There is something deeply compelling about reading the book of Acts and seeing the church in its earliest days. The gospel was spreading, lives were being transformed, believers were praying with boldness, communities were being formed around Jesus Christ, and ordinary men and women were willing to risk everything to make Him known. When we compare that picture with much of modern Christianity, it is easy to wonder: What happened?

The contrast can feel dramatic. The first-century church often appears courageous while the modern church can appear cautious. They seemed willing to sacrifice while we are frequently tempted to protect our comfort. They proclaimed truth in hostile environments while we sometimes struggle to speak clearly when biblical convictions become unpopular. They appeared consumed with the mission of Christ while churches today can become consumed with preferences, programs, personalities, politics, traditions, and internal disagreements.

But we should begin with an important qualification. The first-century church was not perfect.

The New Testament itself makes that clear. There were disagreements over food distribution in Acts 6. Peter had to be confronted by Paul because of his behavior toward Gentile believers in Galatians 2. The Corinthian church struggled with sexual immorality, lawsuits, division, pride, spiritual gifts, and disorder in worship. Philippians reveals tension between believers. Revelation 2–3 records Jesus correcting several churches for serious spiritual failures.

The early church was not powerful because its people were flawless.

It was powerful because Jesus Christ was central, the Holy Spirit was at work, the Word of God was proclaimed, believers were willing to repent, and the mission of making disciples was greater than their desire to remain comfortable.

That is the part of the first-century church that desperately needs to happen again.

When Christ Has the Preeminence

Perhaps the greatest question facing the modern church is not whether our worship is traditional or contemporary, whether our buildings are large or small, or whether our programs are impressive. The greatest question is much simpler:

Does Jesus Christ actually have the preeminence?

Colossians 1:18 describes Christ as the head of the church and teaches that He is to have first place in everything. That means the church does not ultimately belong to pastors, elders, denominations, families, boards, longtime members, or influential personalities.

The church belongs to Jesus.

Yet churches can gradually become centered around almost anything except Christ. A congregation can become centered around a particular personality. Another may become known primarily for its political positions. Another may become consumed with maintaining traditions. Another may build its identity around a worship style. Another may become obsessed with programs, facilities, attendance numbers, or denominational distinctives.

None of those things should replace Jesus at the center.

The first Christians gathered because Christ had changed everything. Jesus had died. Jesus had risen. Jesus was Lord. Jesus had commanded them to make disciples. Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit. Jesus was coming again.

Their message was Christ.

Their hope was Christ.

Their identity was Christ.

Their mission came from Christ.

If the twenty-first-century church is going to experience genuine spiritual renewal, that same Christ-centeredness must return.

From the Fear of Man to the Fear of God

One striking characteristic of the early believers was their willingness to obey God even when obedience brought consequences.

Acts 4 records Peter and John standing before powerful religious authorities who commanded them to stop speaking about Jesus. Their response demonstrated where their ultimate loyalty rested. They understood that obedience to God had to come before approval from people.

That kind of conviction is desperately needed.

The fear of man asks, What will people think?

The fear of God asks, What does God say?

The fear of man worries about reputation.

The fear of God worries about faithfulness.

The fear of man changes convictions when the culture changes.

The fear of God recognizes that truth does not become false simply because it becomes unpopular.

This does not give Christians permission to become arrogant, harsh, combative, or unnecessarily offensive. Scripture repeatedly commands believers to demonstrate gentleness, humility, love, patience, and grace. Boldness and kindness are not enemies.

Jesus was full of grace and truth.

The church must be as well.

Our goal is not to become louder merely for the sake of being loud. Our goal is to become more faithful.

Recovering Holy Boldness

Acts 4:29 records believers praying during a moment of opposition. Interestingly, they did not primarily pray for the opposition to disappear.

They prayed for boldness.

That should challenge us.

We often pray for God to make circumstances easier. The early Christians frequently prayed for God to make them faithful in difficult circumstances.

There is a difference.

Biblical boldness does not mean becoming argumentative on social media or treating unbelievers as enemies. Biblical boldness means refusing to be ashamed of Jesus Christ. It means speaking truth when silence would be easier. It means sharing the gospel even when rejection is possible. It means standing upon Scripture even when doing so costs something.

Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 that he was not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation.

The church does not need to be embarrassed by the gospel.

We do not need to apologize for believing Scripture.

We do not need to hide the name of Jesus behind vague religious language.

If Christ really is Lord, then He deserves more than quiet acknowledgment. He deserves courageous allegiance.

From a “Me-First” Spirit to Sacrificial Christianity

One of the most significant differences between biblical Christianity and cultural Christianity is how each answers the question, Who comes first?

Jesus said in Luke 9:23 that anyone who wanted to follow Him must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him.

That is radically different from a Christianity built around personal preference.

Modern consumer culture constantly asks:

What do I want?

What makes me comfortable?

What benefits me?

What meets my preferences?

That mentality can easily enter the church.

People may choose churches like they choose restaurants, evaluating everything according to personal taste. Worship becomes about our preferred music. Preaching becomes about whether we enjoyed the sermon. Ministry becomes something someone else should provide for us. Church membership becomes based upon what we receive rather than how we can serve.

The New Testament presents something entirely different.

Jesus washed feet.

Believers shared with those who had needs.

Paul sacrificed comfort for the sake of the gospel.

Missionaries crossed cultural boundaries.

Christians opened their homes.

Churches supported one another.

The Christian life was not built around self-preservation. It was built around self-denial.

The church will never recover New Testament power while maintaining a “me-first” Christianity.

Becoming Eternity-Minded Again

The early Christians possessed an awareness that this world was temporary.

Paul wrote in Philippians 3:20 that the believer’s citizenship is in heaven. Colossians 3:1–2 calls Christians to set their minds on things above. Hebrews 13:14 reminds believers that we do not have an enduring city here but are seeking the one to come.

That perspective changes priorities.

When eternity becomes real, temporary things begin losing their control over us.

Money becomes something to steward rather than worship.

Possessions become tools rather than treasures.

Popularity becomes less important.

Comfort becomes less important.

Status becomes less important.

Faithfulness becomes more important.

The gospel becomes more urgent.

People become more important.

The kingdom of God becomes more important.

One danger facing comfortable Christianity is that we can become so invested in building our lives here that we forget we are preparing for eternity.

We plan extensively for retirement while barely thinking about eternity.

We spend hours improving our homes while neglecting our souls.

We know the latest news, entertainment, and cultural controversies but may struggle to explain the gospel clearly.

The church needs to recover an eternal perspective.

Distinct From the World Without Abandoning the World

Christians are called to live differently from the culture around them.

Romans 12:2 warns believers against being conformed to this age and instead calls us to transformation through the renewing of our minds. First Peter 2:9 describes believers as a people called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.

Biblical Christianity should produce a noticeable difference.

Our marriages should look different.

Our handling of money should look different.

Our sexuality should look different.

Our speech should look different.

Our response to enemies should look different.

Our ethics should look different.

Our treatment of vulnerable people should look different.

Our priorities should look different.

Our response to suffering should look different.

But being distinct does not mean withdrawing from society.

Jesus called His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world in Matthew 5:13–16. Salt accomplishes nothing if it never touches what needs preserving. Light accomplishes nothing if it remains hidden.

Christians should not mirror culture, but neither should we isolate ourselves from the people who desperately need Christ.

The calling is harder than either compromise or isolation.

We must live in the world without allowing the world to determine who we are.

Life-Giving Communities Instead of In-Grown Communities

Acts 2:42–47 gives us one of Scripture’s most memorable pictures of Christian community.

Believers devoted themselves to apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They cared for one another. They worshiped together. They shared meals. Their lives were intertwined.

But notice something important: their community did not terminate on itself.

Others were being reached.

Acts repeatedly describes the Word spreading, disciples multiplying, churches being planted, and new people entering the family of God.

Healthy Christian community should always have an outward dimension.

Churches can become so focused on protecting existing relationships that newcomers feel like outsiders. Groups can become cliques. Ministries can become territories. Longstanding friendships can unintentionally create invisible barriers.

The question every church should ask is:

Are we building a community that simply makes us comfortable, or are we building a community that invites others into the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ?

Christian fellowship should be deep enough to sustain believers and open enough to welcome strangers.

Ablaze With Mission Instead of Distracted by Minor Differences

Jesus gave His church an enormous mission.

Matthew 28:19–20 commands His followers to make disciples of all nations.

Acts 1:8 describes believers becoming witnesses from Jerusalem outward to the ends of the earth.

With a mission that significant, it is tragic when churches spend enormous amounts of time fighting over insignificant matters.

Some disagreements matter. Doctrine matters. Truth matters. Scripture matters. The nature of the gospel matters.

But not every disagreement is a gospel issue.

Churches have divided over music styles, clothing preferences, schedules, building decisions, decorations, traditions, personalities, ministry methods, and countless other secondary issues.

Romans 14 reminds believers that faithful Christians may sometimes reach different conclusions on disputable matters.

We must learn the difference between biblical conviction and personal preference.

Convictions should be rooted in Scripture.

Preferences should be held with humility.

When preferences become convictions and convictions become weapons, churches become consumed with internal conflict while the world around them remains unreached.

There is a lost world outside our church doors.

There are hurting families.

There are broken marriages.

There are children growing up without hearing the gospel.

There are people trapped in addiction.

There are people experiencing homelessness.

There are lonely people.

There are people carrying shame.

There are people terrified of death.

There are people searching for meaning.

The church has been entrusted with the greatest message ever proclaimed.

We cannot afford to spend all our energy fighting among ourselves.

Praying With Expectation

The book of Acts is filled with prayer.

The disciples prayed before Pentecost.

The church prayed when believers faced persecution.

They prayed while making major decisions.

They prayed before sending missionaries.

They prayed while leaders were imprisoned.

Prayer was not decoration around their ministry.

Prayer was foundational to their ministry.

One of the most challenging descriptions in the original graphic is the contrast between believers who “prayed with exclamation points” and Christians who “pray with question marks.”

We should be careful here. Biblical prayer absolutely includes questions. David asked questions throughout the Psalms. Jesus Himself cried out in anguish from the cross. Faith does not mean pretending we never struggle.

But there is something worth recovering in the early church’s expectation that God was actually listening.

They believed God could act.

They believed God could change circumstances.

They believed God could save sinners.

They believed God could give courage.

They believed God could open doors.

They believed God could build His church.

Do we?

Prayer should not merely be the transition between parts of a worship service.

Prayer should be one of the engines driving the church’s mission.

Speaking Clearly About Moral Issues

The gospel is more than morality.

Christianity cannot be reduced to simply becoming a better person or following a collection of ethical rules.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

At the same time, grace never gives Christians permission to redefine sin.

Jesus forgives sinners and transforms sinners.

The New Testament church was willing to address difficult moral issues inside and outside the church. Paul addressed sexual immorality, greed, drunkenness, dishonesty, idolatry, pride, hatred, division, exploitation, and countless other sins.

The goal was never condemnation for condemnation’s sake.

The goal was repentance, restoration, holiness, and freedom.

A church that never speaks about sin eventually makes the cross unnecessary. If humanity’s greatest problem is merely low self-esteem, political division, loneliness, or lack of fulfillment, then we do not need a Savior who died for our sins.

But if our fundamental problem is that we are sinners separated from a holy God, then the cross becomes glorious news.

We should never speak about sin without speaking about grace.

But we should never speak about grace in a way that pretends sin is insignificant.

The Gospel Destroys Racial Pride

The early church had to confront one of the deepest divisions of the ancient world: the hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

The gospel declared that Jesus was creating one people from people who previously would not have shared a table together.

Acts 10 records Peter entering the home of Cornelius. Acts 15 records the church wrestling with the inclusion of Gentile believers. Galatians 3:28 emphasizes the unity believers possess in Christ. Ephesians 2 describes Christ breaking down the dividing wall of hostility.

The gospel destroys every foundation for racial superiority.

At the foot of the cross, nobody possesses a superior bloodline.

Nobody has a superior skin color.

Nobody possesses a superior nationality.

Nobody can boast.

We are sinners saved by grace.

The church should therefore be one of the clearest demonstrations that reconciliation across ethnic and cultural differences is possible through Jesus Christ.

Whenever racial pride, prejudice, or superiority is tolerated among Christians, something is fundamentally out of alignment with the gospel.

Confronting Sin Inside the Camp

It is easy for Christians to identify the sins of the surrounding culture.

It is much harder to confront sin inside the church.

Yet Scripture repeatedly begins with God’s own people.

Acts 5 records the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira. First Corinthians addresses serious sin occurring within the church. Revelation 2–3 records Jesus examining congregations and calling them to repentance.

The church loses credibility when it loudly condemns the sins of the world while quietly tolerating greed, arrogance, sexual immorality, manipulation, abuse of authority, gossip, bitterness, dishonesty, and hypocrisy among its own people.

Church discipline should never become cruel or self-righteous.

But biblical love does not ignore destructive sin.

Galatians 6:1 teaches believers to restore someone caught in sin with gentleness while carefully watching themselves.

Restoration is the goal.

Repentance is the goal.

Healing is the goal.

Holiness is the goal.

Pretending everything is fine is not love.

What Happened Then Can Happen Again

The point of looking at the first-century church is not simply to become nostalgic about Christianity’s past.

We cannot return to Jerusalem in AD 33.

We do not live in the Roman Empire.

Our churches meet in different buildings, speak different languages, use different technology, and minister within different cultural circumstances.

But the same Jesus is Lord.

The same gospel is powerful.

The same Holy Spirit indwells believers.

The same Word of God remains true.

The same mission remains unfinished.

God has not changed.

That means renewal is still possible.

Churches can become prayerful again.

Christians can become courageous again.

Believers can become sacrificial again.

Congregations can become outward-focused again.

Churches can become places where racial barriers are confronted, sinners find grace, truth is proclaimed, disciples are formed, missionaries are sent, the vulnerable are served, and Jesus Christ receives the glory.

But renewal rarely begins with someone else.

It begins with us.

Revival Begins With Repentance

It is tempting to look at a graphic comparing the first-century and twenty-first-century church and immediately think about everything wrong with other Christians.

Other churches compromise.

Other pastors are afraid.

Other Christians are worldly.

Other believers are distracted.

That response misses the point.

The first question should not be, “What is wrong with the church?”

The first question should be, “Lord, what needs to change in me?”

Am I walking in the fear of God or the fear of man?

Am I bold about Christ or embarrassed by Him?

Am I living with eternity in view?

Am I serving sacrificially or constantly asking what the church can do for me?

Am I more passionate about reaching lost people or defending personal preferences?

Does Christ truly have first place in my life?

Do I pray believing that God can move?

Am I willing to repent when Scripture confronts me?

Do I treat people of every background with the dignity of those created in God’s image?

Am I becoming increasingly different from the sinful values of the world?

Those questions bring revival much closer to home.

Second Chronicles 7:14, spoken originally to God’s covenant people Israel, contains a principle that continues to challenge us: humility, prayer, seeking God, and turning from sin must accompany genuine spiritual renewal.

Before we ask God to change our churches, our communities, or our nation, we should be willing to stand before Him ourselves.

We Do Not Need to Recreate the Past—We Need to Recover the Passion

The goal is not to make every twenty-first-century church look exactly like a first-century congregation.

Technology is not the enemy.

Buildings are not the enemy.

Programs are not the enemy.

Organization is not the enemy.

Traditions are not automatically wrong.

Modern ministry methods are not automatically compromises.

The question is what controls them.

Technology can spread the gospel.

Buildings can shelter ministry.

Programs can disciple people.

Organization can help churches steward resources responsibly.

Traditions can remind generations of God’s faithfulness.

But all of those things must remain servants rather than masters.

We do not need to imitate every cultural detail of the ancient church.

We need to recover its spiritual priorities.

We need churches where Christ is preeminent.

We need Christians who fear God more than people.

We need believers willing to sacrifice.

We need congregations passionate about reaching people with the gospel.

We need communities shaped by Scripture rather than culture.

We need churches willing to confront sin while extending extraordinary grace to repentant sinners.

We need Christians whose eyes are fixed on eternity.

We need believers who pray because they genuinely expect God to work.

And we need men and women who believe following Jesus is worth whatever it costs.

This Can Be Now

The most powerful statement in the graphic may be its final idea:

What happened before can happen again.

Not because we can manufacture revival.

Not because the right worship style will create it.

Not because the perfect preacher will produce it.

Not because another church program will guarantee it.

But because Jesus Christ is still building His church.

The question is whether we are willing to surrender ourselves completely to Him.

Perhaps instead of saying, “That was then, this is now,” the church should begin praying something different:

Lord, do it again.

Give us courage again.

Give us conviction again.

Give us compassion again.

Give us unity again.

Give us hunger for Your Word again.

Give us passion for lost people again.

Give us sacrificial love again.

Give us holy lives again.

Teach us to pray again.

Teach us to repent again.

Teach us to serve again.

Make Jesus preeminent again.

The first-century church demonstrates what can happen when ordinary people become completely convinced that Jesus is alive, the gospel is true, eternity is real, and the mission is worth their lives.

Those truths have not changed.

And neither has our calling.

That was then. This is now. But by the grace of God, what happened then can happen again.