What Did They Do?
1. Regular Worship and Teaching (Acts 2:42-47)
They met daily in the temple courts and in homes.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread (communion), and prayer.
2. Practiced Communal Living and Generosity (Acts 4:32-35)
Believers shared their possessions and ensured no one was in need.
Wealthy members, like Barnabas, sold property to support others.
Ananias and Sapphira’s story (Acts 5) illustrates the seriousness with which honesty and community integrity were upheld.
3. Evangelism and Growth (Acts 2:41, 3:1-10, 5:42)
Peter’s sermon at Pentecost led to 3,000 baptisms in one day.
The apostles continued preaching in the temple and throughout Jerusalem, adding to their numbers daily.
4. Signs, Wonders, and Miracles (Acts 3:1-10, 5:12-16)
The apostles, particularly Peter and John, performed healings and other miracles, which validated their message.
Miraculous signs drew crowds and confirmed the power of the Holy Spirit.
5. Faced Persecution with Boldness (Acts 4:1-31, 5:17-42)
The Sanhedrin arrested and threatened Peter and John, but they continued preaching.
Stephen was the first martyr, and persecution under Saul (Paul) later scattered the believers, spreading the gospel further.
6. Cared for the Poor and Vulnerable (Acts 6:1-6)
Appointed seven men (including Stephen) to oversee the distribution of food to widows.
Generosity and charity were core aspects of their daily practice.
📖 What Did They Believe?
1. Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God (Acts 2:36)
They believed Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled Old Testament prophecies as the Messiah.
His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension confirmed His divine identity and mission.
2. Salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12)
They taught that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus, not through adherence to the Law alone.
Repentance, baptism, and belief in Jesus' resurrection were central to salvation.
3. The Resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:22, 2:32)
The resurrection was the cornerstone of their faith.
They preached that Jesus' resurrection was evidence of God's victory over sin and death.
4. The Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3)
Jesus taught them about the Kingdom of God before His ascension.
They believed Jesus' reign had begun spiritually but expected a future, more complete fulfillment.
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)
They experienced the Holy Spirit’s power firsthand at Pentecost.
The Spirit empowered them for ministry, gave spiritual gifts, and provided boldness to preach.
6. Jesus' Return (Acts 1:11)
They lived with the expectation that Jesus would return, though they did not know when.
7. Continuity with Judaism (Acts 3:1, 21:20)
The early believers continued to observe Jewish practices like temple worship, dietary laws, and festivals.
However, they viewed these practices through the lens of Jesus' fulfillment of the Law.
🗣️ What Did They Teach?
1. Repentance and Baptism (Acts 2:38)
Peter’s first sermon called people to repent and be baptized in Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sins.
Baptism symbolized cleansing, unity with Christ’s death and resurrection, and entry into the community of believers.
2. Jesus' Death and Resurrection as Fulfillment of Scripture (Acts 3:18, 17:2-3)
They connected Jesus' life, death, and resurrection with Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 53, Psalm 22).
Peter, Stephen, and others often referenced the Hebrew Scriptures to show Jesus was the promised Messiah.
3. The Universal Scope of the Gospel (Acts 10:34-35, 15:7-11)
Though initially focused on Jews, the Jerusalem church, led by Peter’s vision and interaction with Cornelius, recognized that Gentiles could receive salvation without converting to Judaism.
4. Ethical and Moral Living (Acts 5:1-11, 15:20)
Integrity, honesty, and moral purity were emphasized.
The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) instructed Gentile believers to abstain from idolatry, sexual immorality, and consuming blood.
5. Jesus' Lordship and Coming Judgment (Acts 10:42)
They proclaimed Jesus as both Savior and Judge, calling people to prepare for His return.
The apostles warned against rejecting Jesus, emphasizing His authority over all creation.
6. Unity and Love (Acts 4:32, John 13:35)
Love for one another and unity in Christ were marks of the church’s identity.
They were known for their compassion, generosity, and commitment to one another.
🌱 Key Figures in the Jerusalem Church
Peter: Preached boldly, performed miracles, and opened the door to Gentiles (Acts 10).
John: Partnered with Peter in ministry and later wrote letters emphasizing love and truth.
James (the brother of Jesus): Became the leader of the Jerusalem church and presided over the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).
Stephen: A powerful preacher and the first martyr for the faith (Acts 6–7).
Barnabas: A generous encourager who supported Paul and early Gentile believers.
⚖️ The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)
The Jerusalem church faced a major doctrinal challenge when Gentiles began to join the faith.
Some Jewish believers insisted Gentiles must follow Mosaic Law, including circumcision.
Peter, Paul, and James affirmed that salvation came through grace alone and that Gentiles were not required to fully adopt Jewish customs.
The council's decision opened the way for the gospel to spread more broadly among Gentiles.
Conclusion
The Jerusalem church laid the foundation for Christian faith and practice. They upheld the central truths of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection while navigating the transition from Jewish tradition to a new, universal covenant. Their devotion, unity, and boldness in proclaiming the gospel despite persecution serve as an enduring example of early Christian faithfulness.