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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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BLUEPRINT
FOR THE CHURCH - 2 Acts 2:42-47
(7/14/13) Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE PRIORITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH (2:42) 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 4:16, 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 THEOLOGICAL VALUE OF MIRACLES What is a
miracle? A miracle is a special act of
God that supersedes the natural course of events (i.e. supernatural) in order
to communicate a message. If we were to ask what the significance of miracles
is, the answer would be that they give the reasonable confirmation of the
Bible’s message. This view
may seem counter intuitive to those who dispute miracles. They would argue
that because miracles cannot occur, it proves the Bible to be a fraudulent
book, or man-made at best. Atheists deny the possibility of miracles on the
bias that they do not believe there is a God. Therefore nothing supernatural
can occur, only natural events. Even if those natural events are
extraordinary and singular, they can be or will be
explained by Science. The central
claims of Christianity are dependent on the apologetic value of miracles. If
miracles have no evidential value, then there is no objective, historical
evidence to support the claims of historic, orthodox Christianity. (Geisler, Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics) But God does exist because he has indisputably revealed
Himself in His creation (Ro 1:20). From God’s existence, we can conclude that
miracles are possible. If God exists,
then God can do all possible things, including supernatural things.
Therefore, miracles are possible by God. If miracles are possible and
recorded in the reliable account of the Bible, then God performed them and
had specific purposes for them. What were the specific purposes God has for
miracles? We proceed
to a section of Scripture where God Himself explains the purposes for
miracles, Ex 3:12-4:16. Here God explains to Moses that God’s miracles
through Moses will confirm that God is with him and will speak through him. Miracles confirm the Lord’s choice of His spokesmen (Ex 3:10-12) - God’s miracles and deliverance of
Israel from Egypt were a sign that God chose Moses, was with him and sent
him. Miracles confirm the authority of God’s spokesmen
(Ex 4:1-7) - God
confirmed Moses’ authority with the evidence of miracles. Both the Israelites
and the Egyptians should have been convinced by
these divine miracles. Miracles are compelling reasons to believe (5). Miracles confirm the words of God’s spokesmen
(Ex 4:8-9). The
Israelites and the Egyptians were to take heed to the words of God’s spokesman through the confirmation of miracles. Miracles confirm the infallibility of God’s message (Ex
4:10-15) - God guarantees the infallibility of the
message of His spokesmen. It was on the basis of
miracles that the divine message was guaranteed. It is here we see the first
concept of theopneustos (“inspiration,” 2Ti 3:16). Miracles confirm the transmission of God’s word (Ex 4:16) - God did not say that Moses would be a
god to Aaron, but that Moses would assimilate the process of divine
inspiration and give Aaron God’s words. We find compelling reasons to
believe that the miracles [the Bible] records occurred and proved the
divinity of its message by certifying the divine authority of its message. (Gerstner, Classical Apologetics, pg. 152). C. The reverential awe in the souls of the
church was the realization that God was giving His confirmation and
revelation through the apostles. God the Holy Spirit had come. He was
indwelling and empowering the church. He was revealing His divine message and
He was confirming it through wonders and signs. The apostles were God’s chosen spokesmen. As God’s spokesmen,
the people could trust that their gospel message was the gospel of God (Ac
4:16). 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 to
be wise in giving (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). They were carrying out the Lord’s command to “love one
another” and meet the needs of one another. (Jn 13:34; 1Jn 3:17) 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 expressed itself in
“praising” (aineō - praise for God) the Lord in spiritual worship
through the Holy Spirit for providing salvation in Jesus the Christ. 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. Historical Reliability of Christianity
- Evidence for the
historicity of the New Testament documents presupposes the knowability of
history in general and the believability of miracle history in particular.
There are those who believe no history can be objectively
known. Such a radical skepticism eliminates the possibility of knowing
anything about the past. Immediately, all university history and classical
departments are swept away. No sources about past
events could be trusted. By analogy such skepticism
would eliminate all historical science, such as historical geology
(paleontology), archaeology, and forensic science. They too depend on
examining and interpreting remains from the past… Contrary to critics, there
is more evidence for the historicity of the life, death, and resurrection of
Christ than for any other event from the ancient world.( Geisler, Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics). B. Historical Reliability of Christian
Behavior - Luke not
only gives a historical and inspired account of the foundational tenets of
Christianity, but also the characterization of true Christianity. The early
church was not above all other believers in their Christian behavior but a
model for all who profess to be true believers.
Though circumstances and resources may vary, the love, compassion, and
generosity will look the same for true believers continually devoted to the
divinely inspired apostles’ teaching. It was not mere history, but reality
for every age. |
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