Ministry Of The Early Church

1. Ministry of the Word of God: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalms 19:7-11

As the early church grew rapidly, some widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. In response, the twelve apostles gathered the believers and explained that they must not neglect the ministry of the Word and prayer in order to oversee practical service. Instead, they instructed the church to choose seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom to manage this responsibility (Acts 6:2–4). The apostles, commissioned by Jesus to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8), understood preaching and teaching God’s Word as their primary calling.

The Greek word diakonia appears in Acts 6:2–4 to describe both serving tables and the ministry of the Word, showing that neither form of service is superior. Rather, ministry roles are assigned according to calling and gifting. While every believer is called to serve, God appoints individuals to different ministries based on their gifts (Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 7:17). When leaders focus on their God-given responsibilities, the church’s spiritual health and growth are protected.

All believers share in the ministry of the Word by confessing Christ (Romans 10:10), being prepared to explain the hope within them (1 Peter 3:15), participating in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–19), sharing truth with one another (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), and using their gifts to serve the body (1 Peter 4:10–11; Ephesians 4:1, 7–8, 11–16). Yet Scripture also identifies a distinct calling for those gifted to preach and teach God’s Word (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:7; 1 Peter 4:11). Because life depends on God’s Word (Matthew 4:4), those entrusted with teaching it must handle it accurately and devote themselves to its study (2 Timothy 2:15; Ezra 7:9–10).

Acts 2:41-44, They continued in Apostolic Teaching

2. The Ministry of Fellowship

The first step of growing in fellowship is to accept Chrost as our Saviour and begins to know who we are in Him.

Secondly, we must know our identity in Christ. Our identity is a direct reflection of our knowledge of God's Word.

The more our identity reflects God and his Word, the more others will witness our spiritual development over time.

The stages of spiritual development for the believer occur in three phases.

A. Spiritual Infancy

B. Spiritual Adolescence

C. Spiritual Adulthood

The world operates in opposition to the person whom God started His work. If we are not careful, wrong alignment will slowly influence the growth of the believer thus disallowing the progress to the next spiritual level. If we are in the church and not growing, we donot want people to know what we really go through. Instead of pursuing growth or instead receiving spiritual support from others, we put ourselves a mask over us or we call it "operate with FAKE ID" hoping we can fake it until we make it.

Various levels of Fellowship of the Early Church

A. Fellowship of Sharing

They felt loved, welcomed and accepted, They cared and helped each other, they were compassionate and communicated.

B. Fellowship of Study

Acts 2:42, they fellowshipped in studying God's Word.

C. Fellowship of Service

They served God in various levels, served in the churches, served in the community. Their were possessed with the spirit of service which was the spirit of Love (Agape).

D. Fellowship of Suffering

Phlippines 3:10-11. The early church also experienced the fellowship of suffering, they borne the pain and burden off others. They experienced joy in their suffering and saw opportunities instead of seeing oppositions. Each stone which was thrown to them, they were not seeing the size of the stone or the pain it caused rather they saw souls in each stones they faced.

Please see what Apostle Paul mentioned about suffering - 2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Colossians 1:24

3. Ministry of Lord's Supper (Ministry of Thanks Giving)

The Lord’s Supper in Five Words

Commemoration

The Lord’s Supper recalls God’s saving acts, fulfilled in Christ’s humble service and sacrifice.

“This do in remembrance of me.” — Luke 22:19

“I have given you an example.” — John 13:15

Thanksgiving

Also called the Eucharist (“giving thanks”), it is a joyful celebration of redemption, even as it remembers Christ’s suffering.

“And when he had given thanks, he brake it.” — 1 Corinthians 11:24

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” — 2 Corinthians 9:15

Fellowship

The Supper is shared at the Lord’s table, expressing unity and communion with Christ and one another.

“We being many are one bread, and one body.” — 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

“They continued steadfastly… in breaking of bread.” — Acts 2:42

Sacrifice

The bread and cup symbolize Christ’s sinless life and atoning death for our salvation.

“This is my body, which is broken for you.” — 1 Corinthians 11:24

“This is my blood… shed for many.” — Matthew 26:28