Signs Of A Healthy Church

Signs Of A Healthy Church

“And they continued stedfastly...”

Acts 2:42

The Church is NOT just an organization like any other one you might find in the world.  It is a LIVING ORGANISM.  The church is a living body established in Acts 2. The term Pentecostal is not just another denomination, it is a way of life.  Jesus came to give us a more abundant life; an overflowing life.     Jesus said, “...Upon this rock I will build my church...” (Matthew 16:18)  The word “church” comes from the Greek word, “ecclesia” which means “called out ones.”  The church is people. 

In our studies we will establish that only God can cause the church to grow.  Every living thing is designed to grow.  Growth is a normal result of life.  If living things do not grow, they are not healthy.

In this lesson we will look at signs of a healthy, growing church.  These signs will be given in more detail later. We will also make a comparison between these ten signs of a healthy church and our physical bodies.  When a child is born the parents usually look for signs to verify that their baby is healthy.  This is also done in the spiritual realm.

1.  Emphasis must be on the salvation experience.

Þ     Acts 2:37-38

Þ     Acts 20:20-21

New Testament preaching will produce New Testament results.

Just as we have children the Lord also wants us to produce spiritual babies.  The only way this can happen is when the church puts the emphasis on the salvation of souls.  In order for there to be growth there must be the planting of the seed.  When we look at John 3:5 and Acts 2:38 we see that we must be born of water (baptism in Jesus name) and born of the Spirit (baptism of the Holy Spirit).

2. Commitment to the Word of God as the final authority in doctrine and life.

Þ     Acts 2:42

Þ     Acts 6:4

Þ     Acts 15:13-16

When the Word of God is preached and obeyed, the natural response is growth (Acts 6:7). Acts 15:13,16 confirms that a healthy church will be supported by the Word of God.

3. Regular Study and Reading of God’s Word.

Þ     Acts 2:42

Þ     2 Timothy 2:15

Þ     2 Timothy 3:16-17

If a child wants to grow he/she must eat.  We too must eat the Bread of Life which is the Word of God (which is Jesus Christ Himself)  (John 6:48; John 1:1; John 14:6). God does not want the church to remain on milk but to regularly study (eat the meat) and grow (Hebrews 5:12-14).

4.  Effective Spiritual Leadership.

Þ     Acts 4:13

5.  Practical Holiness.

Þ     1Thessalonians 3:12-13

Þ     I Thessalonians 4:7-8

Þ     I Timothy 2:8-10

6.  Mobilized membership for evangelism.

Þ     Acts 1:8

Þ     Acts 8:4

Þ     Acts 11:19-21

Growth requires movement! How does one grow physically? By eating and exercising.  Once we have digested the Word of God into our hearts and minds, then we need to exercise the Kingdom Power!

7. Fellowship, love, unity, and sharing among members.

Þ     Acts 2:42-45

Þ     Acts 4:34-35

8.  Prayer

Þ     Acts 2:42

Þ     Acts 4:24

Þ     Acts 4:31

Þ     Acts 12:5-11

In Acts 12 we see that Peter was in prison and the church prayed. A praying church is a powerful church.

9. Infilling of the Holy Spirit, and power for service.

Þ     Acts 4:31-33

10.  Endurance in Persecution.

Þ     Acts 5:27-31, 41, 42

Þ     Acts 14:21-23

Þ     James 1:12

Þ     2 Timothy 2:3

Þ     Matthew 24:13

A sign at a Barber Shop stated, “Everything that grows, changes.”  While this sign was talking about men’s hair turning white, and also falling out, the same principle applies to the church. 

A growing church goes through many changes.  As a leader we must identify these changes and also grow with them.