Functions of the Church

(Based on ACTS 2: 37-47)

1. Announcing the Kingdom: (V. 37) On the Day of the Pentecost Peter announced the kingdom which pricked the hearts of the people and they asked what shall we do?

2. Repentance and Baptism: (V. 38) Peter asked everyone to repent and be baptized and 3000 men obeyed. No one can enter into the kingdom without repentance which is to be followed immediately by baptism. No professional priests are required as every believer is a royal priest. According to Jewish custom, women baptized each other with two believers acting as witnesses. Christianity is a Christ oriented peoples’ movement and all believers are ordained by the Holy Spirit to disciple, baptize and serve the Lords Supper. (John 15:16; Mark 16:16)

3. Baptism of the Holy Spirit : (V. 38,39) Peter informed that everyone will receive the Holy Spirit, which is not just for Sunday morning service but for transformation of a. Oneself, b. The household and c. The community.

4. Apostolic Teaching: (V.42) Fivefold ministry gifted teachers, equip the saints (who have covenanted with God with a sacrifice) for apostolic “Go Ministry” making them productive disciples. (Eph. 4:12-13; Ps 50:5)

5. Fellowship: (V.42) Unity among believers is the secret of church growth and multiplication. Submit to ‘one another’, love ‘one another’, pray for ‘each other’; wash each other’s feet. ‘One-another’ comes over 50 times in the NT. (John 13:14; Eph. 4:3-6; 5:21; Jam. 5:16)

6. Eat Together: (V.42,46,47) Yeshua fed His disciples roast lamb, bitter herbs, bread and wine for the Last Supper. His followers brought seekers from the temple to disciple them, broke bread from house to house, shared the whole wisdom of God and the Lord added to their numbers daily. (1 Cor. 11:20; Acts 20:7,11)

7. Intercession: (V.42) Pray kingdom prayers with one accord to the Lord of harvest for the laborers. Prayer Walk, tear down the strongholds, set captives free, bless all the families until you find ‘House of Peace’ and turn it into a discipling hub. (Matt. 12:29; Luke 10:2, 5-6)

8. Signs and Wonders: (V.43) Yeshua has sent you with power and authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and then announce and demonstrate the kingdom with infallible signs. (Matt. 10:7-8; Acts 1:3)

9. Share Your Material Blessings: (V. 44-45) with each other so that no one lacks anything among you, especially the apostles (the sent ones). (Acts 4:32-34)

10. Fishing: (V.46): Disciples went fishing at the temple where all the fish gathered at the hour of prayer, brought them home and discipled them on their dining tables, the best place for discipling the nations. (Acts 3:1; 20:20,28)

11. Multiply: (V.47) In a multiplying household, there are providers, home makers and others in different stages of growth and maturity. Each contributes according to their gifts, talents and abilities. Non-biblical accretions like denomination, clergy, rituals, liturgy, tithe and passive listening destroy relationships resulting in a disoriented and dysfunctional household of God. (1Cor. 12:12-28)