The Marks of a Healthy Church -Acts 2:42-47

Introduction

Upon the outpouring of the Spirit of God and the closing of Peter’s sermon, those present were cut to the heart over their sin and cried out in repentance and placed their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

It was these people. 3 thousand in total, who made up the first converts of the new established organism call the Church.

In our passage, Luke tells us that immediately they began to foster biblical fellowship.

They were “continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

This devotion expressed itself in tangible love for one another, as

“all who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to all, as anyone had need” (Acts 2:44–45)).

In doing so, they fulfilled Jesus’ command that “by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

The apostles modeled and encouraged godly unity, which the believers expressed through generosity, shared life, and regular gatherings, demonstrating that they were true disciples of Christ.

Where the church lacked means, they would sell their property and resources and then supply the needs of anyone in need. Furthermore, as each day passed, they were together worshipping the one true God in the temple, teaching the things of God, traveling from house to house with a fellowship meal as a sign of devotion and love, fulfilling the royal law of love, all to the praise of God. Such testimony convicted the hearts of men that those in opposition to the faith were being saved, and that the Lord was growing the Church. 

Here we can see what needs to be modeled within the local church: We put our resources together and steward them so that, if a need arises within the church, we can come together to meet it.

We are also called to be a people of prayer, so we set aside times to meet and pray.

Through fellowship meals, visiting with one another in our homes, and seeking to establish healthy relationships to prevent certain sins like slander and gossiping; being built up in the truth of God’s word. This is how we can model Acts 2:42-47.

I) Devotion to the Teaching of the Apostles (v. 42)

A. Continual Devotion to the Apostolic Teaching 

“They were continually devoting themselves…” (Acts 2:42, LSB)

The phrase “continually devoting” uses a Greek verb that communicates “a steadfast and single-minded fidelity to a certain course of action.”

These believers had set the course of their lives to be faithful men and women of the Word of God.

The apostolic teaching spoken of here would become the makeup of the New Testament teachings that we possess today. The Word of God is the primary agent that guides and directs the life of the church, and therefore we are called to build our ministry upon it.

Two Questions should be asked by us from this point in our text:

The first) is the preacher a man found faithful to the authority of the apostles' teaching?

As pastors of the church, we are not called to create novel ideas or use the Bible as a springboard for our hobby horses.

Rather, we are called to be faithful expositors of God's Word—to exposit the original meaning of the text and then faithfully apply its truths to our lives.

The Second is that: Are you devoted to the teachings and instructions of the Word of God?

An evidence of genuine salvation is seen in this very question

The people of God were not merely Sunday pew warmers.

They were a people hungry for the truth and growing in their knowledge of salvation.

They longed to sit under the teaching of God's Word because they understood that it was through the Scriptures that God nourished, corrected, and sanctified His people.

This was Jesus; prayer for His people

John 17:17 ““Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”

We should structure our Sunday gatherings around the teaching and preaching of God’s Word.

It is not enough for a 7 minute homily but rather adequate time should be given so that the preacher can rightly divide the word of God.

Al Mohler is right when he say “

“No church can be healthy unless it gathers together to be devoted to the exposition of the word of God.”

Furthermore, the church was—and still is—being built upon revealed truth.

Paul writes:

“So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.” (Ephesians 2:19–20)

And again:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

The conclusion is simple:

if Scripture is removed, the church will inevitably drift into error. A church that abandons the apostles' teaching will soon abandon the apostles' Christ.

Therefore, beloved, let us be a people continually devoted to the Word of God, for it is by that Word that the church is built, protected, and brought to maturity in Christ.

B. Devotion to Fellowship

Look with me at the last half of verse 42:

Acts 2:42 – “and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.” (LSB)

The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia. It conveys the idea of having something in common with another and is where we get the concept of communion.

When we look at the whole counsel of God and see how this word is used, we get the biblical sense of its meaning.

We see it used in our relationship with God:

“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

We see it used in our relationship toward one another in the body of Christ:

“If there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit… make my joy complete by thinking the same way.” (Philippians 2:1–2)

We also see it described in our participation with one another at the Lord's Table:

“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16)

So, biblical fellowship is not merely gathering together for a potluck or enjoying one another's company.

Rather, it is a deep intimacy and partnership with one another based upon a shared commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul says that the ground of our unity is this:

“There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” (Ephesians 4:4–6)

We share the same love for God.

We share the same hatred for sin.

We share the same love and devotion for the Word of God.

We share the same Savior, the same gospel, and the same hope of glory.

That is biblical fellowship.

It is the communion of redeemed sinners who have been united together by Christ and who now walk together in love, devotion, and service to Him.

When the Church of God builds its ministry on the foundation of God’s word, the church becomes more than a social interaction— it becomes a shared spiritual life; relationships being centered on Christ and Him crucified.  

The text implies that the people of God did not live like sectarians. Rather, they knew one another intimately and lived life together.  

True biblical fellowship preserves unity and prevents division.

Thus, hospitality wasn’t foreign but a normal pattern among the people of God.

C) They Broke Bread

Scholars suggest this may be in reference to the Lord’s suppers others simply see it as a shared meal. Either way, breaking bread is a means to enter into a time of fellowship.

D) Devotion to Prayer

The early church was marked by prayer and, in return which demonstrated dependence on God.

Prayer wasn’t only for individual lives here, but also for corporate prayer.

Therefore, the Church was known as a praying church, not devoid of prayer. So, we can say that when a church is made by prayer, it is a healthy church.

II. The Evidence of True Fellowship (vv. 43–46)

A) Awe and the Work of God (v. 43)

“Fear came upon every soul…”

The word fear here is not a fear of condemnation per se but rather a proper heart response towards and revering the God of salvation.

This response most likely arose because God was making Himself known through the conviction and repentance that came by the preaching of the apostles.

This inward transformation was further validated by the forsaking of one's former way of life, and the authenticity of this newfound faith was evidenced by the signs and wonders that accompanied the apostles' ministry.

Thus, the focus was on what God was doing, not man

What were seeing here is the holiness of God was both felt and seen.

Men and women were being brought under the conviction of the gospel, and their sin was being revealed by the law of God’s Word. T

The Spirit of God was being poured out upon the people.

What is often forgotten about during today’s “revival services” is that when the Word is faithfully preached and the Spirit applies it to the heart, the result is not entertainment or emotionalism, but deep repentance and renewed reverence for God.

“He who fears God fears no man.”

— Leonard Ravenhill

B. Unity and Shared Life (v. 44)

“All who believed were together…had all things in common.” (Acts 2:44)

Spiritual unity was expressed in what they had in common rather than in outward identity such as ethnicity or social status.

This is the outworking of what James speaks of in James 2—there was no favoritism on display, and no evidence of partiality among them.

“My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.” (James 2:1)

The church functioned as one body rather than a collection of competing sects or social classes.

In Christ, the dividing walls that once separated people were being torn down, and a new people was being formed.

As Paul writes:

“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the dividing wall of the barrier…” (Ephesians 2:14)

C) Giving of Resources (v. 45)

Most likely, these new believers were not rich and had many needs

And upon hearing and embracing the teachings of the apostles, love marked them as true disciples.

As a result, they sold possessions to meet needs that arose among one another.

This verse is challenge to us all.

Radical generosity and a conviction upon those who hold dear to their idol of materialism where one’s self-worth is measured by the wealth they accumulate.

Don't be the foolish man who is stored up his grain for himself and built bigger barns for himself to which God said:

“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)

This does not mean they sold everything they owned, but rather that they were willing to give up what they had in order to meet real and present needs within the body.

What this implies from the text is not coercion (this isn’t socialism) but love.

I love what one commentor said

“Acts 2:44 provides no justification for communism, but it certainly challenges our materialism.”

Meeting the people's needs was made possible by generosity:

Another thing to observe from this is the giving of personal time, which often goes unseen and is not compensated.

When physical needs arose—whether building infrastructure, unexpected home repairs, or practical service—believers devoted themselves to meeting those needs.

In doing so, they were stewarding the gifts and resources God had entrusted to them as an expression of love and for the glory of God.

“As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10)

If Jesus is the center of all that we say and do as a church, then His example must shape our own life together.

He laid aside His glory to serve among His creatures and ultimately gave His life for us.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

In light of that, what is any earthly possession truly worth if we are able to use it to provide and meet the needs of those among us? We are called to reflect the self-giving love of Christ in how we steward what He has entrusted to His church.

D. Daily Life Together (v. 46)

“Day by day… with one accord…”

What we see here is that the Church was not optional but the very organism by which one is to build their life around.

This also means that the Church isn’t confined to one particular space, i.e., the Temple, but also witnessed in our homes. The natural byproduct of being faithful to this model is the gladness of the heart and sincerity. Or, in other words, transparency was evident as well.

III. The Result of a Healthy Church (v. 47)

A. A Life of Worship

“Praising God and having favor with the people…”

Here, we see the continuous outflow of daily Christian living: The people were praising God for the work He had done and was continuing to do after Pentecost.

There is much to be thankful for as Christians and to rejoice with one another through life’s journey; from hearing of conversions and work being done in local and global missions to helping a brother or sister in Christ who is need. We have much to praise about.

look at the next phrase with me:

“having favor with the people....”

We must note from the text that the impact of a life found in Christ was so counter-cultural that the life of devotion to the apostles teachings and sacrificial giving produced a testimony that impacted those around them.

They were gospel witnesses and were not hiding their light, but in them the glory of God by their works was seen, and in return, the culture was glorifying God.

Therefore, their lives gave credibility to the gospel.

Yet we also must understand that living a life that is countercultural will also produce division because Scripture attests to the reality that those who are outside of Christ hate the light and do not want their sin to be exposed.

The word favour in the greek is the word charis. It means grace, good will “

Lexham Theological Wordbook χάρις

Conveys the sense of a gift of kindness and favor given to a person or persons.

These early Christians were modeling this through a life poured out for one another and in so doing provide a witness statement of the saving grace of God.

A Scripture I often point to is that the Christian will either be an aroma of life or an aroma of death to the culture around us.

2 Corinthians 2:15–16 (LSB) – "For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?"

The faithful witness of the church will always produce one of two responses. To some, the gospel is the fragrance of life that leads to salvation. To others, it is the smell of death because it exposes sin and calls sinners to repentance.

We also know that the favor the Jerusalem church experienced early on in Acts would soon wane as we move through the book. The same people who marveled at the apostles would later oppose them.

In Acts 4, Peter and John are arrested and imprisoned for preaching Christ (Acts 4:1–3).

In Acts 5, the apostles are once again arrested, beaten, and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus (Acts 5:17–18, 40).

Later, Peter himself would be imprisoned by Herod (Acts 12:1–5).

Likewise, Paul would experience persecution and hostility as he entered various cities proclaiming Christ.

He was driven out of Antioch (Acts 13:50), nearly stoned in Iconium (Acts 14:5), actually stoned and left for dead in Lystra (Acts 14:19), beaten and imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:22–23), and eventually seized by an angry mob in Jerusalem (Acts 21:30–31).

What do we make of this? That the church’s faithfulness can’t be measured by how the world defines faithfulness.

The favor of the world will wane and people will come and go but God’s call for the church remains the same whether people will accept the message or not: Proclaim Christ and Him crucified.

God may at times provide a greater grace, a revival upon a society, or He may bring suffering and persecution upon the Church all under His sovereign and providential care for His people.

Both are realities of a faithful Christian witness in a fallen world.

Our Lord Himself promised this reality:

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you." (John 15:18)

And Paul reminded Timothy:

"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)

Yet, at the same time, God is pleased to use the faithful witness of His church to bring many to salvation:

"And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47))

“The distinctive life of the believing community will bring both responses. We need to be prepared to respond to both. We ought to be careful of judging other churches based on the response of the world around them. It is all too easy to think that a church enjoying ‘favour’ has sold out, or that a church enduring trial has failed to be culturally sensitive. Our task is to be godly and distinctive. God’s sovereign work will bring a variety of responses.”

B. The Lord Builds the Church

“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

It was God who began to build the church, not man.

It was not pragmatism that produced this growth, but a life devoted to the teaching and preaching of God’s Word, fellowship among one another, faithful gospel witness, worship, and prayer.

Luke, records for us what the life of the early church looked like:

Devotion to the apostles’ teaching (Scripture)

Fellowship

Breaking of bread

Prayer

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

“If any church is going to be an authentic church of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will feature all four of these activities. If any of these components are missing, there is a critical problem with the church’s health.” -Al Mohler

These elements, when held together, formed a spiritual unity in which the church was able to grow and flourish into maturity.

And the result is clear: God Himself was the One who added to their number.

“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)