A New Church and the First Church

Order of Service: (Speak to this)

Starting Prayer and Reading of a passage

Worship

Introduction to memory verse: Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 NASB95

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

4. Communion

5. Prayer time as a group

6. Teaching

7. Fellowship / Discussion

Why start a Home Church?

Filling the gaps of the industrial style church

Removing the national political influence and the church

Discipleship and accountability for believers

The Text of Acts 4:37-40

Have someone (A child?) read the text

The people gathered when they heard the apostles speaking

Some people accused the disciples of being drunk

Repentance

Devotion:

Devoted to the Apostles Teaching

Devoted to Fellowship and intimacy

Devoted to worship and glorifying God

Devoted to those around them

The Context of Acts 2:37-40

The old covenant was fulfilled and the new covenant initiated. The rejection of the old covenant and means/methods to God’s fulfilment of that and new means/methods

Jesus lived, died, rose again, taught, then ascended. What went on when Jesus dies - the curtain tearing, the sky turning dark, the earth shaking, the dead rising (VERSES)

The previous 50 days were well known: Give the context of the 50 days prior to the Holy Spirit coming up until Jesus ascending.

Jesus commands the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and await the Holy Spirit, then ascends

Choosing a new disciple

Following Jesus’ command to wait - so they prayed

The Holy Spirit baptizes them, immerses them

The Gospel:

The Promise of the Holy Spirit being poured out to all not to just some

The Death and Resurrection of Christ

The Ascension to God’s Right hand

Speaking in tongues / other languages drawing a crowd

Why did the People Respond the Way they did?

Acts 4:37-40

God’s started fulfilling His promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days: That what they were observing was foretold by God through the prophet Joel. (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:14-21)The Spirit is being poured out on every age, gender, and class, including Gentiles.

Joel 2:28-32 is important in that it addresses had spoken about the “last days” and what would happen. This means, what the people were observing was the fulfilment of God’s purposes.

Peter even states that the prophets who foretold these things when and how these things would to take place (1 Peter 1:10-11)

cf. Num 11:29

Did the sun darken and the moon was there a red sky?

The judgment of Joel is directed also at Israel. So, the Day of the Lord is of all the nations, not leaving Israel out, but the faithful will be saved.

The Spirit will be for all, not only for some.

cf. Isa 32:15; Jer 31:31-33; Ez 34-37 (Esp Ez 36:22-32); Midrash Psalms 14v6 [57b]; Midrash Tanhuman Buber; Deuteronomy Rabbah 203a on Deut 6:14; Ez 36:26; Joel 2:28; Isa 54:13; 1QH 15.6-7 [=7.6-7]; 1Q35 1.1.14; 4Q428 7.6-7; 1QS 4.2-4 Luke 3:4-6; [Isa 40:3-5], Luke 3:16-17

The Resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah Promised: Peter brought the fact that THEY put Jesus to death (Mat 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33, 24:20; John 19:18; Acts 3:13), but God would not allow Jesus to stay dead (Matt 28:5, 6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24, 6; Acts 2:32; 3:15, 6; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33, 34, 37; 17:31; Rom 4:24; 6:4; 8:11; 10:9; 1 Cor 6:14; 15:15; 2 Cor 4:14; Gal 1:1; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12; 1 Thess 1:10; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 1:21), which was foretold of by David (Psalm 110:1) because it was impossible for Jesus to be held by the power of death (Acts 2:22-28), and

The Ascension to the right hand of God: God made Jesus Lord and Christ even over David (Acts 2:29-36) and at God’s right hand.

How Specifically did the People Respond?

They were pierced to the heart and repented:

God had planned for His Son to be the Savior they had been waiting for, they were living out the prophecy foretold by God through Joel, and their part was putting Jesus to death. Yet, Jesus as the catalyst for hope, whom they treated in such a wicked manner, still offered an opportunity for them to find hope in Him at His resurrection.

Their only response could be “what must we do to be saved?” This was a thoughtful response, without coercion. In their self-reflection they recognized how wicked their actions were.

They self-reflect and repent - based on the things stated by Peter (Acts 2:14-36)

Devotion:

Devoted to the Apostles Teaching; They obey the word of the apostles (Acts 2:37-42)

Devoted to Fellowship and Intimate Relationships

Devoted to worship and glorifying God

Devoted to those around them; They took ownership of each other (Acts 2:43-47)

Application:

The church is for those that believe and repent through faith.

We as a home church will actively expect repentance as a natural part of your life. This is not perfection, but sanctification as both an individual and as a unified people in God’s Kingdom.

Devotion to Scripture and Doctrine.

It is expected that you will participate in Biblical growth.

Parents will teach and be examples of biblical truth.

Devotion to Fellowship and Intimate Relationships.

As believers we are to be hospitable to one another, and especially to Christians. (brothers/sisters)

This means making time to connect and eat together.

Devotion to Worship and Glorifying God:

Devotion to those around your; Take ownership of each other. (Acts 2:43-47)