The Good Shepherd

Acts

Acts 2:42–47 NRSV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

"The church was unified (), magnified (), and multiplied (). It had a powerful testimony among the unsaved Jews, not only because of the miracles done by the Apostles (), but also because of the way the members of the fellowship loved each other and served the Lord. The risen Lord continued to work with them () and people continued to be saved. What a church!

The Christians you meet in the Book of Acts were not content to meet once a week for “services as usual.” They met daily (), cared daily (), won souls daily (), searched the Scriptures daily (), and increased in number daily (). "

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From the beginning the early church was devoted to hearing, studying, and learning what the apostles had to teach.

"There is nothing more unchristian than a solitary Christian."

John Wesley

The fellowship (koinonia) means common

As we do the work of the church, one thing began to crystallize in my mind. The more work you do for the Lord, the more you want to do for the Lord.

The more you give the more you want to give, the more time you spend in God's Holy Word, the more you want to study, learn, listen, and read.

The more you work on kingdom building, the more you want to do.

Life Application Bible Commentary, Acts The Believers Meet Together / 2:42–47

JOY IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

Wherever the gospel message went, it brought joy to those who believed. Follow this theme through the book of Acts (verses are quoted from NIV):

2:46

“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.”

5:41

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

8:8

“So there was great joy in that city [Philip in Samaria].”

8:39

“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.”

11:23

“When he [Barnabas] arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.”

12:14

“When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

13:48

“[In Iconium] When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”

13:52

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

14:17

[Paul speaking in Lystra] “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

15:3

“The church sent them [Paul & Barnabas] on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.”

15:31

“The people read it [the letter from Jerusalem] and were glad for its encouraging message.”

16:34

“The [Philippian] jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.”

Part 1 of 3

John 10

John 10:1–10 NRSV

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.