'28' - Day 12

Acts 12 tells an awesome story of Peter being miraculously rescued from prison by an angel. Great story. But, it’s important to understand WHY that happened. At the heart of “why” was “the church” who “was earnestly praying to God for him.”

What is “the church”?

The Greek word ekklesia (church) refers to “a meeting of people called out and summoned together; the congregation of God’s people in Christ, who come together as citizens of God’s kingdom for the purpose of worshipping God.” The word church can refer to a local church or the universal church.

So, one may ask, what makes a church, the church? I’m glad you asked!

1.  The church must consist of people, united by the Holy Spirit, seeking a faithful personal relationship with Jesus Christ.


2. Through its POWERFUL witness, sinners will be saved, born again, baptized in water and added to the church; they will partake of the Lord ’s Supper and await Christ’s return.


3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit will be preached and communicated to new believers.


4. The Holy Spirit’s gifts (including wonders, miraculous signs, and healings) will be operational in the church.


5. Believers will drive out demons.


6. There will be absolute loyalty to the gospel.


7. The congregation will meet weekly to worship God and edify each other.


8. The church will stand in humility, awe, and fear before the presence of a holy God.


9. There will be observable love and fellowship in the Spirit among the members.


10. The church will be a praying and fasting church.


11. Believers will separate themselves from the prevailing world view and culture.


12. There will be suffering, affliction and persecution because of the world and its ways.


13. The church will actively help send missionaries to other lands.

Wow! Do you know a church like that? Are we really meeting and following those standards? What can you do to BE the church?