The book of Acts presents 'snapshots' of the New Testament Church over its first 30 years. The bulk of the remainder of the entire New Testament - the letters - are almost exclusively written to the New Testament Church and about the New Testament Church. If we will read through and study both Acts and the letters we will quickly see those things that were most important to the Church and the things that were the common experiences of those early believers. Here is a brief list: 

-  An unapologetic devotion to Jesus Christ

- A radical 'whole-life' commitment to the
  Church: the gathering together of like-minded
  believers

- Unusual, dynamic demonstrations of the Holy
  Spirit - gifts, healings, miracles, signs,
  wonders, visitations, power

- Severe persecution for their beliefs

- Unchurched people with real problems and
  issues finding direction, answers, love and
  acceptance from the church

- Extreme and passionate prayer

- A deep reverence for the message - the
  honouring of the teaching of it and the
  commitment to 'getting it out' to the people
  around them

I cannot think of a more exciting reason to be alive on the planet today!

God has raised us up for this hour! This is the Person and the path we are following!

I invite you to come and see for yourself what the New Testament Church can look like.

 

 Paul van Essen 

Senior Minister