The First Century Church

What do we know about the Church in the bible?

There are many questions people have when they come to the scriptures and study about a church in the bible. You notice a sigularity in the discription. That causes much confusion today, in 2024 it was reconized that there are more than 45,000 denominations of churches that all worship Jesus. However is this correct? does it matter? Maybe we just do things differently today than they did then.

I would like to issue a challenge to each and everyone of you, If the first century church was of Christ, And we want to be of christ, Shouldn’t we believe and behave the same way they did if we want to claim to be the Lord’s Church?

Let’s examine the church found in the New Testament. What was necessary for salvation? What did they do? How did someone Get in to the church? How did they behave? What did they Believe? What was their authority? How did they treat one another?

The formation of the church took place in 33 AD, When Peter and the other Apostles preached to the mass of people on Pentecost. This was following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, His resurection, and His ascencion. Peter tells the people in the audience that this Jesus who they had yelled “Crucify Him!” God has made him both Lord and Christ. This causes them to be pricked in their hearts. They begin to feel shame, They feel guilt, They feel Hopelessness. They have killed the Son of God, the Messiah that was promised. They said “What shall we do?” What do we do?! Imagine for a moment. We are all guilty of sin, we are all responsible for Jesus needing to come to Earth and be crucified. However, We did not actually yell crucify him, we did not laugh and say if you’re the Son of God come down. So sometimes we dont understand the fear that must have taken over some of these people. What are we to do? we Murdered God’s Son!

Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?””

Peter Says: “You’re alright! Relax! The Lord Loves You! This is no big deal God loves you,

Here, just repeat after me, I have a prayer for you to say that will grant salvation. say this prayer and you’ll be fine!” Right? is that what he said? lets read it,

Acts 2:38 “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

How did the people respond?

Acts 2:41 “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

So that is what it took to be added to the Church found in the new testament.

This was a matter of salvation. If you want forgiveness of your sins, you must repent and be baptized.

So, 3,000 people were added to the church. This is a big Church! they’re going to need a really big building! Right? What we understand from scripture is they met in people’s homes. This does not make a church building wrong. This is simply a matter of where to meet.

But imagine over 3,000 people trying to come together to worship.

You couldn’t possibly get to know all 3,000+ people. How could you possibly know everyone? Lets keep reading and see what they did about this situation.

Acts 2:42–47 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

We’ll discuss this more in just a bit, however,

One quick fact about this passage, something to take away is the Lord adds you to his church. You aren’t voted upon by a board of people that get to determine if you can be saved, God Adds you to his Church.

Note: Placing membership somewhere Locally is a different situation, We are told 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Also Jesus Himself warns in Matthew 7:15 ““Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Therefore it is an elderships job to test anyone who would wish to be a member at White Bluff, They need to know what this person believes and if they have obeyed God’s plan of salvation.

Acts 20:28–35 “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ””

Theres another passage just a couple chapters forward. This passage is talking about the church following Peter and John’s arrest and they were warned

Acts 4:18–20 “And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.””

Following this situation, They prayed for boldness to proclaim the Good News to everyone. This is the churches response:

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. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 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 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”

So now we know what the scripures say about how More than 3,000 people acted together, Are we doing that here in the community of White Bluff? We don’t have 3,000 people gathering here.

Do you know how many people live in White Bluff? I googled it, and so i know i have the true numbers because you can’t put anything on the internet thats not true.

The total Number is 4,353.

Imagine for a moment the entire town of White Bluff being of one Mind. would that be weird? How many of you are on Hip white bluff, the facebook group? Ohhhh man theres all kinds of fires that start there. Can you imagine getting on there and everyone agrees? Thats just weird right?

The 1st century Church had one mind. How is that possible?

They had all things in common? How is that possible?

You might be sitting there thinking, “Okay so thats great that they had one mind preacher man, but things are different now. Besides that doesnt say that WE have to be of one mind, Right?”

Lets read what Paul says to the Church in Philippians.

Philippians 2:1–5 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”

How was it possible for the Church in the first century to be of one mind?

Is it possible for us today?

Well what did they do? they did 4 things acording to Acts 2:42

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching

and to fellowship,

to the breaking of bread

and to prayer.”

So now i need to ask you:

Are you continually devoting yourself to the apostle’s teachings? The Bible. The Scriptures.

What about Fellowship? Spending time with one another, Outside of Worship.

What about eating together? Spending time together outside of Worship.

What about Praying, alone or with other Christians? Spending time together outside Worship.

How often do you spend time with members of the church, Outside of this building? I know many people do stay and visit following services, however even if we spend an hour after every service, that only gives you 3 hours a week with that person.

How many people from the congregation have you invited to your home?

How many have you invited out to eat, wanted to share a meal?

I mean no offense by saying this but how well do you know the people in this Auditorium this morning?

How well do you know your friends in your “Group”? How well do you know the other parents at the sporting event your child participates in? How well do you know the people you work with?

How much time do you spend with them?

How much time do you spend with your Brothers & Sisters in Christ?

You see there is nothing wrong with sports, Having friends, or having a job. I really know However i would simply ask are these things more important to you and your family than going to the assembly of the church to worship with each other?

At Challenge Youth Conference this year, They did a SWAT presentation. Thats (Skits With A Truth).

There are a few things they said in this that I would like to share with you,

On one of them Rico Swave, Had a few letter written with observations, Here are a few of those observations:

Do you notice how people will show up early to a concert to get a seat in the front row, However they will show up to church late and sit in the back.

Do you notice how youth can stay up all night long, hanging out with their friends in anticipation, yet struggle to stay awake and locked in for a 30 min bible class or lesson?

On one of the other skits theres a gentleman who is the usher for the congregation with a man in training and a person comes up and is looking for a new church home, He wants to know what the people are like here, So the usher asks, Well what were the people like at the congregation you left? He replies well we showed up right before services started we sat in the back, no one really payed attention to us, and we left right after, No one ever took the time to chase us down and invite us to eat, to their home and we just never felt welcomed, they weren’t very warm and friendly. The usher smiled and said i think you’ll find that the people are the same here.

Then another person approached and he had the same situation asked the same question to the usher and the usher asked him how their people were at the congregation he was from, the man replied, Well, we were very sorry to have to leave our family there, The congregation was great! We were very involved, we had lots of friends and we were always being invited to eat and inviting others. the usher smiled, and said you’ll find the same people here.

The people walked off. the helper then asked what do you mean? you just told the same answer to two different people. the implication there is Its not what I want to see its what theyre looking for, People tend to find what they’re looking for.

I would like for us to consider a possibility.

The Church in the first Century was an identity of Who they were. They carried their faith throughout all other walks of life. Including relationships with each other, Work, and any other facet of their lives.

In Contrast:

The church today is just something we do. A place we go to because we’re told were suppose to. But I don’t enjoy it, Its not fun, the people there don’t like me, I don’t like them. I just want to go get my Heaven point for the week and then get back to my life.

I’m not saying that is the attitude for everyone, However is it your attitude?

Where do you find that attitude among the Christians in the first century?

We need to be more involved with each other.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭27 ERV

“A person has only one body, but it has many parts. Yes, there are many parts, but all those parts are still just one body. Christ is like that too. Some of us are Jews and some of us are not; some of us are slaves and some of us are free. But we were all baptized to become one body through one Spirit. And we were all given the one Spirit. And a person’s body has more than one part. It has many parts. The foot might say, “I am not a hand, so I don’t belong to the body.” But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body. The ear might say, “I am not an eye, so I don’t belong to the body.” But saying this would not make the ear stop being a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, it would not be able to hear. If the whole body were an ear, it would not be able to smell anything. If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But as it is, God put the parts in the body as he wanted them. He made a place for each one. So there are many parts, but only one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the foot, “I don’t need you!” No, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are actually very important. And the parts that we think are not worth very much are the parts we give the most care to. And we give special care to the parts of the body that we don’t want to show. The more beautiful parts don’t need this special care. But God put the body together and gave more honor to the parts that need it. God did this so that our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other. If one part of the body suffers, then all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part is honored, then all the other parts share its honor. All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body.” ‭‭‬ ‭

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

How can You encourage someone when you don’t know anything about them?

How can you build someone up if you don’t know them?

How can you bear someones burdens if you have no idea what they’re going through?

How can you love your Brothers and Sisters if you Don’t Know Them?

1 John 4:20 “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

At the end of the day, As a Christian, You have a responsibility.

Hebrews 10:24–25 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Philippians 2:14–15 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,”

Philippians 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

If you are here this morning and you haven’t been living like a member of the body of Christ, God does still love you, He wants you to be right with him. You have that opportunity this morning.

Maybe you’re here and you have never become a member of the Lord’s Church.

There is water prepared, Just like those people we read about in Acts, You can be saved today.

Acts 2:38 “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

1 Peter 3:21 “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

If we can help you in any way please come now as we stand and sing.