Acts 2:40–42: And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
I have a little booklet called the Spiritual Fingerprints of the Visible Church. How can you identify a real church? Notice the four marks of identification. First, They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. The mark of a church is not the height of the steeple nor the sound of the bell. It is not whether the pulpit is stationed in the middle or the chancel is divided. The important issue is whether or not they hold to the apostles’ doctrine. Correct doctrine was one of the fingerprints of the visible church. Secondly, fellowship. They were sharing the things of Christ. The third, breaking of bread. Breaking of bread is more than just going through the ritual of the Lord’s Supper. It means being brought into a fellowship and a relationship with Christ. The fourth, prayers. I’m afraid in the average church today it is a little fingerprint. Prayer is the evident weakness of the church. Actually, the greatest asset of any church is prayer. 1
Your Word is Truth
Prayer is missing. How do I know that? Because the power of the Holy Spirit is missing. It is missing in marriages, in the call to parenting, and in the call to pastoring. People are far too carnal. Self is overflowing instead of the love of the Holy Spirit. Pastors are under great attack because men are not being the spiritual gatekeepers. People are comforting the carnal instead of upholding the spiritual. Let’s pray with greater frequency. Let’s pray with greater longevity. Let’s pray boldly. Let’s start attending the weekly prayer meetings with some faithful constancy. Once is better than never.
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. –Colossians 4:2
You Alone are God
Being steadfast in prayer is the key to a long and fruit career as a Christian. – TWEET IT
Your Will be Done
Lord, thank You for such a powerful way in which You began the church through prayer.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Church History (Acts 1-14) (electronic ed., Vol. 40). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
