In his commentary on Acts, Simon Kistemaker states…
“The church itself consisted of numerous congregations that met in individual homes. Each group came to be known as an Ekklesia in a local area.”
“In Acts, fellowship in the church depends on personal faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, remission of sins, baptism, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (2:38-39). Church membership comes to expression in being trained in the apostolic teaching, attendance at worship, partaking of the Lord’s Supper/communion, and dedication to prayer (2:42). Love for one’s neighbor reaches its peak when the members abolish poverty within the fellowship of the church (4:34). Deacons help in distributing food to the needs (6:1-6) and elders tend to the spiritual needs of the church (14:23; 20:28). The apostles spend their time in prayer and in teaching God’s Word.”
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