MARKS OF A VIBRANTCHURCH
Part 2 of 2

In the first part of this article, we saw the first 3 marks of a Vibrant Church as can be seen in chapter 2 ofActs, namely: (1) An emphasis on true preaching; (2) An emphasis on doctrine;and (3) An emphasis on worship and the sacraments. In this second part of thearticle, we look at the next 3 marks….

4. An Emphasis onFellowship and Sharing

And they continued stedfastly… in [the] fellowship… And all that believedwere together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods,and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing dailywith one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eattheir meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and havingfavour with all the people (vv. 42–47).

It is interesting that although Luke mentions the other aspects and emphasisesof the New Testament Church, it is on the subject of fellowship that he dwellson the most. This, I submit to you, is to be expected because the local church,after all, is comprised of people; a people who are all redeemed by the bloodof Christ and placed as a part of the body of Christ by the Lord; a people whoare called to be in one family and so to be brothers and sisters in Christ. Andsince they are brothers and sisters in Christ, they must have a special carefor one another. Thus one of the most important aspects of a vibrant church isthat of fellowship. The word “fellowship,” translates the now famous Greekword koinonia, which simply speaks of participation—participationin each other’s life—sharing of each one’s blessings and burdens. But what arethe characteristics of a true fellowship, as evidenced in this Acts 2 church?

Firstly, we are told that they were having fellowship meals (v. 46; here,breaking bread is not a reference to the Lord’s Supper as in verse 42) in eachother’s house “with gladness and singleness of heart.” Which says thatthey were genuinely glad, and were sincere rather than hypocritical towards eachother. Those who are hypocritical are described by Jude as “spots”—hidden reefrocks in the feast of charity (Jude 12). But not so in the church of Acts 2.There is a certain transparency among the members. No one has any hidden agendaor ill-will towards others and no one suspects others as being hypocritical. Ina word, there was no politics in the church. This is the basis of their having“all things common” (v. 44). Sadly this is often not the case in many a churchtoday and I wonder if we will be spared.

But why is there so much disunity, hypocrisy and politics in the average churchtoday? I believe the fundamental problem is that of sin. And it is particularlyacute in the Church in this Laodicean age when sin paraded in the garb ofself-esteem and personal-ambition is seen as a virtue. The inner garment ofself-esteem and personal-ambition is of course that of self-love andselfishness. Paul warned that this problem of self-love will reach epidemiclevels in the last days: “This know also, that in the last days perilous timesshall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,…” (2 Tim3:1–2).

If this list sounds very unchristian, it is. But realise that Paul is notspeaking about the average unbeliever in the street, but about professingbelievers, for in verse 5 he tells us that these same people “[Have] a form ofgodliness, but [deny] the power thereof.” Who are these but professingbelievers in the church?

How did the church today arrive at the current state? I believe it is duelargely to a rampant employment of Arminian and Pelagian forms of evangelismeven in churches that claim to be Reformed. This, coupled with an aversion tothe Puritan emphasises on assurance of salvation, false profession andintrospective spiritual exercises, has led to the inward decay of many achurch.

Secondly, not only were the members of the apostolic church self-less andsincere towards one another, we see that they also had great sensitivity andcare for others, for we are told “And [they] sold their possessions andgoods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (v. 45). Why didthose richer believers sell their possessions and goods? It was clearly toprovide for the needs of the poorer members in the church.

Naturally, the sensitivity and care to other believers in the church mustextend beyond the poor in the church. The poor merely gives the occasion forexpressions of love. But Paul instructs us to do good to all, especially to thesaints: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shallreap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good untoall men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:9–10).

In a biblically vibrant church, where members are sensitive to the prompting ofthe Holy Spirit through the conscience, every believer is ready to do goodalways to one another. If a brother is going through a rough patch in his life,many brothers and sisters will realise it without his even talking to anyone,and they will automatically help him as much as they can. And yes thissensitivity extends beyond just physical needs. Rather, members in a biblicallyvibrant church continually provoke one another to “love and to good works” (Heb10:24); and “exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of[us] be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13).

The churches of Ephesus and Colosse during Paul’s days were known not only fortheir faith, but also for their love for one another (Eph 1:4; Col 1:4). It ismy prayer that our church may, similarly, not just be known for its Reformeddistinctives, but our love one for another. Think for a moment what impressionwill be left in the mind of a visitor who comes to PCC for just one Lord’s Day?Will they feel the warmth, or will they return home saying that they felt leftout and unwelcomed? Could it be that they came just once and no more because ofthis reason? Will you not, brethren, make every effort to show love to oneanother and to our visitors especially? Will you not resolve to minister ratherthan wait to be ministered unto?

5. An Emphasis onEvangelism

A biblically vibrant church must also emphasise on evangelism. Not only are wetold that 3,000 were added on Pentecost in response to Peter’s preaching, butwe are told that the numbers increased daily: “And the Lord added to thechurch daily such as should be saved” (v. 47b).

Apart from the sovereign grace of God, how was this achieved through theinstrumentality of the Church? I believe it was largely through preaching,which is the main evangelistic arm of the church. But interestingly, accordingto the context of our passage, Luke would have us know that this increase innumbers is closely linked to the warmth of the fellowship between believers inthe church. How is this so? Again we can see it in this passage. We have notedhow the early believers were filled with genuine love, sensitivity and caretowards each other. But what is the result of this? I believe the result isfound at least partly in verse 47. The result is that the church gains “favourwith all the people.” This is a factor which we often neglect, but it is animportant aspect of the church, which is taught by our Lord when He gave thedisciples His new commandment. For He said: “A new commandment I give unto you,That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”(Jn 13:34–35).

Because of the extraordinary love and concern that is exhibited by thebelievers in a biblically vibrant church, unbelievers are attracted to come andtake a look. And some of them may be so deeply touched that they would listenattentively to the Gospel as it is presented whether it is in the church, oroutside when the believers go out to witness in public. There must be somethingabout the Gospel, if it can transform lives so drastically that unfeigned lovebetween members arevisible. It is likely that in this way “the Lordadded to the church daily such as should be saved” (v. 47b).

The emphasis on evangelism is also the reason why we should continue to go outto hand out tracts and invitations in the neighbourhood of the church and ofour members. This is also part of the reason why we are thinking and prayingabout starting an evening service, where the Gospel is preached withsimplicity, so that unbelievers or the uninitiated may benefit more.

6. An Emphasis on theChildren

Finally, the biblically vibrant church must have an emphasis on the children inthe covenant community. Peter tells the inquirers: “the promise is unto you,and to your children” (Acts 2:39). This verse of course speaks much more ofthe covenant family than of children directly, but as children are included inthe covenant family, we are not to neglect our ministry to them. I am referringnot only to infant baptism to incorporate the children into the visiblecovenant community by the sign and seal appointed by the Lord, but also to thechildren’s ministry in the church. In this regard, although it is increasinglypopular in churches to have separate programmes for children during worship, Ipersonally believe rather that they should worship together with thecongregation. Indeed, the children may not be able to understand theproceedings and the sermon, but this is where their fathers will have theresponsibility to instruct and reiterate during family worship on the Sabbathdays. In addition, I am also fully persuaded that children must be trained inthe faith through systematic catechising. The primary role of catechising thechildren, of course, lies with the fathers, but the church should supplement byway of catechism classes. I believe that covenant children who are properlynurtured will most likely grow up to be believers according to the promise ofGod. We must not assume they are regenerate until they are old enough todemonstrate a credible profession of faith. However, as covenant children, theyought to be treated as believers,—taught to pray, to read the Word of God, tosing the songs of Zion,to walk in the straight and narrow way, and to repent of sin and believe in theLord Jesus Christ. Of course, they must also be taught that they are sinners whowill, like us, deserve damnation if we be without Christ. Pray, dear brothersand sisters, for the salvation of the children in our midst.

Conclusion

May the Lord grant us that, as a church, we may not only exhibit the marks ofgenuineness, but of vibrancy. May our sermons not only be faithfully preachedbut carefully heard and attended to. May the teaching ministry of this churchbe given much emphasis so that we have a solid foundation to withstand theshifting winds of errors and heresies. May the Lord grant us that we willworship in spirit and in purity of truth. May He grant that we will grow tolove one another and be willing to lay down our lives for one another as Christso loves us. May He grant us compassionate hearts for the lost to pray forthem, to earnestly witness to them and to lead them to the Lord. May we notforget the covenant children in our midst to nurture them in the fear of theLord that they may be the stalwarts of faith in the next generation should theLord tarry.

—J.J. Lim
 
Part 1 of 2

“Many crowd to get into the church,
but make no room for the sermon to get into them.”
(Thomas Adams)