WHAT WAS THE EARLIEST CHURCH LIKE?

WHAT WAS THE EARLIEST CHURCH LIKE?

            
               Was it anything like today's church?  No--in fact very different. When I was a very young Christian I remember reading and hearing that what the church needed to do was to be like the earliest churches. Obviously, that would mean the churches in the book of Acts. This church was also in the city of Jerusalem. So what was it like?

              We need to read acts 3:40 – 47

THE CHURCH began on the day of Pentecost, and Peter had been used of the Holy Spirit in a mighty way and spoke a message it the Holy Spirit used to convict 3000 listening Jews. And these Jews responded.


READING ACT  3:

40	With many other words he (Peter) testified, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!"
41	Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
42	They continued steadfastly in the apostles` teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
43	Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44	All who believed were together, and had all things common.
45	They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
46	Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
47	praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.      Studying the last 4 verses  44 All who believed were together and had all things common. pavnteß de; oiJ pisteuvonteß h\san ejpi; to; aujto; kai; ei\con a&panta koinav, 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 kai; ta; kthvmata kai; ta;ß uJpavrxeiß ejpivpraskon kai; diemevrizon aujta; pa'sin kaqovti a~n tiß creivan ei\cen: Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, kaqj hJmevran te proskarterou'nteß oJmoqumado;n ejn tw'/ iJerw'/,    klw'ntevß te katj oi\kon a~rton, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart metelavmbanon trofh'ß ejn  ajgalliavsei kai; ajfelovthti kardivaß, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. aijnou'nteß to;n qeo;n kai; e~conteß cavrin pro;ß o&lon to;n laovn. aujtov. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved oJ de; kuvrioß prosetivqei tou;ß sw/zomevnouß kaqj hJmevran ejpi; to;