140518 The Church in Beginning

Acts 2:42-47  And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved,

Jesus told the apostle Peter that he would build his church on Peter’s confession of faith. That confession was, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.” In a very real sense the church has always existed. The true church is made up of all people who have real faith from all ages. What happened on the day of Pentecost was the beginning of the organized New Testament church. Up until that time there was a fairly large disorganized group of disciples who had placed their faith in Jesus, the Son of the Living God. The only organizational structure that they had was the Apostles appointed by Jesus. I choose not to count Judas in the group. As long as the church was small there was very little reason for organization. Now, the church bursts into being with 3000 converts!

Think of it! Within two months of the resurrection of Jesus the church consisted of more than 3500 believers who only had the Old Testament and the teaching of the apostles to give them structure and direction. Today, there are so many different kinds of churches and so many different philosophies of “church” that such an influx of believers would be immediately encouraged to divide from one another. However, in the first century there was only one view of “church” and it was very limited in scope. At the same time there were very important things that began to happen in the church. First…

They devoted themselves. At the end of the first generation of believers the letter to the Hebrews was written. Already, they are having trouble with being devoted to one another. Listen while I read Hebrews 10:23-25. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The dictionary says that “devoted” means: ”having a strong love or loyalty for something or someone”.  The K JV translates the word devoted as “continued steadfastly”. I don’t think Luke was talking about the way they felt. Too many of our decisions are made based on feelings! I do not believe that “devoted” requires a warm fuzzy feeling! Remember, love is not a feeling it’s an action! Acts chapter 2 clearly points out that they “devoted themselves” to four things. The first thing that they were devoted to was…

To the apostles teaching. Jesus’ final instructions to the church is recorded in Matthew 28:19-20. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When Jesus said, “Go therefore”, he was talking about the fact that all authority had been given to him in heaven and on earth. His disciples had gathered in Galilee according to Jesus’ instructions. They had met with him several times over a forty day period. At that time, only the eleven where there (according to Matthew). Before then, Jesus had met with individual disciples several times and once, at least, he met with some five hundred believers. His final instructions were simply that they should make disciples of all nations. Part of the discipleship process was teaching the new coverts all the things that he had taught them. The ability to do that, “make disciples”, is based on the fact that all authority had been given to Jesus and that he would be with them always, to the end of the age.

When Luke tells us that, “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” he’s talking about what Jesus said to them. The “apostles’ teaching” is the core of what became the New Testament.

So they devoted themselves, or were continuing steadfastly, and listening to preaching and teaching from the word of God, or what would soon be the written word of God. If we, today, are to be anything like the early church we will devote ourselves to the Bible. The only opinions we should be interested in are those that help us to become better students of the word of God.

I remember seeing a cartoon, I believe it was called “the Family Circus “. In this particular picture the grandmother was sitting in her easy chair reading her Bible and one of the grandchildren says, “Shsss, she’s cramming for the finals.” Now I believe that’s a good use of the Bible but please don’t let it be the only time you read the word! Our day-to-day experience should be that of the psalmist, who said that he stored of God’s word in his heart, in order that he might not sin against God. We need to delight in the Bible and in the privilege that we have to read it, listen to it being taught, and are allowed to share it with other people. We should be, as the people of the book of Acts were, devoted to the apostles’ teaching — and that is the word of God! They were steadily devoted to the apostles’ teaching and…

To the fellowship. Let’s look at Acts 4:32-35. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. ³³ And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵ and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Their fellowship was not just cookies and Kool-Aid! It involved a great deal more than that. You see it was not just “fellowship” it was “the fellowship”. Fellowship for them was a special relationship. A relationship that they continued on a day-to-day basis. They didn’t just sit around the campfire and sing “Kum By Ya”. Not that I’m opposed to sitting around the campfire and singing. Nor am I opposed, in any way, to our covered dish meals.

In fact, I have heard it said that one of the evidences that the early church was Baptist is the fact that they met and ate food together. It is a great part of fellowship for us to share a meal. Their fellowship went beyond the surface.

“They were of one heart and soul” so much so that they looked upon their “stuff” as common property. Now some have said that the early church was communist. That idea comes from them sharing their goods and even selling property and bringing the money to the church.

Later on, not right now, I would encourage you to read the first few verses of Acts chapter 5. There you will see where one couple wanted to be known as givers. They sold a parcel of land but they just simply couldn’t part with all the money. So they put some of it aside and brought the rest of it to the apostles. Peter pointed out to them that while the property was theirs they could do what they wanted with it. And, when they had sold it, the money was theirs. Again, they could do what they wanted to do with it! This is certainly not a communist, or socialist, philosophy.

Communism only works well for those who have nothing to start with. The story is told that two men met each other on the street. Let’s call them Fred and Pat. Now they had been friends for a long time and knew each other pretty well. Their conversation went like this.

 Fred said to Pat, “If you had two cows would you give me one?” Pat replied, “Sure I would! ” Again, Fred asked, “If you had two sheep would you give me one?” Again Pat replied, “Sure I would!” Since things were going so well Fred tried again, “If you had two horses would you give me one?” And again, Pat replied, “Sure I would!” Being willing to push his luck, Fred asked, “If you had two dollars would you give me one?” To that Pat replied, “That’s not fair, you know I have two dollars!” Of course, Pat did not share what he had.

Margaret Thatcher once said, “The problem with socialism is that you soon run out of other people’s money.”

The early church was not a commune! It was a fellowship of believers who had one heart and soul and who shared what they had with each other based on a sense of love and communion.

The early believers were completely devoted to the Bible, the apostles’ teaching, and fellowship and…

To the breaking of bread. I suspect that the early church practiced communion as a part of every meeting. When they came together they “broke bread”. The apostle Paul, in a private meeting with the risen Christ received these instructions found in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.  For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Paul had to write these instructions out because the Corinthian church had turned breaking bread into a banquet. They had stopped sharing with one another and, instead, had begun to bring large meals if they were rich and small meals if they were poor! He actually said that, “One goes hungry, another gets drunk.” This was a serious departure from the kind of breaking of bread the first church experienced. These new believers were devoted to the Bible, fellowship, breaking bread together and…

To the prayers. Luke didn’t record, “to prayer”, he said, “the prayers”. Not just a quick nod of the head and a few words, but instead, “PRAYERS”. Luke had in mind something similar to what Paul wrote to the Philippians. Listen while I read Philippians 4:4-7. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In this passage, Paul begins with the attitude of their hearts. “Rejoice in the Lord always”! And then he repeats it, “rejoice.” For me, at least, it’s a little difficult to understand the passage where it says, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” After a little research I find that the word for reasonableness could be translated “gentle”, “patient” or “moderation”. That helps a little bit to understand the passage. We need to be known as a patient people. When we come to God in prayer we need to be patient. Not just one prayer and that settles it but instead we should be in an attitude of prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Supplication has more of pleading our case. Supplication involves humility and trust in God. If you read through the prayers in the Bible you will often see that the great saints would come before God and remind him of his own words. Then they would plead with him to honor his word. They offered their prayers again and again. Jesus taught that we ought always to pray and never give up. Prayer should be as natural to us as breathing. In fact, prayer should become as important to us spiritually as breathing is physically! Every great revival has come about because people devoted themselves to prayer. The new believers combined with those who had walked with Jesus to devote themselves to the Bible, fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers. When they did this…

There were positive results! Look at Vv. 43-47! And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

As a result of their devotion some astounding things began to happen. First, awe came upon every soul! The modern church tries to work up a feeling of reverential awe and even fearful respect by putting on a “good show”! If you can get a preacher who is loud enough and fervent enough, along with a good band, then you can work up a sense of worship and awe. Folks, that’s nothing like what happened after the day of Pentecost!

They began with reverential respect for God and something began to happen in the body. Many wonders and signs are being done through the apostles! A lot of modern showmanship that goes on in the church is a false substitute for real wonders and signs. People, true wonders and signs only come about because God honors people who hold him in reverential respect.

In the 1924 Summer Olympics a young Christian by the name of Eric Liddell came from Scotland to represent Great Britain. He was a runner who was very good in the hundred meter race. On the way to Paris he discovered that he was scheduled to run on Sunday. Eric believed that God had given him the gift of speed and he would not run on Sunday! Eric traded positions with another young man so that he could run in the 400 meter race. Everyone believed the Americans would win that race and that Eric would not be able to hold out for that long run. He drew the outside lane putting himself in front of everyone else. One of the American runners, Jackson Scholze, came to him and handed him a slip of paper. Written on it was, “It says in the Old Book,’ he that honors me I will honor’”. Eric Liddell won that race and set a record that would not be broken for twelve years. Some 21 years later Eric Liddell died in a Japanese prison camp in China, where he was born, and where he returned to serve as a missionary. There is no greater honor than to die serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

The first century church honored God and he honored them with his presence. Not only did they devote themselves to the Bible, fellowship, breaking of bread and the prayers and, as a result God released wonders and signs, but they also fell in love with one another. They shared everything! They were having yard sales and taking the money and putting it in the benevolence fund at the church! They didn’t just meet together on Sunday. They met day by day at the Temple. Afterward, they shared meals in their homes and received their food with glad and generous hearts. Now keep in mind that there was no place large enough for them to meet altogether. They could all come together in the courtyard of the Temple only for public worship. Throughout the city, and in every village and town nearby, these believers met in their homes, ate together and rejoiced in all that God had given them. These people publicly and unashamedly praised God everywhere they went. And instead of being rejected for their “fanaticism” they were finding favor with all the people. Their boldness resulted in many people hearing the gospel. And the Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved! Most churches today are grateful to God when occasionally people are added to their number. A new family once a month would seem to be amazing growth! A new family every week would be breathtaking growth for most churches in upstate New York. We have lots of excuses for why we’re not experiencing that growth! But that’s all they are — excuses! There is no doubt in my mind that it is God’s desire to bring real revival to North America and around the world. I just pray that it will begin with us. We need to become people who are devoted to the Bible, loving fellowship, sharing our meals with one another, and (most importantly) devoted to the prayers. Remember, the Lord declares, “those who honor me I will honor”. We need to be a church that is known for honoring God and when we come to the place where we have a reverential respect for God he will add to our numbers day by day those who are being saved.

In a very real sense the local church exists today in literally millions of places with a large variety of organizational structures. From small house churches to giant mega-churches the church is being made available to all people everywhere. Every group that comes together and meets certain basic conditions have the right to be called a church. In my understanding, a true church is composed of people who have confessed with their mouth that Jesus is their Lord and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead. Beyond that, in order to be a true church, a group of people must practice right preaching of the word of God, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and have biblical organization. Such a group of people should be faithful to their Lord and to one another under his direction.

Have you confessed Christ as your Lord and repented of your sins? Then you should be part of a local church. If you have not put faith in Christ, today is the day of salvation! Won’t you come to him?

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.