I think it is good to challenge ourselves by the standards of the early Church. When we consider Acts 4 we see various indicators of what you might expect to find in a gospel church (such as we claim to be). This chapter describes something of the aftermath of the preaching and healing recorded in the previous chapter. Two issues arose among those who opposed them: (1) They were concerned about preaching and teaching about the risen Christ (v2); and, (2) They were concerned about how the lame man was healed (v7). So, what do we see of a gospel church here? Consider the following:

1. There is concern for the message concerning a living Saviour (4:2; 10-12)

It is quite clear that one of the supreme concerns in the apostolic church was the message. What did the message concern?

• It maintained the fact of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (vv2, 10)
• It challenged people to believe the message (v4)
• It made exclusive claims for Jesus in relation to salvation (v12)

The first principle, then, indicated here is to be clear on the message and its application. It has to do with sinners being saved.

2. There is experience of the Holy Spirit (4:8)

It seems quite clear, both in the preaching of Peter (v8) and later in relation to their prayer and witness (31), that a vital element in the witness, boldness and effectiveness of the Church related to the experience of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Beloved, of all things we need in the Church, and our congregation, today, we need Him, the Holy Spirit in His quickening power. Therefore this must be a chief concern for the work of the gospel among us, and we must therefore pray for such an outpouring urgently and pleadingly.

3. There is boldness in standing for the truth (4:13, 19-21)

Yes, it took something, some nerve and iron, some spiritual convictions, some commitment, for the early Christians to stand for the Lord the way they did. No wilting for them. They were prepared to speak the truth and not concede the truth. They were prepared to obey God rather than men (19-20). This was against the commands of the authorities (v18), and the threats of the authorities (v21). I mean, what are we made of? That is the question with which we are challenged today? They trusted in the Lord against such commands and threats. Are we prepared for this? Till we are there is practically little prospect of advance in the Lord’s cause.

4. There is a united concern for prayer (4:24)

This was a feature of life in the post-Pentecostal Church: prayer. The individual believers praying and the believers coming together unitedly for prayer. We have their prayer here (vv24-30). This surely is the key to blessing in the individual and in the Church. We dare not minimise the corporate responsibility resting upon members of a Church. I would say with some conviction that where this fails a church/congregation will fail. I was brought up in a Church in the 50s (Established) in which there were around 1,000 members. However, a prayer meeting was unknown. That was common in Established Churches. At the end of 2009 I heard that the congregation had closed, the remnant of the people being attached to another Church. (In the area I was brought up, with a radius of quarter of a mile or so there were in my young days 8 Church of Scotland congregations, none of whom had a prayer meeting. All are now gone. Salutary, isn’t it?). Whoever heard of a Church without corporate prayer? It is a recipe for spiritual death. 

5. There is active witnessing to the truth (4:33)

This is a vital ingredient of a truly lively church/congregation. We might say, little wonder given what we read in the preceding verses. We notice from verse 31 how such prayer leads both to spiritual power and to boldness in witness. Vital and lively Church life doesn’t just involve believing; it also involves faithful witnessing. This is not easy these days. However, it is necessary if the Church is to flourish. What is needed? “Great grace on us all”!

Lastly, in discerning the marks of a gospel church, we notice,

6. There is a willing commitment to the cause (4:32, 34-37)

We see in these verses how things worked themselves out in the lives of believers then. Whatever the practicalities (or impracticalities for us) one message that comes over loud and clear is: these people were committed to the cause of the Lord; there was no holding back. It is seen as a spiritual outworking of the ‘great grace’ spoken of in verse 33. We are invited the think of church attachment in terms of commitment of time and prayer and witness – and also of our substance. 

Well, there it is. This is a challenge to us as we review our ‘church affairs.’ How do we measure up? And if we say, we fall far short, then our concern will be – as individuals and churches – to seek the Lord so that we might recover and reflect in our day such marks as were so evident in the church in its first flush of youth and enthusiasm.