THE EARLY CHURCH WAY

Who Were They and How Did They Worship?

Recently we heard someone in a video say, “we’ve got to return to the simplistic days of the early church of Acts!” In theory, this sounds wonderful. In reality, the early church was anything but simple. The simplicity was what was in their hearts. I think that sometimes believers in Yeshua (especially those still young in their walk) think of the early church (of Acts) as a group of people that lived in communes or on what we envision a modern day compound where it was one for all and all for one with a huge mess hall in the middle to gather and eat or a large building to come and worship. And, yes, at first glance at the book of Acts it can appear to paint the picture that this is what the early followers of Yeshua looked like; however, when we examine scripture closer we see a much different picture as written in the book of Acts 2:40-47:

And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:40-47 NKJV

The above scripture is in reference to the birth the New Covenant church on the day of Pentecost in 30 A.D. We must keep in mind when reading this that those 3,000+ souls had been under the teachings and rule of the Pharisees for generations up until that day and they had religiously adhered to the Mosaic Law. Thousands had traveled from many different places to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, as was required by the law.

Suddenly on that particular day in time of Pentecost, there was a major shift in the heavens and on earth. The first major shift had happened just 50 days earlier when Yeshua was crucified on the cross and the veil was torn in the tabernacle. On this day, Yeshua poured out His Holy Spirit upon his disciples and Peter became the chosen spokesperson to share the gospel of peace. A multitude of new believers were baptized unto repentance (meaning they were willing to turn from the old covenant which had become so twisted and deceptive that Yeshua referred to that generation of people as perverse or crooked) and were filled with the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! This event happened so as to fulfill Yeshua’s prophecy to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19 where Yeshua gave Simon Bar-Jonah the new name of Peter (meaning rock) and prophesied to him that upon this rock He would build His church. (Note: Peter and rock are one word in the Aramaic language, and the Rock upon which the church would be built was in fact Yeshua. In other words, Peter was but a fragment (vessel) of the whole, while Yeshua HaMashiach is the entire Rock and yet Yeshua had chosen Peter for a time such as this.)

If you read Matthew, Chapter 16, you see that Yeshua was warning His disciples of the doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees and He refers to the doctrines (or teachings) as leaven that ruins the whole batch. Yeshua then asks the question “who do men say that I am?” and it was Peter who said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The Holy Spirit had revealed the truth to Peter and so it was that Peter would be the one chosen to be the first to speak of the new kingdom and new covenant.

What happened next on that glorious day of Pentecost was Peter and about 119 other disciples instantly had over 3,000 people hungry for the Truth and they wanted the teachings of the apostles about Yeshua and the new covenant. From what we read in Acts is that they continued to assemble together, having meals, praying together from house to house. The things they had in common were their new faith in Yeshua and His way, and a heart to help one another in need. Simplicity of heart here refers to honesty and sincerity, focusing on God’s heart without double-mindedness, hypocrisy, or deceit. Meeting in homes was safe and more personal and it built community relationships. Larger gatherings took place in the outer court of the temple which was a public square. The apostles would teach in the outer courts of the temple and many came to the faith in Yeshua in a fairly short time.

The Selling of Possessions and Goods

Why do you suppose they had come together and sold their possessions and goods to help those who had a need? The answer is because the religious apple cart had been flipped over on the Pharisees and devout Jews, all of whom were determined to put an end to these new followers of the Way. By the time we get to Acts 4, we read that Peter and John got arrested for sharing about Yeshua but even so the Holy Spirit was working to bring more into His fold. My point is that the early church times were not simple in the worldly sense. Their faith was continually tested and their like-minded family and friends remained together to help strengthen one another.

Those who had many possessions cheerfully sold what they truly did not need to live on so that those who had a need would not lack. It was an act of sincere benevolence. This might be equivalent today to one selling their vacation home, car collection or other material collections of value, or a piece of land that is not a true necessity and help those they know are struggling to make ends meet, have no car, etc. This is rarely seen in the church communities today. Go Fund Me does a better job than the church at this. Scripture does not say that those who sold possessions were suddenly homeless or else they would not be meeting from house to house. This is another misconception–that many should take on a vow of poverty. Not to digress, but if you go back and read how the Israelites were told to only to collect the manna from heaven according to their family’s need and not keep any extra (for they were being tested by God), but those who took more than they needed out of greed saw it turn to maggots and stink. (Exodus 16:14-21)

In Acts 5:1-11, we read what happened to a man and his wife, Ananias and Sapphira, when they sold their property and lied to the Holy Spirit about how much they sold it for so that they could keep some back for themselves. At a time when the early followers of the Way were called to strengthen one another, Yeshua was very much in tune to their sincerity of heart. This gives us a picture of what life was like and the persecution they must have been under. We also see the cost of not giving their whole heart to Yahweh. Yeshua was building His church and was faithful to His word that only through faith in Him would believers be justified in His righteousness. Ananias and Sapphira didn’t have the faith to trust in Yeshua but rather felt justified in lying about their greed. It didn’t turn out well for them but it did put the fear (great reverence of Yeshua) in the other believers to keep their hearts in check.

A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession and he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear come upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried his out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. (Acts 5:1-11)

If you read the scripture carefully, you’ll see that Ananias and Sapphira could have easily been sincere about what they did and not been judged. Peter even said to them that the land was theirs while they had it and upon selling it the proceeds were in their control. Ananias could have said with sincerity of heart that the land sold for X and they would gladly like to give Y and keep some for themselves. That would have been honest and honored. It was all within their control to determine what they wanted to do with their possessions. There is a difference between greed, lying, and conspiring vs. cheerful giving and honesty.

Note: I am not saying that you must sell your extra possessions and goods to give to an institution so as to build a new building, basketball court, give the pastor a new jet, etc. Those are NOT needs and they certainly do not build one another up in who they are in Yeshua. Walk circumspectly and be led by the Spirit of Yahweh.

Before Yeshua offered up His life (His all) on the cross for the sins of mankind, he left His followers with two commandments: Love Yahweh with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind, and Love our neighbor as ourself (fulfills Exodus 20:1-17). If believers today will keep those commandments, there is a wonderful reward that awaits us in heaven and we will live an abundant life of peace, joy, favor, and grace here on earth and we will be followers of the Way in sincerity of heart. Yeshua is the Way, the Truth, and Life. You can call it the church, the body, the assembly, the gathering of believers, the Ekklessia—whatever you want, but the truth is that if you are not following Yeshua and His Way, it matters not.

We should know that we will all go through trials and tribulations in this life, and it is only through our faith and sincerity of our heart to Yahweh that we can endure and overcome these. As James said in James 1:2:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubt, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man unstable in all his ways.”

We can surmise from reading the book of Acts that the early church experienced many trials in their new faith because as followers of the Way we also experience them in our walk with Yeshua. The early church was quickly scattered abroad, many were killed or greatly persecuted for Yeshua’s name and yet the gospel continued to be shared and millions upon millions have come to follow Yeshua and His Way over the past 2,000 years. If it were not so, we would not be here today. A remnant of the early church way continues today and it looks like it did back then with home gatherings, underground Christians sharing the gospel of Yeshua HaMashiach, heavy persecutions even unto death for many, and people helping those in need. Let’s not be deceived in the comfort and prosperity of being a social christian. There is a cost of discipleship, but we stand strong in faith as a body and we know that the hope of glory in us is Yeshua, for He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).

Our faith is and will be tested often. Yahweh tests us to approve us and prepare us for our role in His body. He placed Yeshua as the head of His body and Yeshua is the brains and heart of His whole body.

Our role as His body is to worship Yahweh in Spirit and Truth, for the salvation of mankind, and to destroy the works of the devil in our lives. These three are facets of the perfectional doctrine of Yeshua that Hebrews speaks of in Hebrews 6.

What does Worship in Spirit and Truth look like?

Let’s now look at how the word “Worship” is used in scripture and it’s correct meaning for its intended usage.

Many of us have been conditioned to think of worship as primarily a form of singing praises with various forms of musical instruments or dance, etc., and this is certainly a form of worship. There is more to worship, however. We will look at what the Bible says worship is, and you may be surprised to learn that the term “worship” has several different meanings.

Below are five Greek words that are linked to the word “worship” and they mean five distinct things.

1. Proskuneo – Strong’s Concordance #4352 (pronounced Pros-koo-NEH-oh) – To bow down, prostrate oneself. When we read the word “worship” meaning Proskuneo in scripture, we see that there is a humbling of oneself in reverence or adoration. This word occurs 60 times in scripture. Below are some scriptures revealing a pure vs. impure heart when it comes to Proskuneo.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East had have come to worship Him. (Matthew 2:2)

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. (Matthew 2:9-11)

You’ll notice a couple things in the above scripture: 1) The wise men had received a visitation from an angel which is what prompted them to look for the new born King of the Jews. 2) They were filled with joy when they saw how the Holy Spirit led them by a star to find the King Child. 3) They fell down and worshiped Him (in complete humility, their reverence and adoration of Yeshua was pure).

Now let’s look at the example of the impure in the same setting:

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; Four out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also. (Matthew 2:3-8)

(Matthew 2:2, 8, 11; 4:9-10, 8:2, 9:18, 14:33, 15:25, 18:26, 20:20, 28:9, 17; John 4:20-23) https://biblehub.com/greek/4352.htm

King Herod was far more concerned with the people bowing down to him. When Yeshua spoke the Beatitudes in His sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) and said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”, the word poor means to be low or to bend down. In other words, to bend down and worship in spirit. Poor also goes with the word contrite which means to be repentant. The Aramaic word for poor is Meskina – means humble; in need, recognizing one’s spiritual need for Yah. The Hebrew word for poor is Anaw – means humble, meek, oppressed, again meaning one’s spiritual need for Yah.

2. Latreuo – Strong’s Concordance #3000 (pronounced Lah-treh-o) – To serve; to minister (to God). In the Old Testament, Latreuo denoted sacrificial service in the temple by the non-priests levites. Their role was to service the tabernacle daily for the priests. In the New Testament Covenant, Yahweh now requires our spiritual service as priests through Yeshua HaMashiach, the High Priest. We are the tabernacle and should daily tend to it so as to sanctify ourselves unto Him. Occurs 21 times in scripture. Below are some:

(Matthew 4:10, Luke 1:74, 2:37, 4:8; Acts 7:7, 7:42, 13:2, 24:14, 26:7, 27:23; Romans 1:9; Philippians 3:3, 2 Timothy 1:3, Hebrews 8:5, 9:9, 12:28; Revelation 22:3) https://biblehub.com/greek/3000.htm

Now in the church that was in Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:1-3)

When we are obedient to the call and fulfill the ministry work(s) Yahweh calls us to, we are serving in His temple and ministering to Him. We have set ourselves apart for His glory and this is a form of worship in praise and prayer.

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a Hight Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. (Hebrews 8:1-6)

We are truly called and designed to be a holy temple unto Yeshua; and in that calling, we to be obedient in our service to Him and not give in to deceptive temptations and works of the flesh, but to keep our temple holy, our lamps light with oil, and offer the sacrifices of sincere praise and thanksgiving. If you are more concerned about your possessions and goods and what you accumulate here on earth, you are serving the wrong master.

Let’s look at an inpure example of Latreuo:

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Ex. Of Proskuneo)

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (Ex. Of Latreuo) (Matt. 4:8-11)

3. Leitourgeo – Strong’s Concordance #3008 (Pronounced Lay-toorg-eh-o) – To minister, to serve, public function as a priest. In the Old Testatment, Leitourgeo comes from Leitourgos which means to worship, serve, relieve, and this was the role of the priests in the temple. For New Testament believers, it is our living sacrifice unto Yahweh through faith in Yeshua HaMashiach. Leitourgeo Occurs 3 times in scripture but goes with Strong’s #3009, #3010, #3011. You will note if you look up #30ll, the original intent of this was for an official minister of the state to provide a service at his own expense. How many pastors have made their service official with the State (501c non-profit, LLC’s, etc). How many serve as pastor/priest in a public function at their own expense?

(Acts 13:2; Romans 12:1-3, 15:27, Hebrews 10:11) https://biblehub.com/greek/3008.htm

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:9:13)

Let’s look at an impure example of Leitourgeo:

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. (Philippians 1:15-17)

4. Sebomai – Strong’s Concordance #4576 (Pronounced Seb-om-ahee) – To worship, to revere, to venerate. Believers are to personally esteem and hold in high respect/reverence Yeshua. Occurs 10 times in scripture. Yeshua knows the hearts of all. Below are some examples:

(Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7; Acts 13:43, 13:50, 16:14, 17:4, 17:17, 18:7, 18:13, 19:27) https://biblehub.com/greek/4576.htm

This form of worship will divert honor and glory from man’s doctrines and their traditions to the sound doctrine of Yeshua.

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ (Matthew 15:8-9)

In the above scripture, Yeshua was responding to the scribes and Pharisees who were angry that disciples of Yeshua were no longer honoring their traditions. Yeshua literally uses the commandment to honor your father and mother here to represent the Father as Yahweh and the Mother as those who do His will. See Luke 8:19-21; Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41.

Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside desire to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:19-21)

The high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us?” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a treed. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (Acts 5:28-32)

Not only are we to honor our earthly father and mother, but we are also to honor a spiritual mother (the church operating in His will and giving life) and father (Yahweh, the One who created life). The hypocritical scribes and Pharisees where not honoring either but rather cursing them by trying to profit from them and keep them in bondage. Mic Drop moment in my opinion.

5. Threskeia – Strong’s Concordance #2356 (Pronounced Thrace-Ki-ah) – Religion, worship through ceremonial observation (religious). Scripture addresses man-centered religion which elevates human effort through works, and produces pride vs. God-centered religion which is faith with works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Occurs 4 times in scripture. Below are some:

(Acts 26:5; Colossians 2:18; James 1:26-27). https://biblehub.com/greek/2356.htm

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

“They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain.” (Acts 26:5-7)

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham has two sons; the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants; the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar– for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:21-26)

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 5:1-18)

6. Tehillah – Strong’s Concordance #8416 (Pronounced teh-hil-LAH) – Praise, songs of praise. Comes from the Hebrew word halal #1984, to praise, to boast, to shine, to celebrate, to glory. Occurs approximately 57 times in OT scripture.

The word praise has various meanings and there are about 107 occurrences in the Word; i.e., to sing praises, to make music (in praise of God) – Zamar – Strong’s Concordance #2167, to laud (to praise or commend) and many more. Most common is known through songs of praise and/or with musical instruments, and with shouts of thanksgiving.

More importantly to note is that without the five previous forms of worship activated from the sincerity of one’s heart, they are merely songs and music. Too often we hear worship leaders and/or those on a worship team say they have a gig on Sunday or their band is playing at church on Sunday, youth event, etc. This mindset is a very telling condition of the heart—and one that is far from Yeshua, but rather one of self boasting, entertainment, or selfish ambition. True Worship is a condition of the heart and this is why Yeshua examines the hearts and minds of man.

In Conclusion

Yahweh has made certain that He will have a remnant like those in the early church in every generation. She is the glorious church, a bride who has made and/or is diligently making herself ready for the Bridegroom. She worships in spirit in truth. We know not the hour or day of Yeshua’s return, but we do know we are not promised tomorrow. I began writing this post almost two months ago and I have been waiting for the timing to release it from the Holy Spirit. The time is now. On September 10, 2025, there was another shift in the heavens and on earth when a young man name Charlie Kirk was martyred for his beliefs and his courage to speak out. Was he a perfect man? No. Did he have sincerity of heart towards Yeshua? Yes. His death was not in vain and thousands have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to rise up and carry the torch of the gospel of Yeshua HaMashiach. We must pray that they worship in spirit and truth the One, Yeshua and not the man, Charlie. Just as the apostle Stephen was martyred for speaking out truth, little did the world know that Yahweh would choose a man who hated that truth and whose sole mission was to persecute the early church to become one of the biggest advocates for the kingdom of Yahweh here on earth. He came to know Yeshua personally and His way and millions of people have come to the way, the truth, and life of Yeshua as a result. His name was Paul. Like Peter and the other disciples sent out by Yeshua, they were not cowards and they worshiped Yahweh in spirit and truth and the gospel continues to this day through a remnant.

There have been many martyrs for the gospel of Yeshua and there will be more. They are nameless and faceless to many except to those who knew them, and like Charlie Kirk and Stephen, their labor has not been in vain. The Truth of Yeshua continues to go forth while these beautiful and faithful servants of Yahweh now live in perfect peace, singing praises to the King. Their purpose for the kingdom of heaven has been completed and they have received their heavenly reward.

Being of follower of the Way is not simple, but with sincerity of heart and faith in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), it is the most rewarding life of abundant love, joy, and peace that one can experience. We persevere through the persecution because we know Him and His word.

Blessings to you.