Zambia Hunt

Have you ever wondered what makes a church truly thrive? Not just survive, but genuinely flourish as a community of believers? The answer might be found in an unexpected place: the very first Christian church in Jerusalem.

The DNA of an Authentic Church

Before we dive in, let’s clarify what we mean by “church.” It’s not just a building or a Sunday gathering. The word comes from “ecclesia” – meaning a called-out assembly. These early believers in Jerusalem were literally called out from their normal walks of life to follow Jesus Christ. They formed what would become the prototype for all future churches.

Five Essential Marks of a Thriving Church

1. Genuine Faith in Action

The Jerusalem church wasn’t a social club – it was a community of genuine believers. Jesus once told a story about different types of soil receiving seeds (Matthew 13:3-9), illustrating how true faith persists and bears fruit. The Apostle John later noted that those who eventually left the church “were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us” (1 John 2:19).

While visitors were always welcome, membership meant something deeper. Paul would later write that there can be no real partnership between light and darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). This wasn’t about exclusivity – it was about maintaining an authentic spiritual community within every local church.

2. Rooted in God’s Word

These early Christians were hungry for truth. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, understanding that spiritual growth requires spiritual nourishment. Peter would later write that believers should “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).

Think of it this way: just as a plant needs sunlight to grow, Christians need the Scriptures to thrive. As Paul wrote, we are “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The prophet Hosea’s warning still rings true: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

3. Real Community, Real Support

Some of the most powerful moments in church life happen during times of both celebration and crisis. How many funerals I have preached in Zambia, and each time the church family surrounded those mourning with such tangible love and support that it became a testimony to the power of genuine Christian fellowship.

This is why the author of Hebrews urges believers not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25). We need each other for spiritual growth and support.

4. Jesus at the Center

At the heart of everything, the early church kept Jesus central. This was especially evident in their celebration of communion, where believers from all walks of life met as equals at the foot of the cross (Ephesians 2:16, Colossians 1:20). The Lord’s Supper isn’t just a  religious observance – it is a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

5. Powered by Prayer

Perhaps the most striking feature of the early church was their commitment to prayer. Someone once said, “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence.” Jesus himself promised to answer prayers offered in His name (John 14:13-14).

Yet today, while special events and performances draw crowds, prayer meetings often attract only the faithful few. The biblical mandate hasn’t changed: we’re called to pray consistently (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:11, Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2).

Bringing It Home

Looking at these five essential marks – genuine faith, biblical teaching, authentic community, Christ-centeredness, and persistent prayer – we might ask ourselves: How does our church experience measure up? Are we just going through the motions, or are we part of something as vibrant and transformative as that first church in Jerusalem?

The principles that guided the early church weren’t just for a specific time and place. They’re timeless markers of a healthy spiritual community. When we embrace these fundamentals, we create space for God to work in powerful ways, just as He did in that first gathering of believers.