The Genuine Church - Part 1: Devoted to the Apostles’ Teaching

 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…”

—Acts 2:42a

I began the last post by suggesting that some people move from church to church trying to find one that genuinely fits their ideal of what a church should be.

In response to that phenomenon, I suggested that Scripture offers us a definition of a genuine church.

Dr. Luke records four elements that comprised the early church in Acts 2:42:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The first element is that they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. A genuine body of believers will feel compelled to study God’s Word.

They will not be content to only hear a 15-minute sermon or homily once a week during the worship service they attend. Rather, they will want to pursue a time of corporate Bible study, as well as setting aside time for personal Bible study.

They will give priority to attending worship and these other opportunities to learn about what God has to say to them through His Word. And, they will make a serious and concerted effort to obediently apply the truths they learn in their own lives. Why? Because they are “devoted” to what they are being taught.

In the next blog post, I’ll continue to pursue the four elements of a genuine church. And, of course, by now you realize a genuine church is not a building, nor an institution. It is a group of like-minded believers who gather together in unity and focus.

 

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