Foundations from the Early Church
Have you ever wondered what made the early church so dynamic? What if I told you that the blueprint for church health isn’t found in the latest leadership book, but in the ancient pages of Acts?
The Biblical Foundation
The New Testament speaks clearly about church health: “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:16b, NLT)
Let’s look at how the early church established its foundation in Acts 1:15-26.
Scripture-Based Decision Making (Acts 1:15-22)
When facing their first major leadership crisis – replacing Judas – notice what the early church did. Peter didn’t form a committee or take a poll. Instead, he stood up and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled…”
Think about this: Their first recorded church decision was anchored entirely in Scripture. Peter quoted from two Psalms, demonstrating that even in crisis, God’s Word was their guide.
Modern Application:
- How often do your leadership meetings begin with Scripture rather than statistics?
- When facing decisions, do you ask “What’s worked before?” or “What does Scripture say?”
- Is Bible study a genuine part of your decision-making process or just a ceremonial opening prayer?
Structural Integrity (Acts 1:23-26)
The apostles didn’t just make a decision; they created a process. They established criteria, identified candidates, prayed, and acted. This wasn’t random – it was ordered and intentional.
Leadership Questions:
- Does your church have clear processes for major decisions?
- Are your leadership selection criteria biblical or pragmatic?
- How do you balance spiritual guidance with organizational structure?
The Power of Divine Activity (Acts 2:1-13)
The early church didn’t just acknowledge God’s power – they expected it. When the Holy Spirit moved at Pentecost, they embraced it, even when it didn’t fit their expectations.
Peter Drucker once said, “The first sign of organizational decline isn’t falling numbers – it’s fear of the unexpected.” How relevant this is to church health! The early church thrived because they remained open to God’s unexpected movements.
Today’s Application
Before we close this first part, ask yourself:
- Are your church’s decisions truly Scripture-based, or just Scripture-referenced?
- Does your structure facilitate or hinder the Holy Spirit’s work?
- When was the last time something happened in your church that could only be explained by God’s intervention?
Remember: The early church didn’t have buildings, budgets, or programs. What they had was a commitment to Scripture, healthy structure, and openness to God’s power.
Your Next Steps
- Review your last three major church decisions:
- What Scripture guided each decision?
- How was the Holy Spirit’s guidance sought?
- What processes were followed?
- Schedule a leadership meeting specifically to evaluate your decision-making processes against the Acts model.
- Create space in your church calendar for unexpected moves of God.
Next Week: Part 2 – The Power of Proclamation and Community (Acts 2:14-47)
