The First Century Church

How does the Bible describe the first century church?

Have you wondered what it would be like to worship in the first century? Truthfully, do you believe many churches today resemble the first church? What really went on in the first church? What were the people like? What was the message of the preacher? Did they really tithe? Did their service resemble a modern service today? Did they have a pastor? Did they have Sunday school? Does God tell us these things? And probably the most important question, does it really matter?  

Most, when searching for a church to attend, are concerned with whom they will be worshipping. The church is made up of people, so your concern is appropriate. In the first church there were all types of people. Peter preached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) to many different nations of people. The people present there were of different color and languages.

 Acts 2:5-6 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together,…  Peter preached to this multitude (vs.14). Today any “church” that is exclusive is not like the first century church.

 The members of the first century church were people that needed salvation. Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Any church that claims otherwise is not like the first church. The first century church was comprised of people who repented of their sins. Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, repent. Any church which teaches that repentance is not necessary is by no means like the first church. I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 The first church was composed of people who had been baptized for the remission of their sins.

Acts 2:37-38

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Any church that refuses to teach baptism for the remission of sins is certainly unlike the church established on Pentecost.

God added to the membership of the first church.

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. The members of the first church were added by God, not man.

Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Any church where men decide the membership is unlike the first church. The first church followed the apostles’ teaching. Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. The apostles were inspired men of God. God speaks through these inspired men. The first church understood this. Any church that would lessen the value of the commands of the Apostles was unlike the early church. With this understood, it becomes necessary for us to examine our practice.

 Are we worshipping as the apostles directed? Have we added innovations of modern time that is not only contradictory to the scripture but also hinders worship in spirit and in truth? (John 4:24) Any church that refuses to obey the commands of God is unlike the first century church. Jesus spoke stern words in Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

The first century church worshipped after this manner according to the Bible.

1.    They came together I Cor. 14:26. The church of the New Testament assembled Hebrews 10:25. God intends for us to worship him as a group. That group may be as few as two or three but, nevertheless, we must assemble. 

2.   They sang Eph. 5:19. In the old testament, musical instruments are mentioned several times. In the New Testament, we never see them used in worship. The instrument God intends for us to use is our voices, with the melody originating in our soul.

3.   They prayed I Cor. 14: 15; Jesus taught his disciples how to pray I Timothy 2:8. Prayer is vital for the Christian’s survival. The church of the New Testament prayed.

4.   They taught God’s word with the women being silent I Cor. 14: 29-35.  A beautiful example of how the teaching assemblies are to be carried out is given in I Corinthians 14. We see the use of multiple teachers or mutual edification. Never do we see one man doing all the teaching in the New Testament church. The office of the preacher has been elevated to a holy place in the minds of many in the religious world when, in fact, all are important in God’s eyes and all have something to offer. The women of the first century church were commanded to learn in silence. I Timothy 2:11-12 commands her not to teach nor to usurp authority over the man. The New Testament church practiced this. Many churches ignore this command today.

5.    They communed Acts 20:7. The disciples met upon the first day of the week to commune or partake of the Lord’s supper. Since there is a first day of the week every week, we may be certain this is the assembly spoken of in Hebrews 10:25. The first century church met and ate of the communion every first day of the week.

6.   They gave of their means I Cor. 16:1-2. Does this mean “tithe”? The religious world would have you to believe it does. But the inspired apostle instructs how much we are to give in II Cor. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. The first century church gave as they purposed in their heart.

Why would those of us who live in the twenty-first century attempt to differ from those in the first century?  Let us strive to restore New Testament worship.

Mark Parkhurst