The Local Church in the Book of Acts: A Pattern for Today

Christian churches today differ in their approach to leadership. But what is the pattern for church leadership that the Bible shows among first-century believers in the Book of Acts? In looking at ekklēsia, the Greek word most often translated “church” in Acts, we see churches that are locally self-governed and are supported by energized ministers.

One modern Christian writer describes how the early church worked together to carry out God’s will after Jesus Christ ascended. Since Pentecost in 28 A.D., anyone can be born again by confessing with their mouth Jesus as lord and believing that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). We live in a time of God’s grace that began on the day of Pentecost, and the following truths still apply to the church today:

1. Each believer was to be a bold witness of Jesus Christ and to speak God’s Word. When people were born again, more mature Christians continued to nurture and shepherd them until they could spiritually stand on their own.
2. Local home fellowships, called churches, were held in believers’ private homes with a leader spiritually overseeing each church.
3. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers visited and wrote to the local churches, maintaining good communication with other leaders.
4. Christians shared of their abundance to support their own and other local churches, as well as energized ministers.

These four truths are seen when studying the word ekklēsia in the Book of Acts. This word literally means to “call out” and refers to called-out born-again believers twenty times in Acts. Let’s see God’s heart for His church today by studying this word.

The church begins in Jerusalem

Acts 2:47:
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The first use sets the foundation of God adding to the church daily. On Pentecost, the apostles were born again and spoke in tongues, magnifying God. Peter taught those in the Temple area that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and is now lord. After hearing this powerful truth, some asked what they should do. Peter boldly told them how to be saved, and many obeyed.

Acts 2:38-41:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

The church included the “about three thousand souls” that were born again on that day. But who would be the local leadership for this large group of new believers?

Acts 2:42,43:
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine [teaching] and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear [respect] came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

During the ten days between Jesus Christ’s ascension and Pentecost, the twelve apostles and others (about 120 disciples) had been meeting together. The apostles manifested God’s power on Pentecost by speaking in tongues, and they taught others how to be born again and to manifest that power as well. They gave themselves full-time to praying and ministering God’s Word to others. Apostles bring new spiritual light to the generation in which they live. Their ministries were energized to teach the Word of God specifically needed at that time.

Acts 2:44-47:
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The apostles continued to teach God’s Word to support those who continued together daily in the local Temple area and broke bread together from house to house. They were all glad and unified in heart as they praised God for his grace in their lives. No wonder the Lord could add daily to the church!

In Acts 3 and 4, Peter and John along with the other apostles acted as local leaders to meet the challenges that arose in these new churches. They helped with the teaching, fellowship, witnessing, and finances of the local believers with them. When threatened by the Judean religious leaders, they boldly spoke the truth and encouraged the other believers to do the same.

Acts 4:29-31:
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

The apostles even handled spiritual evil within the local church, as when Peter confronted Ananias and Sapphira. The strong example of these local leaders helped to build great respect in the Church.

Acts 5:11:
And great fear [respect] came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

This still refers to the local church at Jerusalem. The believers who heard of these things had great respect for God and His leaders. The next verse says that “by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.” This local church that started with about three thousand believers began to reach other cities outside Jerusalem.

Acts 5:16:
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

 The church moves out to Samaria

Acts 8:1,3:
And Saul was consenting unto his [Stephen’s] death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

This still refers to the local church “which was at Jerusalem.” The apostles, the local leadership there, stayed in Jerusalem to care for the believers after the death of Stephen, a local leader (Acts 6:1-7). They were also in a position to support any new local churches that might develop as the rest of the believers moved out from that city (which was under persecution).  When these believers went into “the regions of Judaea and Samaria,” they began to win others. Philip is a great example of this in Acts 8 when he went to Samaria.

Philip “preached Christ unto them” so that “the people with one accord” believed what he taught, and “there was great joy in that city.” Yet in this very same region where Jesus Christ had witnessed about himself not long before (John 4:40-43), there was now a man named Simon who “used sorcery, and bewitched the people.” The Samaritans thought that Simon was “the great power of God.” His evil spiritual influence made it difficult for the people to receive the fullness of God’s power in their lives. What was Philip to do?

Philip needed the help of apostles (to give understanding about this “new” situation), so Peter and John travelled from the local church at Jerusalem to support a new local church in Samaria. This is an example of how apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers visited the local churches. The apostles in an established local church at Jerusalem moved out to help this new local church in Samaria.

Peter and John resolved the situation with Simon and brought God’s solution to the people there. On the way back to their local church in Jerusalem, they also did the work of evangelists (II Timothy 4:5), for Acts 8:25 says they “returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” God worked in them as energized ministers to meet the needs of the church, including the need to win others.

Similarly, God worked in Philip as an evangelist to win others to Christ. He was still called “Philip the evangelist” years later, ministering from his own home in Caesarea (Acts 21:8).

The term “scattered abroad” in Acts 8:1 is translated from the Greek word diaspeirō, which is only used in the Greek New Testament in the Book of Acts (8:1,4; 11:19). It is used more than sixty times in the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament, and describes people being scattered abroad and dispersed among other nations.

God, the Holy Spirit, worked in Peter and John to go where they needed to go in order to carry out His will.

Later, God worked with Philip to get him to the eunuch. Acts 8:26 says: “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go….” After helping the eunuch, Philip “preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea” (Acts 8:40).  We see God working in him to support existing local churches and build new local churches.

The church gains a new champion

Acts 9 begins with Saul (later called Paul) being born again, and shows how he got help from a local believer in Damascus named Ananias. Paul then continued with the disciples in Damascus and began to teach Christ. He went to the disciples in Jerusalem and was introduced to the local leadership there (the apostles) by Barnabas.

Galatians 1:18 says that Paul “went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.” Here was Paul, a “younger” minister, seeking the help of Peter, a mature and experienced energized minister, who lived in Jerusalem. This is an example of God working in a young minister to get needed help from a mature minister. Paul also met with James on this trip (Galatians 1:19), but none of the other apostles.

Paul then decided to go to Tarsus, as God worked in him and other believers. The scripture in Acts 9:29 and 30 shows that it was the brethren who were aware of threats on Paul’s life and who “brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.” They supported Paul along the way to get him to a safe place where he could minister effectually.

The next use of ekklēsia shows the growth of churches around Jerusalem in Galilee and Samaria. The local churches had peace as they walked in the respect of the Lord and the spiritual encouragement they received.

Acts 9:31:
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear [respect] of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

The church reaches out to the Gentiles

Acts 9 and 10 show Peter ministering in Joppa and going to see Cornelius in Caesarea. Peter reached out from his local area of Jerusalem and won others to stand in their local areas.  This is an example of an energized minister going where he was needed. Peter let the local leaders in Jerusalem know about his reaching out to the Gentiles. As God worked individually in energized ministers, it was important for them to maintain good communications with each other. The same is true today.

The church at Jerusalem was the original local church since Pentecost and reached out to neighboring areas to build local churches there.

Acts 11:19-21:
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

There were now local churches starting up in Antioch and other areas. The leaders in Jerusalem decided to support these new churches that they had started with their local outreach efforts. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers were needed to support these new churches. So they sent them a trusted leader, Barnabas.

Acts 11:22:
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

When Barnabas got to Antioch, God worked in him to bring Paul along for the work there.

Acts 11:26:
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Paul and Barnabas were effective local ministers who for a whole year set an example and taught much people there. God worked in other ministers to support this new local church in Antioch, according to verse 27: “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.” Once again, God worked in church leaders to visit areas that needed their help.

One of these leaders, Agabus, received revelation on an upcoming need that would affect the church at Jerusalem. The believers in Antioch responded to Agabus and sent Barnabas and Paul to bring relief to the local Jerusalem churches. Here is a great example of one local church helping another local church as God worked in local ministers to keep the believers informed of genuine needs in the church.

The believers in Antioch were also thankful for what the local church at Jerusalem had previously done for them in sending Barnabas. Now they saw that they could support the need of another local fellowship, just as that local Jerusalem fellowship had helped them. This is an example of what Paul later wrote to the Corinthians.

II Corinthians 8:14:
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.

The believers in Jerusalem continued to face persecution.

Acts 12:1:
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

Certain of the church at Jerusalem were under attack. This was the city where Herod and other religious leaders had stood against Jesus Christ and later the apostles. James the son of Zebedee had been killed, and now Peter was put in prison to await a similar fate.

Acts 12:5:
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

The local believers in Jerusalem prayed for Peter, their local leader, and he was miraculously delivered from prison.  The rest of Acts 12 shows the local Jerusalem church overcoming attacks so that “the word of God grew and multiplied.” It concludes with Barnabas and Paul going back to their local church in Antioch after having helped the local church at Jerusalem. They also brought another believer, John Mark, to help them in Antioch.

The church in Antioch reaches out

Acts 13:1:
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13 shows some of the local leadership at Antioch of Syria. Acts 13:1 says “there were in the church that was at Antioch…” They were local leaders who were there because God wanted them there. The next three verses show how God worked with these local leaders.

Acts 13:2-4:
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost [God] said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost [God], departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

These men in Antioch had genuine ministries, and God worked mightily in them at a local level.

This section in Acts 13 and 14 shows the local effect of ministers. Paul and Barnabas went to Seleucia, Cyprus, and Salamis. On Salamis, they went “through the isle unto Paphos” and ministered to Sergius Paulus there. They then went to “Perga in Pamphylia” and later “came to Antioch in Pisidia.”

They were sent from the local church in Antioch of Syria and were now helping to set up local churches in these other cities, including the “other” Antioch. After winning disciples and facing life-and-death persecution there, Paul and Barnabas “came unto Iconium.”

From there they went to preach the gospel at “Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia” and the region around them. Finally, they returned to Syria, stopping at the new local churches along their way home.

Acts 14:21-23:
And when they had preached the gospel to that city [Derbe], and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch [in Pisidia],
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.
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.

Paul and Barnabas trusted God for the best local leaders in each local church. Then they commended them to the Lord. They did not trust in themselves, but in God.

Acts 14:27:
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Arriving back home in Antioch of Syria, Paul and Barnabas shared with their local church all that God had done for them. They shared with this local church about the new local churches they helped set up.

Imagine how the local ministers mentioned in Acts 13:1, as well as the local believers, would have rejoiced at this news.  Paul and Barnabas “abode long time with the disciples.” They ministered among their beloved local fellow Christians in Antioch.

 The church works out a problem

Acts 15 picks up with a problem in the local Jerusalem church that was affecting other local churches. It was that certain men came down to Antioch “from Judaea” and spoke contrary to the truth of God’s Word.

Acts 15:2:
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension [not a few instances of standing on the truth against the false doctrine that was brought in] and disputation [a mutual questioning and discussion; they talked things over] with them.

After this open discussion, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them “should go up to Jerusalem [where the trouble had come to Antioch from] unto the apostles and elders about this question.”

This problem had been originated by men who had come down from Jerusalem. So the local leaders in Antioch needed to talk to the local leaders in Judea about this problem. They also went there because that’s where the most mature ministers lived who could help find a solution that would benefit the whole church. The apostles and elders at Jerusalem were the most qualified to handle this situation.

Paul went up (by revelation) to Jerusalem on another occasion, according to Galatians 2:2: “And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.” Paul went there to make sure he “had not run in vain.” These local leaders had great meekness and mutual respect. This meeting at Jerusalem shows the clear, two-way communication needed among leaders.

Acts 15:3:
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

It is beautiful to see how the new local churches supported these travelers from Antioch on their way to Jerusalem.

Acts 15:4:
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

The local delegation from Antioch shared with the local leaders in Jerusalem what God had done in their local Antioch church. During this time at Jerusalem, God worked in leaders from both local churches to share what they knew from God’s written Word and from God working in them.

This included Peter, Barnabas and Paul, and James. These leaders from both local areas met together, reached an agreement, and then sent out a common letter to inform the believers in all local churches on what they understood God’s will to be.

Note that after listening to all and quoting from the Prophet Amos, James gave a final decision with which everyone agreed.  It seems that he had sufficient authority to put forth this statement.  Of course, if people didn’t agree, there could have been further discussion until a satisfactory conclusion was reached.

It is sad to note that years later, at the time of Acts 21:20, James was pleased with those “which believe; and they are all zealous of the law.” Such legalism was very different from how leaders worked together in Acts 15.

Acts 15:22:
Then pleased it [seemed proper to] the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

The word ekklēsia means “called out.” Here the leaders from Antioch and Judea were united as a “called out” group. It seemed proper to the whole church to do this. That required communication between the local churches, but not control over any local church by another.

Galatians 2:1-10 also refers to the council at Jerusalem.

Galatians 2:9:
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Such mutual believing and respect shows the outcome of the Jerusalem council. The energized ministers there had a generally agreed upon plan for doing God’s will. This was an answer to a big problem in the church.

The leaders at this meeting sent Judas and Silas, local ministers, along to deliver the letter. Why did God pick those two to go?

Acts 15:31,32:
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

True Christian ministers are a gift to the church, given when Christ “ascended up on high” (Ephesians 4:8 and 11).  As prophets, Judas and Silas exhorted and confirmed the believers.  Paul joined up with Silas and they went to help the local churches in Syria and Cilicia to stand strong on the truth of God’s Word.

Acts 15:41:
And he [Paul with Silas] went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

On that trip, they went back to Derbe. While there Paul took Timothy along with him and Silas. Then “they went through the cities” and delivered what “the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem” had decided upon.

The apostles and elders who had met at Jerusalem agreed as a group of local church leaders on what to do—after they had taken the time and effort to engage in much discussion. The result of this was a strengthening of the local churches and growth among the believers.  This was an encouragement from local leaders to do the will of God as they provided practical help and advice.

Acts 16:5:
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

The church grows among the nations

The next five verses describe how God worked with Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

Acts 16:6-10:
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

God showed these local ministers new areas where they could speak God’s Word. They obeyed, and Paul was able to minister in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.  More than half of the seven Church Epistles written by Paul were sent to the new local churches set up during this trip: Philippians, Thessalonians (I & II), and Corinthians (I & II).

From Corinth, Paul went to Ephesus. Sailing from there some time later, Paul continued on his journey. He went to Caesarea and to his beloved local church in Antioch.

Acts 18:22,23:
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

Paul had a heart to encourage and support the local fellowships as a good minister of Jesus Christ. This is an example of a genuinely energized minister of God who supported the local fellowships as God worked in him to do so. That is why ministers need to be trained in our churches today: so that they can help the local believers where they need to be supported.

Paul next spent time in Ephesus and built strong leadership within the local church there. Afterward, he decided to go to visit Jerusalem and help the Judean believers that he loved in that local fellowship.

He brought financial support provided by the freewill giving of local believers in Macedonia and Achaia (Romans 15:25-28). According to Philippians 4:10-19, the believers in Philippi gave their offerings directly to Paul to support his ministering elsewhere.

The church is encouraged to continue in God’s grace

On his way to Jerusalem, Paul called for the local Ephesian leaders so that he could speak with them.

Acts 20:17:
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

This teaching included an exhortation to take care of the local believers, the “flock” that God had given these leaders to shepherd. There is one final use of the Greek word ekklēsia in the Book of Acts.

Acts 20:28,32:
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost [God] hath made you overseers, to feed [do the work of a shepherd for] the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood [by giving His only begotten Son to die for us].
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

The final use of  “church” exhorts local leaders to shepherd the church, the called-out, of God. Our heavenly Father purchased the church with the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church. As an energized minister, Paul commended those local leaders to God and to His Word of grace.

What should the church do today?

God’s Word gives a clear example to the church today. The Book of Acts shows that each local church is to care for its own people with a local leader to supervise and care for them. Ministers in the Body of Christ are to visit these local fellowships and strengthen them with God’s Word as God works mightily in those ministers.

Looking at the “churches” in the Book of Acts we see the following:

1. Each believer was to be a bold witness of Jesus Christ and to speak God’s Word. When people were born again, more mature Christians continued to nurture and shepherd them until they could spiritually stand on their own.
2. Local home fellowships, called churches, were held in believers’ private homes with a leader spiritually overseeing each church.
3. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers visited and wrote to the local churches, maintaining good communication with other leaders.
4. Christians shared of their abundance to support their own and other local churches, as well as energized ministers.

Some key points can be noted about God’s desire for local witnessing, fellowship, leadership, and finances:

• One prominent feature seen in Acts is the operation of energized ministries that are directed by God. There is a need to work together as believers in order to communicate with each other as part of the process of getting the right ministries to the right places at the right times.  Acts shows us a strong communication network between leaders. With this framework, God worked in the local church leaders and in the energized ministers who visited and wrote to them.
• Mature ministers supported those “younger” in their spiritual walk. More seasoned leaders can provide a source of help by way of sound Biblical thinking and teaching to support the local churches’ activities.
• We also see finances used locally to meet the needs of local believers. God worked in local churches to support themselves, traveling ministers, and other local churches that were in need.

With the true local perspective of the church, along with the support of energized ministers, we can encourage individual believers to boldly speak God’s Word as witnesses for Jesus Christ, fellowship in their homes, and share of their abundance where needed.