By serving one another in practical ways.
By sharing what we have with one another.
By financially helping the elderly and poor believers.
By sharing one another's burdens.
By ministering into one another's lives using the ministry and Spiritual gifts that God has given us.
Making disciples - equipping the saints for the work of the ministry:
- By explaining that God has given each believer ministry and Spiritual gifts to use to build up the church, glorify God, and reach the lost.
- By helping one another discover and give opportunity for their ministry and Spiritual gifts.
- By showing each other by example how to fulfill their ministry and Spiritual gifts.
- By releasing and entrusting one another to fulfill their ministry and Spiritual gifts through participation and making more disciples.
- The more mature believers (called overseers), would visit houses to help coach younger believers in the right direction.
Becoming mature in Christ:
- By discussing the character and heart of Jesus.
- By demonstrating the character and heart of Jesus.
- By persuading one another to do what is right.
What did they do when they met together?
- Ate meals together as they remembered the Lord Jesus (Lord's Supper).
- Worshipped God together by singing and praising God.
- Shared what God was doing in each other's lives.
- Shared God's revelation with one another by the gifts of the Holy Spirit (prophecy, knowledge, discernment, wisdom, tongues and interpretation, dreams, visions).
- Shared their burdens with one another, confessed their sins to one another, and prayed for God's grace.
- Prayed for one another for healing, freedom, and miracles.
- Built up and encouraged one another to be bold in doing what God has given them to do (including sharing the good news).
- Gathered money and gave it to needy believers.
- Occasionally gave a money gift to a worker.
- Baptized new believers.
Where did they meet together?
- Primarily in houses to care for one another and disciple one another.
- Outside in larger areas to share the good news of God's Kingdom and Jesus Christ.
- In a rented hall for intensive training especially for those who worshipped other gods and knew little of the true God.
When did they meet together?
- On the Sabbath.
- Visiting as a family as often as they could - even daily.
The model for New Testament believers (the Church) gathering together as the body of Christ:
The information above portrays a picture of small groups of believers meeting in homes perhaps forming a circle to eat, share, sing, read a scripture, and pray for one another. Everyone comes with a heart to give and they take turns participating with what God has given them. They follow the leading of the Holy Spirit using the ministry and Spiritual gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit, in order to serve one another, build up one another, and bring healing and freedom into each another's lives. Those who have, share with those who lack. They experience Jesus with them, by the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit, and grow in their love for Him. They are a family who love and care for one other. This is the model for New Testament believers (the Church) gathering together as the body of Christ.
For more articles about the New Testament Church you can visit http://www.edmontonhousechurches.com/ARTICLES.html.