Text: Acts 2:42-47
I. Describes the early church in Jerusalem.
A. This church serves us as a model church, although it was not perfect as we
can read a little later on in this same book.
B. It had hypocrites, doctrinal errors, sinful human beings of all types, yet
it serves us as a model church in many important respects as we will examine
tonight.
C. These verses tell what developed in the church and how it functioned in
those days following Pentecost.
D. It was an inner-city church; large; and it had multiple ministries.
E. On the day of Pentecost, 3,000 new members were added to its membership,
making a total of 3,120 members.
F. It had begun with 12 apostles, but when its membership was expanded, they
asked the church to select an additional 7 men to serve as deacons (Acts 6),
making a total of 19 officers.
G. The success of the church was not because these 19 officers alone, but
because of the Faithfulness of ALL the Members.
J. Our text reveals 4 Characteristics of this Model Church:
1. It Was a Church That Studied the Bible
2. It Was a Church of Christian Fellowship
3. It Was a Church That Worshipped Corporately
4. It Was a Church That Evangelized
II. A Learning, Studying Church
A. "They devoted themselves to the "apostles’ teachings".
B. They were a learning, studying church - This is the first thing that Luke
mentions about the church in Jerusalem!
C. Yes, it was a joyful, growing, and vibrant church - But the most important
thing to be mentioned was that it was a Bible Studying Church!!!
D. The church could have been tempted to "Look Back to Pentecost" and
to "Focus on Past Accomplishments".
E. They might have been tempted to dwell on the miracles witnessed on that
great day when the Holy Spirit descended and every man heard the Gospel in
his/her own language.
F. They might have been tempted to pray, "Lord, do something miraculous
again!"
G. But instead, we find them not revelling on the past, but rather revelling in
the Word of God!
H. I submit to you that this is always the first mark of a Spirit-filled
church!
I. The "Apostles’ Doctrine (Teachings)" refers to those men that had
been "specifically chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ".
J. vs. 43 gives an evidence of the selection of these apostles - They performed
"many wonders and signs".
K. Paul stated in 2 Cor. 12:12 that the things that "mark an apostle were
the signs and wonders and mighty deeds."
L. Today, believers are exhorted to "Study the Word of God" which was
written during the apostolic age of these same men.
M. 2 Peter 1:21 clearly states, "For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost."
N. Being a Spirit-Filled Church and Studying the Word of God go hand in hand!
O. What is true of the church is also true for individuals as well.
P. We must provide ways for people to get to know the Word of God.
Q. Preaching, Teaching, Bible Classes, Bible School, Home Bible Studies, etc.
are all ways that we can provide opportunity for people to know the Bible.
III. Christian Fellowship
A. Not only did they devote themselves to the "apostles’ doctrine",
but they also devoted themselves to "Fellowship".
B. "Fellowship" literally means to "have common participation in
God" - Read 1 John 1:3
C. The fellowship that these early saints enjoyed involved the Lord Jesus
Christ and their spiritual experiences.
D. It was something that they enjoyed to do - discussing victories in the Lord,
praying for one another, discussing strategies to win the lost, etc.
E. Fellowship with God and Fellowship with one another go together.
F. Whenever we are out of fellowship with God, we will not desire to fellowship
with others - and the opposite is true as well.
G. This is why John stated in 1 John 1:3 that fellowship with God and one
another is vitally linked.
H. Along with the fellowship of spiritual experiences comes the desire to give
to those in need.
I. When one member of the church is in pain, all should feel the pain.
IV. A Worshiping Church
A. There was the "breaking of bread" and "prayer".
B. The breaking of bread refers to communion service; prayer was done
corporately in services.
C. Forsaking the assembling of ourselves will hinder the church in regards to
being all that it should be.
D. When one member is absent, all are affected.
E. Not only did they break bread in assembly, but vs. 46 states that they also
did so informally in their homes.
F. Why not have worship in our homes??? Why not have both???
V. Evangelizing Church
A. vs. 47 reveals that they were a people who took their faith seriously enough
to share it with others.
B. Notice that they were "Praising God" and "Having Favor with
all the people".
C. The mark of a Spirit-Filled Believer is that there will be "gladness
and singleness of heart".
D. Notice too that God richly blessed their efforts of evangelism - "And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
E. May God help us to be such a church in the community in which we minister.
F. United Prayer
To GOD be the glory!
Maraming salamat po Panginoong Jesus sa mga kabutihan mo sa amin, lalo na sa akin. nasa grade 8 na po ako at maraming hamon sa buhay ang aking nararanasan sa araw-araw, subalit patuloy kong nararamdaman ang mga pagsubaybay mo sa akin mula sa pag-gising sa umaga - pagpasok sa skwela, pag-uwi sa bahay at sa iba pang mga gawain ko. Salamat po sa mga pagtugon mo a aking mga panalangin at sa patuloy na pagdinig sa aking mga karaingan sa araw-araw.
