and healthy. Salvation only comes through Him. No other name has been or will be given to us in the entire world by which we can be saved.”

What a message! He didn’t back down on Jesus’ resurrection or the exclusivity of Jesus as the only way to God. He couldn’t. Without the resurrection and Jesus’ unique sacrifice there is no good news! Every day they were in the Temple and in homes, teaching and preaching Christ Jesus, not letting up for a minute. This city-shaking, world-changing church started as a tiny group of 120, grew to 3,000, then 5,000, and continued to multiply.