The Means of Grace and the Edification of the Church
The means of grace are the instruments ordained by God for the spiritual edification and strengthening of His people. They do not operate in a mechanical fashion, but are channels through which the Lord grants grace, sustains faith, and conforms believers to the image of Christ. They are grounded in the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word, prayer, and the ordinances. As Scripture teaches, believers are sanctified by the truth of the Word (John 17:17), and perseverance in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers was a distinctive mark of the early church (Acts 2:42). Moreover, faith is strengthened through hearing the Word (Romans 10:17), and the Christian life must be characterized by a continuous attitude of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The means of grace may be classified as public and private. Public means of grace are those practiced in the context of the gathered church, where the fellowship of the saints strengthens the spiritual life of each member and faith is built up corporately. Among these means, the preaching of the Word stands out as the principal instrument for the church’s spiritual growth (Romans 10:14–17); the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper serve as visible signs of God’s grace and new life in Christ (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26); corporate prayer expresses the church’s dependence upon God and strengthens its unity (Acts 4:31); congregational singing combines worship and doctrinal instruction through music (Colossians 3:16); and mutual fellowship and exhortation build up believers and stir them to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24–25).
On the other hand, private means of grace are those cultivated by each Christian individually or within the home. Reading and meditating on God’s Word are essential for strengthening faith and personal piety (Psalm 1:2), as is personal prayer, which expresses the believer’s direct communion with God and complete dependence on Him (Matthew 6:6). Family worship, where parents teach their children and all pray together, is a fundamental means of grace for spiritual formation within the home (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). Fasting, in turn, is a spiritual discipline that aids the believer in seeking God’s will and intensifying his or her prayer life (Matthew 6:16–18).
The relationship between public and private means of grace is complementary. The preaching of the Word and corporate prayer strengthen believers so that they may practice the private means with zeal and perseverance. At the same time, those who are devoted to Scripture reading and personal prayer will be better prepared to participate profitably in the public means, growing spiritually and building up the church. This balance can be seen in the life of the early church, which was steadfast both in public worship at the temple and in daily devotion within the home (Acts 2:46).
Among the means of grace, the reading, meditation, and study of Scripture occupy a central role. God has chosen His Word as the primary instrument for building up His church and guiding His people in the truth. Scripture lights the believer’s path (Psalm 119:105), transforms the mind and heart (Romans 12:2), and strengthens faith and obedience (Colossians 2:6–7). Diligent study of the Scriptures marks those who earnestly seek God, as exemplified by the Bereans, who were called noble because they examined the Scriptures daily to confirm the truth of the preaching they heard (Acts 17:11).
Prayer is another essential means of grace, being both a duty and a privilege of the believer. Jesus taught that prayer must be continual and persistent (Luke 18:1), and the apostles urged the church to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In prayer, the believer submits to God, seeks His guidance, intercedes for others, and expresses gratitude. The early church was marked by prayer gatherings, such as the united intercession on behalf of the apostles and the advancement of the gospel (Acts 12:5).
Within the gathered church, two public means are especially prominent: expository teaching in Lectio Continua and corporate prayer. The sequential teaching of Scripture, known as Lectio Continua, is the most faithful way to nourish the church with the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), avoiding doctrinal gaps and promoting solid and balanced growth. This method ensures that the church is edified through the Word in a systematic, profound, and Christ-centered manner. For this reason, the faithful exposition of Scripture must be the foundation of preaching and teaching in the church.
Corporate prayer strengthens the unity of the body of Christ and reflects the church’s dependence on God. Scripture shows us that the early church gathered for prayer with perseverance and that God responded powerfully to such prayers (Acts 4:31). Prayer in the church must be intentional, encompassing both the internal needs of the congregation and intercession for missions and external causes, such as the spread of the gospel and care for those in need.
The ongoing practice of public worship, Scripture exposition, and corporate prayer is vital to the spiritual health of the church. In addition to Sunday worship, regular midweek gatherings allow believers to be strengthened in faith and encouraged by one another. The Bible shows that the early church had a consistent commitment to fellowship and prayer (Acts 5:42; Hebrews 10:24–25), demonstrating that the Christian life cannot be confined to isolated moments of worship. Throughout the week, the challenges of life, temptations, and pressures of the world may weaken the believer, and a regular commitment to prayer and the study of Scripture functions as a moment of spiritual renewal.
Perseverance in these means of grace is essential for the church to remain faithful to its mission. As Scripture teaches: “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). When the church devotes itself to the faithful teaching of the Word and fervent prayer, it experiences spiritual growth, unity, and boldness to proclaim the gospel.
Summary of Class Taught by Pastor Gilson Santos
Church: Igreja Batista da Graça – São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
Date: March 2, 2025
This class, led by Pastor Gilson Santos, was part of the ongoing biblical and theological formation of the congregation of Igreja Batista da Graça. It emphasized the centrality of the means of grace in the spiritual growth of the believer and the edification of the church.
