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
“Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.” — 1 Corinthians 5:7
Mystery
The Supper points to the mystery of redeeming grace and the future hope of Christ’s return and kingdom.
“Great is the mystery of godliness.” — 1 Timothy 3:16
“Till he come.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26
“Until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” — Matthew 26:29
4. Ministry of Prayer: Acts 2:42
Prayer moved God, changes things, effective prayer accomplished much.
A. They prayed for its leaders Acts 6:6
B. Church prayed for its missionaries Acts 13:3
C. Church prayed for the sick. James 5:14-18
D. Church prayed for it's governing authorities. 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
5. Ministry of Outreach: Acts 5:42
They reached out the lost community around them.
Common Methods of Outreach in the Early Church.
1. Personal Testimony
Early believers shared firsthand encounters with Jesus and the transforming power of the gospel. Testimonies made the message personal and credible, showing faith lived out in real life.
References: Acts 22:6–16; Acts 26:9–23; John 4:39
2. House-to-House Ministry
Homes were primary centers for evangelism, fellowship, and teaching. Hospitality created relational spaces for discipleship and faith formation.
References: Acts 2:46; Acts 5:42; Romans 16:3–5
3. Discipleship
The early church emphasized lifelong obedience to Christ, not just conversion. Mature believers mentored others, ensuring multiplication and spiritual depth.
References: Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 20:20; 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Public Preaching
Apostles boldly proclaimed Christ in synagogues, marketplaces, and public gatherings. Preaching was grounded in Scripture and called for repentance and faith.
References: Acts 2:14–41; Acts 17:16–34; Acts 19:8
5. Festival Participation
Major religious festivals gathered diverse crowds, providing strategic moments for gospel proclamation. Pentecost became a launch point for global mission.
References: Acts 2:1–11; Acts 18:21; Acts 20:16
6. Miracles and Signs
Healings and supernatural signs confirmed the gospel message and opened hearts to faith. These acts pointed to God’s power, not human ability.
References: Acts 3:1–10; Acts 5:12–16; Acts 14:3
7. Letters and Epistles
Written communication strengthened churches, clarified doctrine, and extended evangelistic teaching beyond physical presence.
References: Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:5–8; 2 Peter 3:15–16
8. Parables and Storytelling
Stories communicated spiritual truth in accessible ways, engaging listeners across social and educational levels.
References: Matthew 13:34; Acts 11:19–21
9. Community Living
Radical unity, generosity, and love served as a visible witness to the gospel’s power. The church’s lifestyle attracted outsiders.
References: Acts 2:44–47; Acts 4:32–35; John 13:34–35
10. Engaging All Social Classes
The gospel crossed ethnic, economic, and social boundaries, forming a diverse community united in Christ.
References: Galatians 3:28; Acts 10:34–35; James 2:1–5
11. Martyrdom
Faithful witness in suffering powerfully testified to the truth of the gospel. Persecution often led to greater gospel spread.
References: Acts 7:54–60; Acts 8:1–4; Revelation 12:11
12. Baptism as Witness
Baptism publicly identified believers with Christ and His church, often prompting further gospel conversations.
References: Acts 2:38–41; Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 3:27
13. Prayer and Spiritual Support
Prayer undergirded evangelism, seeking boldness, guidance, and divine power rather than human strategy alone.
References: Acts 4:29–31; Acts 13:2–3; Colossians 4:3–4
14. Use of Common Languages
The gospel was communicated in widely understood languages, ensuring clarity and broad accessibility.
References: Acts 2:6–11; 1 Corinthians 9:22–23
15. Apostolic Leadership
The apostles provided doctrinal authority, missionary direction, and unity during the church’s formative years.
References: Acts 1:8; Acts 15:6–11; Ephesians 2:19–20
6. Ministry of Missions
Early church fulfilled the great commission by selecting, sending, supporting and interceeding for chosen people who were sent outto reach the lost. Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:27; Acts 15:36-40.
The missionary activities of the early Church were fundamental to the global spread of Christianity. This study presents a biblical overview of early Church missions by examining the strategies employed by early missionaries, the challenges they encountered, and the implications of their efforts for contemporary missionary practice. Adopting a historical and descriptive research methodology, the study explores the period between AD 30 and AD 100, beginning with Jesus Christ’s commissioning of the apostles. Early Church missions were characterized by the proclamation of the Gospel, church planting, and the formation of Christian communities across diverse cultural contexts. Missionaries employed effective strategies such as contextualization, the use of local languages, and the development of partnerships within host communities. Despite facing severe challenges—most notably persecution—the early missionaries demonstrated resilience and unwavering commitment, which contributed significantly to the successful spread of Christianity. The study concludes that contemporary missionaries can draw valuable lessons from the early Church by adopting context-sensitive approaches, fostering local partnerships, and remaining attentive to the guidance and empowering work of the Holy Spirit in mission activities.
7. Ministry of Inter-church Fellowship.
The Bible clearly teaches fellowship between local churches, without implying that one church governs another. Paul’s letters provide the clearest examples. In Colossians 4:7–18, Paul sent Tychicus and Onesimus to the church at Colosse to strengthen and encourage them. Various members of the Antioch church also sent greetings and prayers. Paul instructed that the letter to Colosse be read in Laodicea and vice versa, demonstrating mutual care and fellowship among multiple churches. Importantly, this fellowship did not give any church authority over another; Christ alone is the Head of each local church (Rev. 2–3).
Principles of Inter-church Fellowship:
Mutual encouragement and support – Sending messengers, sharing letters, and offering prayer and comfort (Col. 4:7–18; Rom. 16:1–16).
No hierarchical authority – Each local church answers only to Christ; no church directs another in governance (Rev. 2–3).
Agreement as the basis of fellowship – Fellowship requires doctrinal and practical agreement (Amos 3:3).
Separation from error – Churches teaching a perverted gospel or practicing unbiblical worship are not to be embraced in fellowship (Eph. 5:11; Rom. 16:17).
Resolution through counsel, not coercion – Disputes between churches can be resolved by consultation, as seen in Acts 15, where Antioch and Jerusalem sought mutual guidance in truth.
Boundaries of Fellowship:
Churches cannot fellowship those who deny the gospel or persist in doctrinal error.
Ministers teaching contrary doctrine should be “marked and avoided” to protect the simple (Rom. 16:17).
Fellowship strengthens believers but requires vigilance to maintain the purity of the gospel.
Conclusion:
Interchurch fellowship is a biblical practice that encourages, strengthens, and unites believers in truth. It respects the independence of each local church while fostering love, accountability, and cooperative ministry among churches that uphold the true gospel of Christ.
The early church:
A. They expressed inter-dependense
B. They shared in discipleship efforts. Acts 11:26
C. They participated in common relief efforts. Acts 11:27-30
D. They accepted general ecclesiastical decisions. Acts 15:1-31; 16:4
