What even is church?

As churches begin to reopen their doors and people start to go back, here’s a run down of how it all started… to help us think about what we’re going back to!

In terms of structure, if we take our lead from the Bible (which we do) there’s not much to go on. It doesn’t tell you what day to have the midweek meetings, how many songs to sing or anything like that.

The brief is brief.

Acts 2:42–46 is a concise summary of the church in Jerusalem at the start. A group devoted to the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer as well as a deep practical care for one another. Built on these foundational principles the church goes on an incredible journey, mapped out in the book of Acts. A picture is drawn, as we see it attacked and persecuted; yet refined and strengthened, (Acts 8) as it adapts to communicate in new cultures (15,17 & 18) or strategizes to prosper in difficult circumstances (6).

There are some structural and governance details (1 Timothy 3) which are clearly important or they wouldn’t have made the Biblical cut but more ink is given to the character of the people that make up the body and the dynamic story that changed them than anything else. Maybe God knew we’d enjoy lots of planning meetings so he didn’t include too many plans, maybe those specifics are less important than we think.

Below are some things to think about, not exhaustive or academic, more food for thought.

Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they [the Angels] said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The church is made up of people, who though entirely dependent on Christ and awaiting a future with Him, have a great task to do in the meantime.

Acts 2:2 ‘Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.’

The church is a group of people that need to be filled by the Spirit of God.

Acts 2:42 ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’

The church is a group of people devoted to Jesus’ words, Jesus’ community and Jesus’ promise.

Acts 2:44–45 ‘All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.’

The church is a body of people whose unity in Christ directs and equips them to help each other and others.

Acts 4:13 ‘When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.’

The church is a place where the extra-ordinary power of God is demonstrated by the faithful actions of ordinary people.

Acts 6:2 “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”

The church is a group of people that organises itself to act in times of injustice without losing sight of its bigger mission.

Acts 8:4 ‘Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.’

The church is a movement in which the sovereign rule of God is seen in every circumstance of life.

Acts 17:16–17 ‘While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.’

The church is a group of people who are aware of the plight of the people around them and are stirred and equipped by God to engage with it.

Ash Gibson, Pastor, Christchurch Xscape