This church in the New Testament was an “Every Member Church”. By this I mean that the church was made up of members that were loyal. Every member should consider himself a vital and important part of his church.

First every member was in attendance – “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1).  They had one purpose – united fellowship as they remembered the exhortation of Christ (John 17:20-21).  They were all present; a growing spiritual body needs every service.

Second every member was filled with the Holy Spirit. This means efficiency (Acts 13:1-4), this means power (Acts 1:8), and this is needed today (Ephesians 5:18).

Third every member was anxious and willing to carry out the program of Christ. They met to study the doctrines of Christ. (Acts 2:42), they observed the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42), they prayed together (Acts 2:42) and every member gave of his substance (Acts 2:45)

Fourth every member was involved in visiting and witnessing for Christ (Acts 2:4, 46). This explains why so many were converted. Peter did not do it all; every member went from house to house. Spirit – filled members will speak out because a person in love tells it

Fifth every member was filled with joy. It was a church filled with joy, happiness, and singleness of heart (Acts 2:46).

When these five elements were and are present the Word of God tells us that the Lord adds daily to the church – They become a growing church. This means spiritually, unity, fellowship and joy

If you want to be a part of this kind of church and follow the example of the first century church, you must be faithful in attendance, be filled with the Spirit, be anxiously involved in carrying out the work of Christ in the church, be a witness and be full joy – a fruit of the Spirit.

This will enable us to encourage others as well as join them in the participation and ministry to which God has called all of the members of the church to be a part of. Are you willing to become a part of that kind of “Every Member Church”?

MONDAY MORNING MESSAGE / FRED G. CHILTON