New Testament Church 1: what You Need To Know About The Jerusalem Church

 

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

Ever before Jesus died, he told Peter right in the presence of his other disciples that he would build his church on the rock (Peter), which would be the new testament church.

Just as he said, after his resurrection, the church at Jerusalem was initiated by Peter on the day of Pentecost. 

To the glory of God, the church started with an attendance of 3,000 new converts. Thereafter, the Jerusalem Church grew in an astronomical manner, not just through the hands of Peter, but also through the hands of Paul who started his act of persecution right from the same Church.

Had it not been for the persecution of Saul, the new testament church at Jerusalem wouldn’t have grow as everyone seemed contented staying at the newly found church. 

Saul imprisoned, bit and killed a lot of Christians. In fact, he didn’t target the worship time alone, he went to the houses of Christians to arrest them…

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, ENTERING EVERY HOUSE, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Acts 8:3

All of that took place after the killing of Stephen. The fear of being killed by this same man made everyone in the church at Jerusalem to run for their lives. Only the 12 apostles stayed back…

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, EXCEPT THE APOSTLES.

Acts 8:1

The New Testament Headquarter Church

In no time, the new testament church became the headquarter as others who left Jerusalem due to the persecution preached and won souls for Christ so much that new churches were started. 

As Philip ran to Samaria (Acts 8:5), several other disciples ran to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch (Acts 11:20). 

While the exploit of Philip led to a new branch church at Samaria, the exploits of others led to new churches at Antioch and in several other places. 

As soon as new branches started springing up in several nations, the new testament church at Jerusalem took over its responsibilities as the headquarter by sending apostles to them: to guide, preach and impart the holy spirit into them. 

Just as Jesus told them to spread the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth but starting at Jerusalem, so has it happened, concurrently, from Jerusalem to Judea (Acts 9:3) to Samaria and to some parts of the earth, even though it was brought about by persecution which they never expected.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in JERUSALEM, and in all JUDEA and SAMARIA, and TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”

Acts 1:8

Since the Jerusalem Church had been accepted by all as their headquarter, James the brother of Jesus, became the head of the church and was responsible for the decision making of important matters and also responsible for the selection of apostles to visit other branches as stated earlier. 

Peter who initiated the church was sent alongside John by James and other apostles to visit the new converts at Samaria based on the report and workings of Philip. 

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

Acts 8:14

Likewise, Barnabas who helped convincing the church that Saul was genuinely converted (Acts 9:27) after he came back to Jerusalem as everyone ran away from him — escaping death from the hands of people in Damascus — was sent to Antioch.

Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

Acts 11:22 

As God grew the church at Jerusalem through the hands of Peter, he grew the church at Samaria through the hands of Philip and grew the church in the uttermost part of the earth through the hands of Paul who started the persecution of the new testament church. 

Due to the way the headquarter church welcomed all and sundry, it enabled all the branches spread across several nations to report all their activities to it through the hands of the apostles sent unto them.

And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

Acts 21:17

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:4

Appointment of Church Leaders

The headquarter church chose Paul and Barnabas to appoint leaders in the new churches spread across several nations. In other words, almost all the church leaders you will find in your Bible were appointed by the two people mentioned. 

From Lystra to Antioch, they appointed leaders to take over the affairs of the church….

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

The knowledge of appointing church leaders over the years, through the help and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, was what enabled Paul to orientate the church at Corinth on the leadership hierarchy of it. That among the church leaders as stated by him in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cortinthians 12:28) the first should always be 

1. Apostles

2. Prophets

3. Teachers

4. Miracle workers

5. Healing ministers

6. Helpers

7. Church administrators

8. Speakers of new tongues and

9. Interpreters of new tongues.

MAY THE LORD CONTINUE TO HELP HIS CHURCH GROW.