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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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BLUEPRINT
FOR THE CHURCH - 1 Acts 2:42-47
(7/7/13) Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE PRIORITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH (2:42) A. Luke uses precise language to describe not
only the historical narrative (“were” - ēsan - imperfect of eimi)
but also the priorities of the early church. The importance of the priorities
of the early church was expressed with the word proskartereō
(present participle) which means to be “consistently devoted.” Whatever
their priorities were, they were consistently and continually devoted to
them. These priorities are recounted in Ac 2:42. B. Apostle’s teaching - The “apostle’s teaching” came first
in the list because it was the foundation for all other priorities. As God’s chosen spokesmen, only the apostles would have the
infallible words of God. This was the Holy Spirit’s ministry called
“inspiration” (2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 1:20-21). The apostles communicated God’s
truth to the church even as the prophets in the Old Testament. The death and
resurrection of Christ, of which the apostles were witnesses, would be the
center of their gospel message. But the apostles
would also instruct the church in doctrine, teaching, instruction, and manner
of living for the church. It was upon this teaching ministry (Ac 4:2; 5:21,
42; 15:35; 17:19; 18:11; 20:20; 28:31) that the early church was consistently
devoted. C. Fellowship - The church was also devoted to
“fellowship.” This was not a mere social gathering but in this context the
Greek word koinōnia (”common”) would imply that they shared a
common faith in Christ. Since believers have fellowship with God through
Christ (1Co 1:9 cf. 2Co 6:14), they have a common spiritual fellowship with
each other (1Jn 1:3, 7). They fellowshipped together to help one another grow
in Christ. D. Breaking bread - “Breaking bread” (klasis tou artou)
can either refer to partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Lk 22:19; Ac 20:7),
eating together (Lk 24:30), or both (1Co 11:20-21). Ac 2:42 is probably
directed at the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord commanded His
disciples to continue to observe this ordinance (Mt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19
cf. 1Co 11:24). The apostles practiced the ordinance before the Day of
Pentecost and passed it on to the church. Certain symbols and practices were meant to be a part of the church from its beginning.
Symbolism is only wrong when it assigned with efficacious grace and obscures
the true meaning in Christ. E. Prayer - Prayer has always been the means of
having communion with the Lord as well as seeking God and His will (Ge 20:17;
Ex 33:13; 1Sa 1:12; Ez 10:1; Ne 1:4; Ps 6:9). The apostles were Jewish men
who were accustomed to the importance of prayer through the teachings of
Judaism. The apostles also were taught to pray by
the Lord Himself (Lk 11:1). The apostles themselves were men of prayer even
before the Day of Pentecost (Ac 1:14, 24). After the Day of Pentecost, under
the direction of the Holy Spirit, prayer became a major part of the apostle’s
ministry (Ac 2:42; 6:4). As to the consistency of the early church’s devotion
to prayer (Ac 4:24–31; 6:6; 9:40; 10:2, 4, 9, 31; 11:5; 12:5; 13:3; 14:23;
16:25; 22:17; 28:8), the word proskartereō goes hand in hand with
the idea of prayer (Ro 12:12; Col 4:2). II. THE PROOFS OF THE EARLY CHURCH (2:43) A. As to the state of the “souls” (psuchē)
of those in the early church, it was one of “fear” (phobos). This is
not a fear as in the sense of a phobia, but a reverential awe of God. It
describes the term “fear of the Lord.” B. What caused this reverential awe? It was
the many wonders (teras - supernatural ) and signs (sēmeion)
taking place through the apostles. “Wonders” (teras) were supernatural
acts performed only by God through the apostles (Ac 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 14:3,
15:12 cf. Ro 15:19; 2Co 12:12). They were acts such as healing grave
illnesses, infirmities, paralytics, casting out demons, and even raising the
dead (Ac 3:6-8; 5:15-16; 8:7; 9:34-35, 40-41; 19:12; 28:8). “Signs (sēmeion)
were along the line of the supernatural acts by the apostles that directly
point to the power of God (He 2:3-4). The wonders and signs confirmed that
the apostles were God’s chosen spokesmen. As God’s spokesmen, the people could trust that their gospel
message was the gospel of God. It was this divine confirmation in the souls
of the church that was termed as reverential awe or the fear of the Lord. III. THE PROVISIONS OF THE EARLY CHURCH (2:44-45) A. Though the eternal souls of people were of
utmost concern to the early church, it was not the only concern. They were
concerned for the practical concerns of others, especially those of the
household of God. Their spiritual fellowship caused them to have all things
in “common” (koinos - common), including their physical necessities.
Being burdened for the welfare of one another, they were voluntarily moved to
part with their property and possessions in order to “share” (diamerizō
- distribute or divide) with all. B. They shared with all and as “as anyone
might have need.” “Need” was certainly a criterion and Scripture counsels
against abuses of such kindness (Ac 5:1-10; 1Ti 5:16). But
in characterizing the early church, Luke shows them to be compassionate,
charitable, and concerned for one another. They held no overdue regard for
temporal material possessions even as the Scriptures instruct (Pr 11:24; 19:
17; 22:16; 28:27). IV. THE PASSION OF THE EARLY CHURCH (2:46) A. The passion of the early church was for
the apostle’s teaching, spiritual things, fellowship, and witnessing. These would be understood as their reasons for being in the
temple “day by day.” Though home churches would eventually spring up, these
first Jewish believers congregated where there was an environment of
spiritual teaching and activities, i.e. the Jewish temple. They continued in
“one mind” (homothumadon fr. thumos - passion) meaning they shared a
spiritual passion for spiritual things, spiritual believers, and spiritual
gatherings. B. The joy of the Lord (agalliasis)
was evident in this spiritually vibrant church. They enjoyed the spiritual
fellowship so much that they “broke bread” from house to house. Here
“breaking bread” would refer to eating together explained in the phrase
“taking their meals together.” C. Their “sincere” (apelotēs -
eveness, simplicity or humble) and humble passion also
expressed itself in “praising” (aineō - praise for God) the Lord
for providing salvation in Jesus the Christ and spiritual worship through the
Holy Spirit. V. THE PROLIFERATION OF THE EARLY CHURCH
(2:47) A. Such characteristics of believers often
bring the “favor” (charin - favor or grace) of people. Though many are
not fond of the gospel message, they are not opposed to the hard working,
conscientious, respectful, generous, gracious, and kind behavior of
believers. This is spirit-filled living which often
makes the gospel message palatable to sinners. B. Evangelism - Obviously, the early church was vocal
about the gospel because Luke records that many were coming to salvation in
Christ. Their numbers were increasing daily. VI. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Spiritual Nourishment - All believers must grow in Christ and
it happens first and foremost through the Word of
God. The Word sanctifies (Jn 17:17), equips (Ep 4:12), grows (1Pe 2:2),
renews the mind (Ro 12:1-2), gives wisdom (Pr 2:6; Ps 119:97-99), keeps from
error (Ep 4:14), keeps from sin (Ps 119:11, 101-102). B. Spiritual Fellowship - Believers need other believers from
encouragement to accountability, for prayer and protection. The common
element between believers is Jesus Christ, and it must be anything but common
in spirituality and intensity. Though fellowship is
centered on the spiritual aspects, spiritual fellowship must be
compassionate, helpful, and generous. Otherwise, it is not Christian or
scriptural fellowship. C. Spiritual Observances - Between fellowship and the ordinances,
it is self-evident that believers should not separate themselves from the
church. The early New Testament believers equated the Christian life with
Church life. To separate oneself from the gathering of the church is not
according to Scripture, self-defeating, and spiritually dangerous (He
10:24-25). D. Spiritual Communion - It would seem almost impossible that
a believer who was brought into a relationship with
God through the death of Christ, would not desire a constant relationship
with Him through prayer. We pray when we have needs, but what we really need
is communion with God moment by moment. It would also be unfathomable to be
engaged in ministry for the Lord while not asking for His leading, His
enabling power, and His victory. |
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