Transcript Bible Study

Acts 2:43-47
Church growth
Part 2
(Acts 2:41) Those who
accepted Peter’s message
were baptized, and about
three thousand were added
to their number that day.
1.
Committed to the Message
We thank God continually
because, when you
received the Word of God,
which you heard from
us…(1 Th 2:13)
1. Committed to the Message
(1 Th 2:13) …you
accepted it not as the
word of men, but as it
actually is, the Word of
God, which is at work in
you who believe.
1. Committed to the Message
(1 Cor 1:18) For the
message of the Cross is
foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us
who are…saved it is the
power of God.
2. Committed to the Body
(Eph 2:19-20) You are no longer
foreigners and aliens, but fellow
citizens with God's people and
members of God's household,
built on the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, with
Christ Jesus Himself as the chief
cornerstone.
3. Practical in their Love
(Acts 2:44-45) All the believers
were together and had
everything in common.
Selling their possessions and
goods, they gave to anyone as
he had need.
3. Practical in their Love
(Heb 13:1-2) Keep on loving
each other as brothers. Do not
forget to entertain strangers,
for by so doing some people
have entertained angels
without knowing it.
CHURCH GROWTH (Acts 2:43-47;).
(Heb 13:1-2)
Keep on loving each other
WITH The Principles of:
Committed to
Diversity
The Message
Indivisibility
Indispensability
Community
The Body
Practical Love
The nature of the church is plainly set
forth in the divine record.
We can EASILY learn the organization
of the church, the worship of the
church and the mission of the church.
NO ONE ought to have a problem in
finding out WHAT is morally RIGHT
and morally WRONG according to the
teaching of the Bible.
All commands are given in concise
language so that "even he who runs may
read and understand" and "the wayfaring
man, though a fool, need not err therein."
If we maintain a simplicity and purity toward
Christ (2 Cor. 11:3), we will have no
overwhelming difficulty in understanding
his laws.
Our FELLOWSHIP and UNITY are based
upon the commands revealed in the
Apostles teaching.
What
prevents us from
having this kind of
experience today?
God?
 What
prevents us from
having this kind of
experience today?
 Apathy?
 Cynicism?
 Individualism?
 Materialism?
 Preoccupation?
What prevents us
from having this
kind of experience
today?
Nothing OUGHT to?
The question facing
US is NOT do we
WANT to be a
community like this
BUT are we WILLING
to be a community
like this?
Are we PREPARED to EQUIP
ourselves to be READY TO GIVE
AN ANSWER FOR THE HOPE
THAT LIES WITHIN US
1 Pet 3:15;
Are we PREPARED to DEVOTE
the TIME to BUILD relationships
Foundations
of aCulture
Culture
A Transformed
(Acts 2:41-42)
Those
accepted
5. Culture
3. Culture
of Entertainment:
of who
Survival:
(Romans
12:2)
Do
not
conform
any
1.
Culture
of
Submission:
Peter’s
message
were
baptized,
and
It’s all
If about
we hang
what
on others
long enough,
see...really!
A
Renewal
longer
totold,
the
pattern
of
this
world,
but
We’rethree
therefore
we
have
to
do.
about
thousand
were
added
to
we
should
be
okay.
Creating
a
Culture
be transformed
the renewing of
their
number thatbyday…
of Then
Fellowship
of
Connection
your mind.
you will be able to
test4.and
approve
God's
will is-Culture
2. Culture
of Moral
ofwhat
Acquisition:
Relativism:
His
good,
pleasing
perfect
will.
We
never
know
We
want
what’s
toand
have,
right
or wrong;
therefore
we’re open
wetohave
suggestions.
to work.
(Acts 2:41-42)
… They devoted themselves to the
(Acts
2:41-42)
Theteaching
transformed
is toa the
apostles'
and to theculture
fellowship,
teaching
breaking culture
of bread and
to
prayer.
of connection
fellowship
breaking
that is first made possible by
of breadconnecting
prayer
with God
The transformed culture is a
culture of connection
(Hebrews 10:23-25) Let us hold unswervingly to the
that
is
first
made
possible
by
hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
(Hebrews
…Let
us
give
meeting
connecting
God
And let10:23-25)
us
consider
howwith
wenot
may
spurup
one
together,
as toward
some are
inand
the good
habitdeeds…
of doing, but
another on
love
teaching
let us encourage one another--and all the more
as youfellowship
see the Day approaching.
breaking of bread
prayer
(Acts 2:41-42)
miraculous signs
wonders and
(Acts 2:43) Everyone was filled with awe, and many
wonders and miraculous signs were done by the
apostles.
A Culture without Masks
(Acts 2:44-45) All the believers were together and had
everything in common. Selling their possessions
in need.
and goods, they gave toeverything
anyone as he had
common
to anyone
need
wonders and miraculous signs
to anyone in need
(Acts 4:31-35) After they prayed, the
place where they were meeting was
shaken. And they were all filled with
the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of
God boldly…
wonders and miraculous signs
everything in common
to anyone in need
(Acts 4:31-35) …All the believers were
one in heart and mind. No one
claimed that any of his possessions
was his own, but they shared
everything they had…
wonders and miraculous signs
everything in common
to anyone in need
(Acts 4:31-35) …With great power the
apostles continued to testify to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and
much grace was upon them all. There
were no needy persons among them…
wonders and miraculous signs
everything in common
to anyone in need
(Acts 4:31-35) …For from time to time
those who owned lands or houses sold
them, brought the money from the sales
and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was
distributed to anyone as he had need.
wonders and miraculous signs
everything in common
to anyone in need
Why put on a mask when
Jesus is the only audience
that matters?
wonders and miraculous signs
everything in common
to anyone in need
(1 Peter 1:22) Now that you have
purified yourselves by obeying the
truth so that you have sincere love for
your brothers, love one another
deeply, from the heart.
(Acts 2:46-47) Every day they continued
to meet together in the temple courts...
(Acts 2:46-47) ...They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with
glad and sincere hearts, praising God
and enjoying the favor of all the
people…
A people intent on
being a blessing
A Culture of Blessing
(Acts
2:46-47)
... And
the
Lord
addedevil
to their
number
(1
Peter
3:9)
Do
not
repay
with
evil
Let’s
create
daily those who were being saved.
or insult with insult, but with blessing,
abecause
culture
of
connection…
to this you were called so that
you may inherit
a blessing.
a blessing
thatA is
transformed
people intent on
and being
without
masks
a blessing,
He blesses.
A Period of Good Will
These first days of the Kingdom-Church were
like a honeymoon. But it would not last long.
Soon the movers and shakers of the Jewish
religion that did not accept Jesus as their
Messiah began to violently oppose what they saw
as a renegade sect of Judaism growing in
numbers and power.
But for now this great multitude from all over
the civilized world were staying in Jerusalem
and were united and happy.
The Fellowship of Christians
Acts 2:41-47 by Ellis Jones
Fellowship is sharing
Ourselves, our things, with others.
Especially with Christians;
But all men are our brothers.