Reclaiming The Blueprint Series

There is a growing sense among believers today that something essential is missing. We attend church services, participate in programs, and go through the motions of faith, yet we long for the vibrancy, the power, and the authentic community described in the book of Acts. It’s like we have inherited a grand house, but somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the original blueprint—the design given by Jesus to His followers, a vision that changed the world.

The early church in Acts was not merely an institution; it was a movement. They were a Spirit-filled, mission-driven community that lived out the Gospel in a way that impacted everyone around them. They didn’t just attend church; they were the church. Their lives were devoted to the teachings of Jesus, their fellowship was deep and genuine, and their worship was passionate and Spirit-led. They were united, generous, and courageous, and their lives were marked by the undeniable power of God. They turned the world upside down, not with clever strategies or worldly wisdom, but by living out the simple yet profound principles laid out by Jesus. Their impact was undeniable, and the Lord added to their number daily.

Today, God is calling us back to that original blueprint. We are not called to be a complacent, comfortable community. We are not called to maintain the status quo or to blend into the culture around us. We are called to stand out, to be a light in the darkness, to be a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. Reclaiming the blueprint means rediscovering the heart of what it means to be the church—a living, breathing body of believers who are devoted to God, to one another, and to the mission He has given us. It’s a call to go beyond the ordinary and to step into the extraordinary. It’s a call to be the church that Jesus envisioned, to be His hands and feet in a broken world, and to carry His message of hope and redemption to all who will hear.

1. Return to Devotion

The early church was marked by devotion. Acts 2:42 tells us that they “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” These were not casual pursuits; they were the bedrock of their faith. These practices were not squeezed into their busy schedules; they were the priority around which their entire lives revolved. The word “stedfastly” conveys a sense of determination, persistence, and unwavering commitment. They weren’t half-hearted; they were all in. This kind of devotion was the foundation of everything they did, and it’s the first aspect of the blueprint that we must reclaim.

Devotion to the apostles’ doctrine meant a relentless pursuit of the truth of God’s Word. They didn’t simply gather out of obligation or habit; they gathered because they were hungry to hear from God. The apostles’ teaching was centered on the life, ministry, and words of Jesus, and it became the lens through which they viewed every aspect of life. They didn’t just want knowledge; they wanted transformation. Their commitment to the apostles’ teaching was about more than information; it was about allowing the truth of Scripture to penetrate their hearts, to shape their character, and to guide their actions. They were a community that was constantly learning, growing, and deepening their understanding of who Jesus was and what He had called them to be.

Fellowship was not merely a social activity; it was a sacred bond. The early church understood that they were more than individuals with a shared faith—they were a family, knit together by the love of Christ. This fellowship was not superficial; it was deep, authentic, and life-giving. They shared their joys and their struggles, their successes and their failures. They rejoiced together, they wept together, and they carried one another’s burdens. Their fellowship was a powerful witness to the world because it was rooted in love—a love that was sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional. It was in the context of this fellowship that they broke bread, sharing meals that were more than sustenance; they were moments of communion, of remembering Christ’s sacrifice, and of celebrating their unity in Him.

Prayer was not a ritual; it was the lifeline of the early church. They didn’t pray occasionally or when it was convenient; they prayed constantly, fervently, and with expectancy. They understood that they were dependent on God for everything, and their prayers reflected a deep trust in His power, His provision, and His presence. Prayer was not a last resort; it was their first response. It was in prayer that they sought God’s guidance, His wisdom, and His strength. It was through prayer that they experienced His comfort, His healing, and His peace. Reclaiming the blueprint means returning to this kind of devotion—a wholehearted commitment to God’s Word, to deep fellowship, and to prayer that flows from a place of intimacy with God.