When Jesus walked the earth and taught about the kingdom of God and what would come to be known as Christianity, he frequently spoke against the temple model of worship. Briefly, that is: holy 
places (usually buildings) where holy men interpret holy writings and tell the devout what to think, how to live, and what their god demands of them. The church that Jesus built through his apostles was not this way. Acts chapter two clearly describes what the original Christian church looked like:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (NIV)
This original, pure “Christian” church (they did not call themselves Christian for some time. Originally this church was called The Way. “Christian” was a derogatory tag hung on them by Roman soldiers at Antioch, which the followers of Jesus picked up and wore with pride) broke the temple model, but it did not last long.
Note that while the Apostles were the core of Christianity, no one is tagged as the leader. The apostles served more has headmasters (teachers) than as rulers. Everyone devoted themselves to the teachings of Jesus, passed along through the teachings of the Apostles. As the body of believers grew it was no longer possible for them all to come together in one place to fellowship, learn, and worship. Groups met in the outer courts of the temple and in homes.
The term “breaking bread” refers both to taking meals together and to the observance of Communion, where they specifically remember Jesus and the sacrifice He made for them. There was not one day set aside to worship, but opportunities were offered every day for any who chose to be there.
They prayed prayers of praise to God, and requests for clarity and unity within the body of believers, and they prayed for one another. Anyone with a need was prayed for, knowing that God would answer.
Note the term, “glad and sincere hearts”, the New King James version phrases this as “gladness and simplicity of heart”. In both we see a lack of complex motives. They set aside any prejudices and worshiped as one body. Their worship focused on Jesus, not on programs, or buildings, or ambitions.
Note also, “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people”. It is often said that Christians were despised and persecuted – and they were, but not usually by the general populace. Both the Roman and the Jewish leadership hated Christians as insurrectionists. Devout Jews considered those who converted from Judaism to Christianity to be traitors. But the gentile populations and the not-so devout Jews liked them because of the simple, giving, loving attitude they modeled.
There is a letter preserved in historic documents, written by a Roman official to his superior during a time of plague, that asks the question: (paraphrased) “How can we command the loyalty of our people when these Christians treat them better than we do?”
This refers to the fact that when a person came down with the plague, all his pagan neighbors would move away, leaving him or her to fend for themselves. The Roman leadership offered them no relief, but Christians in the area would come to care for these sick until they either got better or died. They did this because they were carrying out Jesus’ command to care for the sick and because they did not fear death. If they died in the service of God, they would go on to be with Jesus. Non-Christians feared death passionately. As a result, Roman citizens were turning to Jesus and away from the Roman gods and emperor worship.
The early church was so simple and dedicated to its core beliefs that if we could duplicate it today it would be considered a cult, as it was then. These people considered their devotion to Jesus to be their skin, from which everything else sprang, not a hat to be donned for a few hours once a week.
For far too many believers today, Christianity is a fashion accessory to be put on display on certain occasions, and tossed in a closet most of the time. Far too many churches have returned to the temple model. It is a well known and documented fact that in the average church (or other organization for that matter) 10% of the membership does 100% of the work while the other 90% stand by and applaud. For them, paying their dues is enough.
That’s not how it was in the church Jesus created.
Everyone contributed in goods/money and labor. Those who had no goods received from those who had, but none treated it like our welfare system. Those in need tended to be widows and Jews who converted. When Jews converted to Christianity the temple tossed them out and the Jewish community considered them non-persons. If the converts were businessmen, they now had to depend on gentile customers for a living. Nor could converted families do business with Jewish merchants. That was the rule concerning anyone the temple disavowed or shunned, there are always exceptions and sympathizers, but as a rule that is how it worked. In Jerusalem, converts probably had to move away to find a more gentile city to live in. While these families were in need, the “church” helped them. When they were reestablished, they gave to help others going through what they had.
And they did not give out of their excess. The book of Acts states in several places that the believers gave liberally, considering nothing their own (Acts 4:32). Paul commends some of the churches he planted for giving sacrificially to help him and other brothers in need.
In time, as Christianity grew and expanded into new cities, false teachers and opportunists infiltrated and turned them away from the pure gospel of Jesus. It happened then, and it’s happening still today. Want to know what the real gospel of Jesus was and is? Read the gospels and the book of Acts for yourself. Toss aside your preconceptions and read what it actually says. It will be an eye-opener.
