Imitating the Acts Church: Do We Really Want it?
Many Christians express a desire to “return to the Acts church”, yearning for the profound community, spiritual power, and unity depicted in Acts 2:42-47. However, do we truly grasp what this entails? The early church was not merely about powerful worship services or occasional gatherings—it embodied a daily lifestyle rooted in close proximity, shared resources, and frequent prayer.
1. The Acts Church Lived in Close Proximity
A hallmark of the early church was that believers resided near one another, enabling them to:
• Devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42).
• Pray together daily (Acts 2:42, 2:46).
• Meet daily in the temple courts, likely for corporate worship and instruction (Acts 2:46).
• Break bread in their homes, sharing meals and life together (Acts 2:46).
• Encourage and disciple each other continually (Hebrews 10:24-25).
This was not a once-a-week assembly but a daily, interconnected way of life. To genuinely emulate the Acts church today, Christians would need to live within close proximity, facilitating regular fellowship and communal living.
2. Historical Proximity of Christians to Their Churches
Historically, Christian communities were centered around their churches, similar to how Jewish communities formed around synagogues:
• Early Christians met in house churches, naturally residing near one another.
• Medieval parish churches served as village centers, ensuring daily worship and communal support. Residents lived within walking distance to attend prayers, Mass, and gatherings.
• Puritan and Protestant towns were structured around the church, reinforcing faith as a communal lifestyle. Proximity ensured that spiritual life remained integral to daily existence.
It was not until the Industrial Revolution and the advent of automobiles that Christians began living farther from their churches, transforming worship into a weekly event rather than a daily practice.
3. The Appeal and Challenge of the Acts Church Model
Many are captivated by the intimacy of community, spiritual power, and miraculous signs associated with the early church. Yet, we seldom consider the implications:
• Are we prepared to relinquish personal space and privacy to live closely with others?
• Are we willing to share our resources generously to support those in need? (Acts 4:32-35)
• Can we embrace the discomfort of constant accountability and communal living?
• Are we ready to forfeit some independence to foster a true spiritual family?
While the allure of miraculous experiences and divine presence is strong, achieving this necessitates embracing the daily sacrifices, discipline, and mutual submission that characterized the early church. The signs and wonders were manifestations of a community fully devoted to God and each other.
4. Modern Isolation in the Church
Today, many Christians:
• Reside miles away from their church, hindering spontaneous gatherings and discipleship.
• Perceive church as an event to attend, rather than a community to engage in.
• Find it challenging to experience daily fellowship, as interactions often require prior scheduling.
This modern lifestyle fosters a sense of disconnection, even among regular churchgoers. The desire for Acts-style community is prevalent, yet our living patterns make it difficult to realize.
5. Steps Toward Emulating the Acts Church
To authentically replicate the early church model, Christians must prioritize proximity and community:
• Consider living near fellow believers to facilitate frequent fellowship and discipleship.
• Develop neighborhood-based church communities that gather regularly, extending beyond Sunday services.
• Foster a communal mindset, positioning the church as the hub of daily life rather than a weekly destination.
• Cultivate a culture of shared prayer, meals, and support, moving away from isolated practices.
6. Personal Reflections and Reservations
Admittedly, I am uncertain about my willingness to undertake this transformation. The concept of deep community is appealing, but the reality demands significant sacrifice of independence, comfort, and personal space. It requires restructuring life around others, which is daunting.
Moreover, I question whether I can trust contemporary Western Christians sufficiently to build a life around a community that genuinely embodies the body of Christ. The early church thrived on sacrificial love, integrity, and profound spiritual accountability. In contrast, many modern churches grapple with superficial relationships, individualism, and cultural Christianity, lacking the deep, covenantal community depicted in Scripture.
This challenge is formidable, and I recognize I am not alone in this struggle. God help us. If this is our calling, we need His grace to embark on this journey.
Conclusion
The Acts church exemplified a deep, daily, communal life intertwined with spiritual power. To truly mirror this, Christians must be willing to reshape their lifestyles, placing community above convenience.
The pressing question remains: Are we genuinely prepared to make this commitment, or are we merely enamored with the idea of the Acts church without embracing the sacrifices it entails?
Article written by Bryan Butler
