Keystone PC
Sunday, April 26
      • Bible Trivia
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  • Gloria Patri
  • Doxology
  • If I asked you to list the signs of a living church, what signs would your list contain?
    Let’s do this. I don’t want to take a long amount of time but think for just a minute, what signs would tell you a church is alive?
    Write at least one sign that comes to your mind.
    I bet if we gathered everybody’s signs, we would have several ways that we would use to measure the life of a church.
    But the real question is, not how do we measure the life of a church but how does God measure the life of a church. And like everything else in life, God answers this even before we knew we needed an answer.
    Open your Bible to Acts 2. Follow along with me as I read our passage starting in verse 42.
    Acts 2:42–47 CSB
    42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

    1. Commitment to the Word

    When we look at the early church, one of the first things that stands out is their deep commitment to learning and living by the Word of God. This dedication wasn’t just an occasional activity—it was a central part of their daily lives.
    The Bible tells us the early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” But what does that really mean? The phrase “apostles’ teaching” refers to the message and instruction delivered by the apostles, the chosen followers of Jesus who were authorized to pass on His teachings.
    The word “devoted” carries the idea of persistence and ongoing effort. If we translate the verse more fully, it reads, “They were continually devoting themselves.” This wasn’t a one-time lesson or a casual interest. Instead, learning about Christ and His teachings was at the heart of their lives. The early Christians longed to understand Jesus’ words, so they regularly gathered to hear and study the apostles’ teaching.
    Let’s pause to clarify another key term: “doctrine.” In simple terms, doctrine means the set of beliefs or teachings that shape what a group understands about faith. Sometimes the word doctrine can make us uneasy, maybe because disagreements about doctrine seem common. Yet, correct doctrine is vital—it guides the church in knowing what is true and what isn’t.
    Some people think, “As long as we agree about who Jesus is, everything else can be debated.” But is that really enough? Consider this: If you affirm that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and the only way to salvation, would you agree with anyone who says the same?
    Imagine you hear this statement from someone you don’t know. Would you agree with them right away? What if you later found out they were a Mormon? Would your answer change? These questions invite us to reflect: How does our understanding of doctrine shape who we consider a fellow Christian?
    If agreeing on just this statement—let’s call it the “doctrine of Jesus”—were all that defined Christianity, then many groups, including Mormons, would be considered Christian. However, most Christian churches don’t include Mormonism as part of biblical Christianity. Why? Because even when statements sound similar, their meanings can differ greatly depending on the group’s doctrine. Other beliefs about God, Jesus, and salvation won’t match those found in the Bible either.
    This shows us that doctrine is not just a set of opinions—it’s foundational to our faith. Today, we see different denominations re-interpret doctrine in their own ways, which leads to varying beliefs and practices. Yet, biblical Christianity is defined by what Jesus taught and how the apostles explained those teachings. Correct doctrine—rooted in Scripture—helps us know what the Truth and gives us purpose.

    2. Understanding Signs and Wonders - Then and Now

    When we look at the early church, it’s clear that wonders and signs were a prominent part of their experience as they received teaching from the Apostles. Acts 2:43 tells us:
    Acts 2:43 CSB
    43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
    These extraordinary events weren’t just random acts—they served a specific purpose in God’s unfolding plan.
    Why were miracles so frequent among the first followers of Jesus? The wonders and signs performed in those days were a mark of authority, verifying that Jesus had commissioned the Apostles to teach and establish correct doctrine. Acts 5:12 states:
    Acts 5:12 CSB
    12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade.
    Miracles—often described as “signs and wonders”—were not exclusive to the Apostles. Jesus Himself performed many such acts, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and demonstrating His divine identity (John 2:11; Luke 4:18–21). Similarly, others like Moses, Stephen, Paul, and Barnabas were empowered by God to perform miracles, signaling that their message came directly from the Lord.
    As the church grew, the frequency of public miracles decreased. Acts 5 marks a turning point; after this chapter, the focus shifts from signs and wonders to the spread of the gospel and the formation of church doctrine. With the foundation established by the Apostles—those God specifically chose to teach and lead—the need for ongoing miraculous validation diminished (Ephesians 2:20). While Paul continued to perform miracles later in Acts (Acts 19:11–12), the pattern of widespread signs and wonders became less central.
    So, have signs and wonders ceased altogether? In the sense of those early, foundational miracles performed by the Apostles and their close associates, yes—they served to validate the gospel and establish the church. But that doesn’t mean God has stopped working in miraculous ways. He is still active, still present, and still working wonders in our world today.
    Miracles aren’t always dramatic or public. Sometimes, they’re personal and subtle. Consider the transformation that takes place when someone moves from bitterness to forgiveness, or when a person finds hope in the midst of despair. The ability to read and understand the Bible, to experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to see lives changed are all examples of God’s ongoing work. One friend shared how she overcame years of addiction after praying for help—a quiet but profound miracle. Another described the peace that came during a family crisis, a peace she couldn’t explain apart from God’s intervention.
    As we reflect on the history of miracles in the early church, it’s important to recognize that God’s power is not confined to the past. He continues to work in our lives in ways both large and small. Take a moment to consider how God has been present in your own journey—perhaps through answered prayers, restored relationships, or moments of unexpected provision. These experiences, though sometimes overlooked, are evidence of God’s ongoing activity in His world. Let’s remain open to His wonders, celebrate His work, and encourage each other to recognize the miracles unfolding around us every day.

    3. Community through Sharing

    Acts 2:44-45
    The book of Acts describes how the early Christians were devoted to fellowship, creating a vibrant and unified community. This unity was not just about gathering together; it deeply influenced every aspect of their lives, fostering genuine care and support among believers.
    To clarify, socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production—such as factories, land, and resources—are collectively owned and managed by the state. The goal is often to distribute wealth more equally among all members. Communism goes further, advocating for the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless society where all resources are owned collectively, and everyone receives an equal share, regardless of their contribution.
    While socialism and communism advocate the distribution of wealth and property, Acts describes believers voluntarily sharing with those in need, without mandating equal ownership or wealth.
    Later in Acts chapter 4, we see this echoed where no one claimed their possessions as their own but were a means to help those in need.
    In college, a political science instructor compared Christian community to a socialist commune using Acts as an example. Initially, this seemed reasonable, but further study showed that the early church’s generosity was voluntary, driven by compassion rather than ideology or enforced equality. In Acts, Christians freely shared resources without abolishing private property, emphasizing voluntary support and unity which only strengthened the congregation.

    4. Community, Worship, and Growth

    This passage closes with three very important statements. The new believers met in the temple every day and shared meals together in their homes. These are the first two.
    But why gather in both the temple and homes?
    The reason for gathering in both the temple and homes stems from the context following Pentecost. The earliest Christians were Jewish and it was customary for them to gather in the temple, as was the Jewish practice. Verse 42 ended with them devoted to prayer, but it can also be translated that they were devoted to “the prayers,” referring to the established prayer times in Judaism. Therefore, it was normal for them to continue these prayers.
    Another reason for going to the temple was that it served as a place where people gathered daily. The temple provided an opportunity for the new believers to witness to others about Christ. Typically, people do not just walk into a church seeking to learn; rather, people are brought into the church by hearing from believers while they are outside of the church.
    After engaging with others in the temple, the believers would gather together in their homes, enjoying the company of fellow believers. They shared meals and stories of their witnessing experiences. This practice allowed them to withdraw from the world and reconnect as a community before returning to their daily lives.
    But the very last part of verse 47 is critical.
    Acts 2:47 CSB
    47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
    As the people witnessed every day and gathered together to support each other, God added to them daily.
    It was not the witnessing, home meals, or community alone that increased their numbers; it was the work and act of God who added to their numbers.
    I think we must really grasp this last part.
    Acts 2:42 CSB
    42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
    These activities are what the church is supposed to do continually.
    These are the signs of a living church. It is not about numbers, but about the people in the church, growing closer to God, growing closer together, and sharing in community. These are the true signs that a church is alive.
    It is up to God to add to their number.
    You now have a God given list of how to measure both your life in Christ as well as the life of the church. I hope this week you will do that; measure your life in Christ and the life of the church.
    Are you growing in Christ? Are you devoted to Christ?
    When we look at the vitality of a church, it is only as good as the growth of its members.
    Let’s pray.

      • Acts 2:42–47CSB

      • Acts 2:43CSB

      • Acts 5:12CSB

      • Acts 2:47CSB

      • Acts 2:42CSB

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