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Seven Vital Signs of a Healthy Church
Dr. David Davis
Acts 2: 41-47
I am sure you have heard the term "vital signs" as it relates to the medical health of an individual. Doctors will tell you that vita signs are very important in determining the condition of a patient such as: "Is he breathing?" That's a vital sign. "Is his heart beating?" That's another vital sign. There are more than that!
There are some vital signs to indicate whether a church is in good health. God can put His stethoscope to our heart as a church family and listen to see if our vital signs are strong.
Now -- keep in mind -- you, as an individual, make up the total picture of a church family. Just as the body has many components -- so the church is a picture of all of us pulsating life or disease.
As we look at this passage of Scripture -- you must keep in mind that this church is only a few hours -- at best a few days -- after Pentecost.
So let's look and see the vital signs of a healthy church -- but keep before you these signs as they relate to each of us.
I. CONFESSION
v. 41
These people openly confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They were then "baptized" as a testimony of their faith. They were not ashamed -- but they made a confession of their faith in Christ Jesus.
The word "baptized" is the Greek word "baptizo" which means "immersed." The actual rendering would read, "They that gladly received His word were immersed..."
This is a picture of being buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.
v. 38
There is no question that these people were people who had openly displayed their confession of faith.
Baptism is a picture of dying to the old way of life -- having been raised to walk in newness of life with the Lord Jesus and you should not be ashamed to openly confess your faith in Him.
One of the vital signs of a healthy church is that the people, who call themselves Christians, are not afraid to make an open declaration t ...
Dr. David Davis
Acts 2: 41-47
I am sure you have heard the term "vital signs" as it relates to the medical health of an individual. Doctors will tell you that vita signs are very important in determining the condition of a patient such as: "Is he breathing?" That's a vital sign. "Is his heart beating?" That's another vital sign. There are more than that!
There are some vital signs to indicate whether a church is in good health. God can put His stethoscope to our heart as a church family and listen to see if our vital signs are strong.
Now -- keep in mind -- you, as an individual, make up the total picture of a church family. Just as the body has many components -- so the church is a picture of all of us pulsating life or disease.
As we look at this passage of Scripture -- you must keep in mind that this church is only a few hours -- at best a few days -- after Pentecost.
So let's look and see the vital signs of a healthy church -- but keep before you these signs as they relate to each of us.
I. CONFESSION
v. 41
These people openly confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They were then "baptized" as a testimony of their faith. They were not ashamed -- but they made a confession of their faith in Christ Jesus.
The word "baptized" is the Greek word "baptizo" which means "immersed." The actual rendering would read, "They that gladly received His word were immersed..."
This is a picture of being buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.
v. 38
There is no question that these people were people who had openly displayed their confession of faith.
Baptism is a picture of dying to the old way of life -- having been raised to walk in newness of life with the Lord Jesus and you should not be ashamed to openly confess your faith in Him.
One of the vital signs of a healthy church is that the people, who call themselves Christians, are not afraid to make an open declaration t ...
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