The first church wasn’t about buildings, rituals, or religious titles—it was a living community of people following Jesus together. According to Scripture, Jesus established the church to make disciples, love one another deeply, and serve as a witness to the world. It was built on relationships, truth, prayer, generosity, and shared life—not performance or tradition.
Its structure was simple: led by local elders, served by deacons, and fully powered by everyday believers using their gifts. If you’re part of a church or seeking one, the goal isn’t attendance—it’s participation in a Christ-centered community. Keep reading for a deeper dive into how the first church functioned and how you can live out that same purpose today.
If you’ve ever wondered what the first church was really like—how it started, what it was for, and how Jesus defined it—you’re not alone. A lot of modern churches look very different from what we see in the Bible. But if you want to understand the real structure and purpose of the church, you’ve got to go back to its roots: the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian community.
Let’s break down what the first church looked like, how it was structured, and why it existed—according to Jesus Himself.
1. The Church Begins With Jesus’ Declaration
The first mention of the church in the Bible is in Matthew 16:18. Jesus says to Peter:
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
That’s the starting point.
Now, let’s clear something up: Jesus didn’t build a building. He wasn’t talking about stained-glass windows, pews, or steeples. He used the word “church” (Greek: ekklesia), which means assembly or gathering. It wasn’t a physical structure—it was a community of people.
2. What Was the Purpose of the First Church?
Jesus wasn’t trying to create an institution. He was forming a movement—a living, breathing group of people who followed Him and lived out His teachings.
Here’s what Jesus wanted His church to be:
a. A Place of Discipleship
Jesus gave the church a mission in Matthew 28:19-20:
“Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
The early church wasn’t focused on entertaining people or just meeting on Sundays. Its job was to make disciples—followers of Jesus who learned His teachings and lived them out.
b. A Community of Love
In John 13:35, Jesus says:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The first church was supposed to be a loving, tight-knit community. It wasn’t about hierarchy or power. It was about relationships—sharing life, caring for each other, and living out the love of Jesus in real ways.
c. A Witness to the World
Acts 1:8 records Jesus’ words just before He ascended to heaven:
“You will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
The church had (and still has) a mission to tell the world about Jesus—not just with words, but through action and transformation.
3. How Was the First Church Structured?
If you’re expecting a flowchart or organizational chart, you won’t find it in the New Testament. The early church was surprisingly simple and organic. Here’s what we see:
a. Leadership Was Plural and Local
There were no celebrity pastors or CEOs. The New Testament church was led by elders (also called overseers or shepherds). For example:
- Titus 1:5 – Paul tells Titus to appoint elders in every town.
- Acts 14:23 – Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in the churches they planted.
These elders were local leaders—not outsiders—and there were usually several of them in each church, not just one person in charge.
b. Servants Called Deacons
Deacons helped with practical needs. In Acts 6, we see seven men chosen to distribute food fairly so the apostles could focus on teaching and prayer. Deacons weren’t ruling—they were serving.
c. The Whole Church Participated
The early church was participatory. In gatherings, people prayed, read Scripture, taught, sang, and encouraged each other.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:26:
“When you come together, each of you has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”
This wasn’t a passive audience watching a show. It was active, Spirit-filled, and collaborative.
4. What Did the First Church Actually Do?
Want a snapshot of how the early church operated? Look at Acts 2:42–47. Here’s what it says they did:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…”
Let’s list out the core practices:
1. Teaching
They studied the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The church was rooted in truth, not opinion.
2. Fellowship
They didn’t just sit next to each other once a week. They lived life together—eating meals, sharing possessions, and supporting one another.
3. Breaking Bread
This likely includes both shared meals and Communion (the Lord’s Supper)—remembering Jesus’ sacrifice together.
4. Prayer
Prayer wasn’t optional. It was central. They prayed individually and together.
5. Generosity
They shared their possessions and cared for anyone in need. There was radical generosity—nobody lacked anything (Acts 2:44-45).
6. Praise and Worship
They praised God regularly and openly.
7. Evangelism
The result? “The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)
5. What the Church Is Not
To understand the purpose of the first church, it’s just as helpful to know what it wasn’t:
- Not a business – The early church wasn’t trying to make money or build empires.
- Not a political platform – Jesus didn’t align with any political power. His kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36).
- Not a show – It wasn’t about stage lights or hype. It was simple, Spirit-led, and centered on Jesus.
6. So… What Does This Mean for You?
Here’s the real question: Are you part of a church that looks like this?
Jesus’ idea of church is much more than attending a service. It’s about:
- Belonging to a community that lives out His teachings
- Being discipled and discipling others
- Serving, praying, giving, and growing—together
- Living as a witness in the world
You don’t need to be in a megachurch. You don’t need fancy programs. What you need is a group of believers committed to Jesus, each other, and His mission.
That’s the first church.
Final Thoughts
The structure and purpose of the first church were simple but powerful. Jesus laid the foundation not for a building, but for a body of believers who would continue His work on earth.
To recap:
- Purpose: Make disciples, love deeply, and be witnesses to the world.
- Structure: Led by local elders, served by deacons, and powered by the participation of every believer.
- Practices: Teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, generosity, and worship.
If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’re called to be part of this kind of church. Not just a place you go—but a people you belong to.
Ready to go deeper? Start by reading Acts chapters 1–4. It’ll give you a clear picture of what Jesus had in mind when He said, “I will build My church.”
And remember: You are the church.
10 FAQs : 🔎 What Is the First Church: Exploring Its Structure and Purpose According to Jesus
1. What is the first church according to Jesus?
The first church, according to Jesus, was not a building but a community of believers committed to following Him. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says He’ll build His church on the foundation of faith, starting a spiritual movement focused on discipleship, love, and spreading the gospel.
2. How was the first church structured?
The structure of the first church was simple. It was led by local elders (also called overseers or shepherds), served by deacons who met practical needs, and driven by active participation from every believer—not just a few leaders.
3. What was the main purpose of the first church?
The main purpose of the first church was to make disciples, teach the teachings of Jesus, foster a loving community, and be a witness to the world. This is based on Jesus’ commands in Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8.
4. Did the first church meet in a building?
No. The first church met in homes and public spaces like the temple courts (Acts 2:46). It wasn’t about a location—it was about people gathering to worship, learn, and grow together in faith.
5. What did the early church do when they gathered?
According to Acts 2:42–47, the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread (communion and meals), prayer, generosity, and worship. These practices were central to their gatherings.
6. Who were the leaders in the first church?
The first church was led by elders, who guided the church spiritually, and deacons, who served practically. Leadership was local, shared (not a single person), and focused on shepherding, not control.
7. What’s the difference between the first church and most churches today?
Many modern churches focus on structure, programs, or performance. The first church, according to Jesus, focused on simple, relational discipleship, shared leadership, and community-driven mission—centered around Jesus, not tradition.
8. Is the first church still a model we should follow today?
Yes. The first church provides a biblical blueprint for how Christians should live, lead, and gather. Though culture has changed, the core mission and structure laid out by Jesus remain timeless and relevant.
9. Can a small group or house church count as a first church model?
Absolutely. In fact, the early church met in homes. If a group is centered on Jesus, making disciples, loving one another, and living out Scripture, it reflects the original church far more than size or setting ever could.
10. How can I be part of a church like the first church?
Start by connecting with a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching group that values shared leadership, real relationships, and mission. You don’t have to wait for the “perfect” church—just start living like the church Jesus described.
