Four Qualities of a Healthy Church

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Four qualities of a healthy church

1. Devotion -2:42

Four types of devotion listed in this text

Acts 2:42 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Devotion to the Word of God - 2:42a

“the Apostles’ teaching”

Essentially, they were intensely discipled.

Devotion to one another - 2:42b

“and the fellowship”

They were intensely committed to one another. Like a family.

Fellowship - Koinonea - A devotion to being unified in community.

Devotion to remembering Christ - 2:42c

“the breaking of bread”

The Lord’s Supper

Devotion to prayer - 2:42d

“and the prayers.”

2. Collective Awe of God - 2:43

Acts 2:43 ESV

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

Signs and wonders were being done - 2:43a

Through the apostles - 2:43b

The apostles were merely a channel through which God was showing off!

There wasn’t any misunderstanding about who was really responsible for the amazing works being done!

3. Support for One Another - 2:44-46

Acts 2:44–46 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

They were together and there was a mutual interest (all things in common)

“To share with one another equitably”

Possessions were not more important than each other - 2:45

Constant interaction with one another - 2:46a

Gathering in both large and small groups

No one was going to be hungry. - 2:46b

All were glad and generous - 2:46b

4. Contagious Praise of God - 2:47

Acts 2:47 ESV

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Praising God Produced...

Favor with all people - 2:47a

Salvations - 2:47b