Acts 29 Church, Part 2

Acts 29, the story continues. I get that. But, what is church?

The call to mission

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Also...

Mark 16:15–16 NIV

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Luke...

Luke 24:44 NIV

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Luke 24:45–47 NIV

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:48–49 NIV

You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

And Acts...

Acts 1:8–9 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Aaaaand, it began!

Acts 2:37 NIV

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Acts 2:38 NIV

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:39 NIV

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 2:40 NIV

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

Acts 2:41 NIV

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:42 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:43 NIV

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

Acts 2:44 NIV

All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Acts 2:45 NIV

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

Acts 2:46 NIV

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,

Acts 2:47 NIV

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

A little later, another summary of events...

Acts 4:32 NIV

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

Acts 4:33 NIV

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all

Acts 4:34 NIV

that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales

Acts 4:35 NIV

and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Acts 4:36 NIV

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),

Acts 4:37 NIV

sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

But 2,000 years creates translation problems

Think ship at sea (seven letters to the seven churches for reference).

Battleship

Cruise ship

Mission ship

Therefore,

Hebrews 10:19 NIV

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:20 NIV

by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

Hebrews 10:21 NIV

and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

Hebrews 10:22 NIV

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:23 NIV

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:24 NIV

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

Hebrews 10:25 NIV

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.