The Bible provides clear guidance on how churches should function and what characteristics they should display.
We all want to be part of churches that stay true to God’s Word. But what makes a church truly biblical? The answer lies not in building size, program variety, or attendance numbers, but in how closely a congregation follows the patterns and principles laid out in God’s Word.
The Bible gives us a clear blueprint for how churches should operate, what they should prioritize, and how they should impact their communities.
From the early church in Acts to Paul’s letters to various congregations, Scripture reveals the essential characteristics that mark a healthy, biblical church. These qualities are fundamental requirements for any congregation that wants to honor God and fulfill its calling.
Let’s examine what the Bible teaches about how churches should be.
1. Churches Should Be Centers of Sound Biblical Teaching
The foundation of any biblical church is the faithful teaching and preaching of God’s Word. Paul emphasized this when he told Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
The early church in Acts devoted themselves to “the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). The teaching of Scripture was their primary focus. Churches today must maintain this same commitment to biblical truth.
Sound teaching involves more than just sharing biblical facts. It means explaining Scripture accurately, applying it to daily life, and helping believers grow in their understanding of God’s character and will.
Paul warned against those who would “heap up for themselves teachers” who would tell them what their “itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).
Biblical churches don’t compromise God’s Word to please people or follow cultural trends. Instead, they hold firmly to Scripture as their final authority. They faithfully teach “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) regardless of whether the message is popular or comfortable.
A healthy church ensures that its pastors and teachers are equipped to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). They study diligently to understand God’s message and communicate it accurately to the congregation.
2. Churches Should Practice Regular Fellowship and Community
The Bible describes the early church as a close-knit community that shared life together. Acts 2:46 tells us they continued “daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”
True biblical fellowship goes beyond casual socializing. It involves believers sharing their lives, supporting one another through difficulties, celebrating together in good times, and growing together in faith.
Paul wrote about this kind of community when he described the church as “members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).
Churches should create opportunities for meaningful relationships to develop among members. This might include small group Bible studies, shared meals, ministry teams, and regular times of prayer and worship together.
The writer of Hebrews emphasized the importance of this community when he urged believers not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Biblical fellowship also involves bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and practicing the “one another” commands found throughout the New Testament, such as loving, encouraging, serving, forgiving, and praying for each other.
3. Churches Should Be Places of Prayer and Worship
Prayer must be the foundation of everything churches do according to the Bible. Jesus called His house “a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17). This shows that prayer is the defining characteristic of God’s house.
Many churches today give importance to worship services, but Scripture clearly prioritizes prayer as the essential foundation.
The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
Prayer was central to their gatherings and their daily life together. When they faced challenges, they gathered to pray (Acts 4:24-31).
When they needed to make important decisions, they prayed for guidance (Acts 1:14; Acts 6:6).
Paul emphasized this same priority when he wrote, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1).
The phrase “first of all” shows that prayer should come before other activities in church life.
Churches should be places where prayer is valued, practiced regularly, and seen as essential for spiritual health and growth.
This means dedicating significant time to prayer in church gatherings, teaching members how to pray effectively, and creating a culture where seeking God through prayer is the natural response to every situation.
Worship should flow from this foundation of prayer. True biblical worship involves praising God for who He is, thanking Him for what He has done, confessing sins, and presenting our lives as “living sacrifices” to Him (Romans 12:1).
But this worship must be grounded in prayer and communion with God, not just in musical performance or emotional experience.
4. Churches Should Practice Biblical Church Discipline
One of the most challenging yet essential qualities of a biblical church is the practice of church discipline. Jesus Himself outlined the process in Matthew 18:15-17, explaining how to deal with sin within the church community.
Church discipline is about restoration and protecting the health of the church body.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians about removing an unrepentant member “that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5).
Biblical discipline begins with private confrontation when someone is caught in sin. If that does not lead to repentance, witnesses are brought in. If the person still refuses, the matter is taken to the church leadership. Finally, if necessary, the unrepentant person is treated as an outsider to motivate them toward repentance.
The goal is always restoration, not rejection. When the Corinthian man later repented, Paul urged the church to “forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:7).
Churches that practice biblical discipline create safe environments where sin is addressed lovingly but firmly, protecting both individuals and the congregation from the destructive effects of unrepentant sin.
5. Churches Should Have Biblical Leadership Structure
The Bible provides clear guidance about church leadership structure. Paul told Titus to “appoint elders in every city” (Titus 1:5), and he gave detailed qualifications for both elders and deacons in his letters to Timothy and Titus.
Biblical leadership involves multiple qualified men serving as elders or pastors. They provide oversight, teaching, and spiritual care for the congregation.
These leaders should meet the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.
They must be above reproach, faithful to their wives, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. They must not be given to drunkenness or violence.
Deacons serve the practical needs of the church. They let the elders to focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word (Acts 6:1-6). They too must meet specific qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.
Biblical churches recognize that leadership is about service, not status. Jesus said, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave” (Matthew 20:26-27).
Church leadership should be accountable to Scripture, to one another, and to the congregation they serve. They must always seek to shepherd God’s flock with humility and love.
6. Churches Should Practice the Biblical Ordinances
Biblical churches follow the two ordinances that Jesus commanded: baptism and communion (the Lord’s Supper). These practices mark important aspects of Christian faith and church life.
Baptism represents our union with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Paul explained that “we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
The early church practiced baptism immediately after conversion, as seen throughout Acts. Churches should baptize believers by immersion, following the example and meaning found in Scripture.
Communion commemorates Christ’s sacrifice and looks forward to His return. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19), and Paul instructed the church about its proper observance in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.
Both ordinances should be practiced regularly and reverently. They help believers remember their salvation and their union with Christ and His church. These practices also serve as public testimonies of faith and commitment to following Jesus.
7. Churches Should Be Committed to Evangelism and Missions
Biblical churches don’t exist just for their members, they exist to reach the lost with the gospel. Jesus gave the Great Commission to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
The early church took this commission seriously. Despite persecution, they continued to share the gospel, and “the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly” (Acts 6:7).
Churches should equip their members to share their faith naturally and effectively. This involves teaching believers how to communicate the gospel clearly and creating opportunities for evangelistic outreach in their communities.
Both local and global missions should be central to church life. Paul’s missionary journeys show us the importance of planting new churches and supporting those who carry the gospel to unreached areas.
Biblical churches don’t just support missions financially, they participate actively in reaching their neighborhoods and sending out missionaries. They understand that every believer is called to be a witness for Christ.
8. Churches Should Care for Those in Need
Caring for those in need has always been a mark of the true church. James wrote that “pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble” (James 1:27).
The early church took care of its members’ physical needs. Acts 2:45 tells us they “sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” They also cared for the wider community, which led to them “having favor with all the people” (Acts 2:47).
Biblical churches recognize that the gospel addresses both spiritual and physical needs. They provide for their members during times of crisis and reach out to their communities with practical help and compassion.
This care should be organized and sustainable, not just emotional responses to immediate crises. Churches should develop systems for identifying needs and mobilizing resources to meet them effectively.
Church benevolence shows God’s love in tangible ways and opens doors for gospel conversations with those who might not otherwise be interested in spiritual matters.
9. Churches Should Promote Unity and Peace
Unity among believers is a priority for biblical churches. Jesus prayed “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).
Paul urged the Ephesians to be “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). This unity does not mean uniformity in every matter. It means harmony in essential beliefs and love for one another, even when there are differences in secondary issues.
Biblical churches work to prevent and resolve conflicts biblically. They teach members how to handle disagreements according to Scripture and create environments where different personalities and preferences can coexist peacefully.
Unity requires intentional effort. Churches should regularly remind members of their common faith, shared mission, and mutual love for Christ. They should also address divisive attitudes quickly before they can damage the congregation’s harmony.
When conflicts arise, biblical churches handle them according to scriptural principles. They seek restoration and reconciliation rather than victory for one side or the other.
10. Churches Should Encourage Spiritual Growth and Discipleship
Biblical churches don’t just seek converts—they make disciples. Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Spiritual growth requires intentional effort and structured approaches. Churches should provide opportunities for believers to learn God’s Word, develop spiritual disciplines, and grow in Christ-likeness.
Paul told the Ephesians that church leaders exist “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).
This involves more than just Sunday morning teaching. Churches should offer Bible studies, mentoring relationships, accountability groups, and other opportunities for believers to grow in their faith.
Discipleship is both personal and communal. Churches should help believers develop individual relationships with God while also growing together as a community of faith.
11. Churches Should Exercise Good Stewardship
Biblical churches handle their resources wisely and transparently. Paul wrote about the importance of financial integrity when collecting offerings for the Jerusalem church, ensuring that “no one should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us” (2 Corinthians 8:20).
Good stewardship involves careful planning, wise spending, and clear accountability for how church funds are used. Churches should prioritize ministry needs over facilities and ensure that their spending reflects their biblical values and mission.
Churches should also teach biblical principles of giving and financial stewardship to their members. The Bible has much to say about money, generosity, and our responsibility to use resources for God’s kingdom.
Transparency in financial matters builds trust to both members and the wider community. Churches should provide regular reports on their finances and be willing to answer questions about how funds are used.
Biblical stewardship also extends beyond money to include time, talents, and other resources God has provided for the church’s ministry.
12. Churches Should Maintain Biblical Standards
Biblical churches maintain standards based on Scripture rather than cultural trends. Paul warned Timothy about those who would have “a form of godliness but deny its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).
This means upholding biblical morality, teaching sound doctrine, and refusing to compromise core biblical truths for the sake of popularity or growth. Churches should address sin lovingly but clearly, calling people to repentance and holy living.
Biblical standards apply to both belief and behavior. Churches should teach what the Bible says about marriage, sexuality, honesty, integrity, and other moral issues, regardless of what society might accept or promote.
Maintaining biblical standards doesn’t mean being harsh or judgmental. It means lovingly calling people to God’s best for their lives while offering grace and forgiveness to those who repent.
Churches that maintain biblical standards create environments where people can experience true transformation through the power of the gospel.
May God help churches everywhere to embrace these biblical qualities and become the powerful instruments of His grace and truth that He intends them to be.
