THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
#840 THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
Scripture Acts 2:40-47, NIV 12/2/1986
Passage: 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Purpose: Continuing a Church Training study in Acts, here leading the group to visualize the heart throb of the early church.
Keywords: Bible study Church Fellowship Ordinances Worship
Timeline/Series: Acts
Introduction
George William Benson, in his book The Cross: Its History and Symbolism, gives us a rather poignant picture of how the cross has found its way into our lives. He wrote (pp 14-15):
“Throughout all Christendom the cross appeared. It stood upon the altar of the churches, was carried in religious procession and woven into the vestments of the priests, pictured on canvas and on stained glass, in frescoes and mosaics fashioned with rich craftsmanship, and hung upon the walls of cathedrals which were themselves built in the design of a cross. On every spire and many gables were crosses of iron and stone, and in the churchyard they marked the meeting places of the dead. Everywhere were wayside shrines and crosses of wood and stone, market crosses of sculptured marble and Sanctuary crosses to which man fled for refuge.
“The Crusader’s sword was cross-hilted and every knight dedicated his sword upon the altar and wore a cross upon his breast, as he went forth upon a crusade.
“The escutcheons of most ancient families bore it in varied forms and appeared frequently on the coins and medals of the calm. The crowns of kings and nobles were almost invariably surmounted by a cross.
“The prevailing use and influence of this supreme symbol of Christianity is remarkable. The study of its origin, history, and symbolism is an investigation full of value and interest.
“The cross is a symbol more universal in its use and more important in its significance than any other in the world.”
All of this has happened, to our benefit, in the passing of time and Christian history. For the early church, it was adorned in their memory, and not on their person. It was a daily reality and not a piece of jewelry. It was a reminder of the man who wore it, and of His message, and of their responsibility to both keep it and to share it.
I. The Gospel was Meant to be Proclaimed. V40 “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’”
Remember, this is the fourth part of which that early preaching consisted. It was a firm call to decision.
2:21 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
2:36 “Let all the house of Israel know.”
2:38 “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin.”
2:40 “Save yourselves from the corrupt generation.” These passages denote the place of human will and the problem of generational influence.
2:17-20 are an announcement of the “day of the Lord.” The supreme message of preparedness should be heard in the announcement that these are the last days and Jesus is coming.
2:22 is an affirmation of the rudiments of Jesus’ life. What a joy to walk where Jesus walked. What a blessing to witness things truthfully and decorously done. The study of the word ought to be the easiest thing for a Christian to do. The greatest thrill is when family or friend begins to take interest in His life.
2:29-30, finally, authenticate grace and law. David was dead: Undeniably a great man and leader, but dead and in his tomb. But Jesus was alive. Many had seen. Remember, all the Romans and Pharisees had to do was to produce the body.
The proclamation of the gospel remains central. Whatever other great truths we believe, whatever programs we espouse, and if in any ways we are legitimately different from the New Testament church, we have no choice but to preach the gospel. It relates man’s sin to the cross. It lays man’s sin burden bare. It reveals God’s love. Re-read v23 “Him, being delivered.” It demands personal and social adjustment. Carnality is a common, correctable condition. The Gospel forecasts the Spirit’s involvement. It liberates us from the past, equips us for the future.
II. The Instrument of Its Proclamation was to be the Local Church. V41 “Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls.”
We have not yet experienced “church.” Acts 5:11 distinguishes ecclesia “church” from ekcaleo “the called ones,” thus, “the set apart.” All we lack here is the word itself.
The badge of participation was baptism. Baptidzo meant to put beneath or to bury. Repentance (v38) is to be assumed, and its primacy is established. There were 3000 converts (all Jews). It should be noted here that such display should be reserved for Gentiles, but these are Jews drawn readily. In fact, it was this repentance and baptism which formed community. Not even “the scandal” of the cross restrained them.
Note the three action words found here:
Belief—“they that received the word.” Not pistueo belief, which means “to trust.” Rather apode’comai, which means “to welcome,” more than mental credence, with unreserved acknowledgement.
Baptized—Jews submitted in the belief that the new Israel had arrived. Of the 3,000, some had heard Jesus; some had been healed or ministered to; some were at Golgotha. Others were waiting for this “new Israel.”
Added—prosetethnsan, “to place beside.” “Those added” came to equality. Medical science chose this Greek word to convey meaning to artificial limbs “prosthetics”—the limb is added, and new life is assured.
III. All Derived Local Churches Would Have this Very Excellent Model. We first see the community in preparation. As the apostles had been told (Acts 1:4), “do not depart, but wait for the promise.” Even so, the larger community continued steadfast in doctrine: didache—teaching (inside), and kerygma—preaching (outside).
They continued steadfast in the breaking of bread. Consider all the times of meals—Emmaus in Luke 24:30; the eleven (Luke 24:36); beside the sea (John 21:12f). It is a time of togetherness. In a Passover meal, the mood was joy. See Exodus 12—the lamb slain in the afternoon, eating in an evening celebration: the joy of deliverance and the joy of Christ’s presence.
They continued steadfast in fellowship. My son-in-law defined being in Jackson, Mississippi, for the LSU/Ole Miss game, and the uniqueness of the Mississippi State game. Whose company do we enjoy?
They continued steadfast in prayer. How serious are we about prayer meeting? People would run the preacher off who suggested canceling, but they never attend. FM highlights calling people to pray. Call 1-800-44FAITH—Pray.
Next, we see the community in proclamation.
The church witnesses by her unity. In v41,”there were added,” and in v44, “and all that believed were together.” The first goal is community. Mennonites came to East Carroll Parish from Kansas where they could not family farm if they were not family. Conditional unity is primary. Perhaps the only other goal is self-determination. Now that we are together in unity, what do we do with this energy? The Devil works at broadcasting church squabbles. Baptists move on the cutting edge of effectiveness because of our prudent self-determination. For this reason, we hear of more Baptist churches in trouble. Our convention impasse is the result of the drive for truth. Self-determination has produced polar positions.
The church witnesses by her fellowship. V46 “And they, continuing daily . . . did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” Be careful of what fellowship consists: People who take active leadership roles; those who give financial support; those who have little to give physically or emotionally. What about those who are inactive? Determination of fellowship is the experience of the lordship of Christ. The last and least link in fellowship is the gathering called “fellowship.” We fellowship in groups, large and small, where the substance of relationship is in our link with, to, and through Christ, who died for us.
The church is to witness by her organization. V47 “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” We have considered self-determination. Beyond that is the need of ministry. To our constituency, it is a program based on Bible education. We also minister to other people, first through Bible education. The Sunday School class is the best means to share and to meet needs. There is great importance in enrollment based on five principles of growth (Flake Formula): Know possibilities; Enlarge organization; Provide space; Enlist and train; Go.
The church is to witness by her training. V42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.” Every opportunity must be taken to train people for their tasks: Consideration of spiritual gifts; keeping believers in interest areas; organized study for training (ex, James in early February Sunday School); use of Church Training for unfragmented training. Every believer should have the desire to improve and grow. 2 Timothy 2:15 reads: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.”
The church is to witness by her place of worship. V46 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple. . . .” Much might be said about the place of worship. We must certainly do no worse by our Lord’s house than by our own homes. We are to treat the building with respect through upkeep and necessary maintenance.
The church must witness by her worship. V46 “And they continued daily with one accord in the temple . . . praising God.” Being dignified, inviting, and compelling the church honors God. Acts 5:42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not stop teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
The church is to witness by her ordinances. V41 “Then they that gladly received the word were baptized: . . . And they continued . . . in breaking of bread.” We honor our Lord by every visit to the baptistry. It means we are sharing our faith with the family and beyond. It is a picture of death to the old things, resurrection to the new. We honor Him by forays to the Lord’s table. By holding up broken fragments of His life and conditioning ourselves to His blood, we glory in that He is alive.
The church is to witness by her membership. V38 “Then Peter said, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Membership in the community of faith means three things: Repentance, the initial act of faith; Baptism, link of obedience and community; and Holy Spirit, the empowering agent for service. We don’t “have” the Holy Spirit as a magic talisman, the Holy Spirit is to have us, to use major and minor gifts as it suits God’s purpose.
The church is to minister by her name—“First Baptist Church.” Church means reaching out to others; Baptist means determining our own destiny; First should tell more than the time of beginning (history), it also means first in ministry.
The church is to witness by her contributions. V45 “And they sold their goods and parted them to all as had need.”
…The remainder of this lesson has been lost…