Today’s church struggles with how to attract more people to its congregation. Some churches build magnificent structures, some host electrifying youth events, others have buses to transport people from faraway places, and so on. While all the above are essential to ensuring that congregants have a conducive, friendly environment for ministry, it is necessary to look to the history of the early church to see what attracted people to it.
Expression of God’s Power
The early church was undoubtedly characterized by a great move of God’s power. It all began with Christ’s resurrection, which gave the disciples great confidence (Acts 1:1-3). The resurrection of Christ assured believers of life after death (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). It was a display of Divine authority over death, assuring Christians that they can rely on God’s power to live transformed lives (Romans 12:2). This transforming power is what enables Christians to walk in the newness of life, overcoming the power of sin (Romans 6:4).
On the day of Pentecost, God’s power was displayed through a sound like the blowing of a mighty wind and tongues of fire that came upon the disciples, who began to speak in different tongues (Acts 2:1-4). There were so many people in Jerusalem who were drawn to what was happening when they heard the Galileans speaking in their various languages (Acts 2:5-6). That day, the gospel was proclaimed, and about three thousand people gave their lives to Christ (Acts 2:40-41).
The power of God is further displayed through miracles, signs, and wonders. God used the disciples to perform miracles, which served to confirm the gospel and show that the power of the risen Christ indeed rests upon them. After the healing of the crippled beggar, we see fellowship growing with five thousand more (Acts 4:4). Dr. Luke describes the impact of the miracles in his summary statement on Acts 5:12-16, noting that many people brought their sick, those with impure spirits, and the apostles, through the power of God, healed them.
Impact of Faithful Leadership
The leadership of the early church was characterized by conviction and faithfulness to the gospel they proclaimed. The leaders were ready to suffer rather than give in to the pressure of being silent, as asserted by the authorities of the day (Acts 4:8-12). Having leaders who walk the talk was critical in the early church; otherwise, the gospel could not be taken seriously. Do the leaders of the church you fellowship with honestly believe in what they preach, and are they ready to pay the price that comes with remaining faithful to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ?
The leaders of the early church also fostered unity among the membership. The church had grown to a capacity of over ten thousand people. Leading such a number is not easy, especially to have them be of one heart and mind, as Acts 4:32 affirms. The church, however, stayed united and continued to meet together at Solomon’s colonnade (Acts 5:12).
Generosity of Believers
The scripture states that all believers were one in heart and mind and that no one claimed that whatever they had belonged to them. Instead, they sold and shared everything they had (Acts 4:32). Around this time, the church had grown to a considerable number, and more needs were arising in the community. The new converts may have stayed longer in Jerusalem to understand the gospel, thereby necessitating that the church attend to their needs. Acts 2:42-47 gives a beautiful illustration of sharing in this church. There were no fears of lack and want. Unfortunately, today’s church does not follow the exact model of the early church. It has, however, developed contextualized solutions to today’s problems. We have many people with different needs in the church, and God expects us to stand with each other and be a blessing in any way we can (Galatians 6:10).
Reverence for God
There was also genuine fear of God in the early church. Even though the people around highly regarded the early church, no one dared to join them, especially after the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:13-14). Those who joined them had personally resolved to follow Christ; otherwise, they knew, God could bring his judgment upon them. Whenever people understood the gospel, they repented and returned to God. They devoted themselves to prayer, to the breaking of bread, and even to fellowship, a sign of their commitment to the faith (Acts 2:42). The church was then founded on firm knowledge and trust in God’s word (Acts 2:43).
The people also submitted themselves to the apostles’ teachings, showing respect for those God had chosen to shepherd the flock (Acts 2:42). 1 Timothy 5:17 states the importance of honoring the elders who teach and preach the word of God. The church minimized distractions from the authorities and sought to honor God rather than fear men. They would rather suffer for Christ than enjoy temporary safety that will later lead to eternal damnation.
Inclusivity in the early church
The early church included all those who were being saved in their fellowship. There were neither Jews nor Greeks, slaves nor free, male nor female, but all were one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Whenever a problem arose, they readily took significant measures to ensure all people were served equally (Acts 6:1-4). The church attracted people from various ethnic groups and social backgrounds. On the day of Pentecost, people from all over the world listened to Peter’s sermon, and many were saved (Acts 2:5-12).
It is remarkable to see how God was at work in and through the early church, even as he increased among them those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). Through their lives of total surrender and genuine fellowship, they had great favor with the surrounding community (Acts 2:46-47).
The question today’s churches should ask is: what really attracts people to our churches? Are our main activities centered on Christ, or on hype and pop culture? If the answer is the former, then proceed by all means. However, if Christ is not exulted in your activities, then you will only attract worldliness to your church. May this journey back to the early church’s history cause you to focus on what truly matters: bringing many to the saving knowledge of Christ.