Early Church Apostles Teaching

In-depth study of the early church

Review of Acts 2:42-47:

In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:

1. Continual dedication to the Apostles’ teaching.
2. Continual dedication to fellowship (and the breaking of bread).
3. Continual dedication to prayer.
4. Meeting in the temple and homes for worship.
5. Conducting ministry (sharing as any had need).

As a result,

1. The Lord added to their number daily those being saved.

Dedication to the Apostles’ teaching, part 1.

What is the apostles’ teaching?  ________   _____________.

1.      The Gospels:  All that Jesus taught:  Matt. 28:20. 

o       All that Jesus Christ is and does, John ch. 1.

2.      The Old Testament:  Matt. 5:17, Jesus is the fulfillment.  Luke 24:27, 44; Acts 17:11, 18:28; the scriptures are about Jesus.

o       Note sermons by Peter, Stephen, Paul, etc.

o       Paul’s standard operating procedure, Acts 17:2.

3.      The Letters of the New Testament.  2 Peter 3:15-16.

What function does the Apostles’ teaching play?

·      Sanctification:  John 17:17

·      Belief:  John 17:20; Acts 2:41, 4:4;

·      Judgment:  John 12:48, Deut. 18:18-19

·      Equipping:  2 Tim. 3:16-17

o       Also primary ministry of Preachers / Teachers, Eph. 4:11-12

·      Encouragement and Hope:  Romans 15:4

·      Life:  Isaiah 55:10-11; John 5:24, 6:63, 68;

·      Basis of all teaching:  Acts 20:7; 1 Thess 1:6-10, 2:13, 4:1-2, 5:1-2;

In-depth study of the early church

Review of Acts 2:42-47:

In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:

1. Continual dedication to the Apostles’ teaching.
2. Continual dedication to fellowship (and the breaking of bread).
3. Continual dedication to prayer.
4. Meeting in the temple and homes for worship.
5. Conducting ministry (sharing as any had need).

As a result,

1. The Lord added to their number daily those being saved.

Dedication to the Apostles’ teaching, part 1.

What is the apostles’ teaching?  ________   _____________.

1. The Gospels:  All that Jesus taught:  Matt. 28:20. 

o       All that Jesus Christ is and does, John ch. 1.

1. The Old Testament:  Matt. 5:17, Jesus is the fulfillment.  Luke 24:27, 44; Acts 17:11, 18:28; the scriptures are about Jesus.

o       Note sermons by Peter, Stephen, Paul, etc.

o       Paul’s standard operating procedure, Acts 17:2.

1. The Letters of the New Testament.  2 Peter 3:15-16.

What function does the Apostles’ teaching play?

·      Sanctification:  John 17:17

·      Belief:  John 17:20; Acts 2:41, 4:4;

·      Judgment:  John 12:48, Deut. 18:18-19

·      Equipping:  2 Tim. 3:16-17

o       Also primary ministry of Preachers / Teachers, Eph. 4:11-12

·      Encouragement and Hope:  Romans 15:4

·      Life:  Isaiah 55:10-11; John 5:24, 6:63, 68;

·      Basis of all teaching:  Acts 20:7; 1 Thess 1:6-10, 2:13, 4:1-2, 5:1-2;

In-depth study of the early church

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Dedication to the Apostles’ teaching, part 1.

The Apostles teaching was what we now know as the Bible.

The Apostles teaching served the functions of:  Sanctification, Belief, Judgment, Equipping, Encouragement and Hope, and Life itself.  It was the basis of all teaching.

Dedication to the Apostles’ teaching, part 2:  Is that all my preacher can talk about?

·      Teaching is a mandatory part of making disciples.  Matthew 28:19-20.  “make disciples” = imperative command.  Going, baptizing and teaching, participles, all support the business of making disciples.

·      Teaching is the primary role of the Pastor.  Pastor means shepherd.  Word – flesh (John 1) – bread of life (John 6) – feed my sheep (John 21).  Examples:  Acts, Paul’s epistles, etc.

o       Also Matt. 4:4 (Deut. 8:3)

o       Acts 6 – Leaders to dedicate to ministry of the Word and prayer.

o       Paul:  Romans 10.  2 Tim 3-4.  Titus 1:3, Gal. 1, 1 Cor. 9:16 (Woe), 1 Cor. 1:21.

o       Eph. 4:11-16.  Pastors and Teachers grammatically joined.

In-depth study of the early church

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Dedication to the Apostles’ teaching, part 1.

The Apostles teaching was what we now know as the Bible.

The Apostles teaching served the functions of:  Sanctification, Belief, Judgment, Equipping, Encouragement and Hope, and Life itself.  It was the basis of all teaching.

Dedication to the Apostles’ teaching, part 2:  Is that all my preacher can talk about?

·      Teaching is a mandatory part of making disciples.  Matthew 28:19-20.  “make disciples” = imperative command.  Going, baptizing and teaching, participles, all support the business of making disciples.

·      Teaching is the primary role of the Pastor.  Pastor means shepherd.  Word – flesh (John 1) – bread of life (John 6) – feed my sheep (John 21).  Examples:  Acts, Paul’s epistles, etc.

o       Also Matt. 4:4 (Deut. 8:3)

o       Acts 6 – Leaders to dedicate to ministry of the Word and prayer.

o       Paul:  Romans 10.  2 Tim 3-4.  Titus 1:3, Gal. 1, 1 Cor. 9:16 (Woe), 1 Cor. 1:21.

o       Eph. 4:11-16.  Pastors and Teachers grammatically joined.

In-depth study of the early church  2/4/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Dedication to the Apostles’ teaching part 3:  2/4/07

How to be dedicated to the Apostles’ teaching.  Taken from Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, (Colorado Spring:  NavPress. 1996.)  Chapters Two and Three:  Bible Intake.

I)       Discipline yourself for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7)

A)    Train, exercise, discipline,

B)    γύμναζε:  gymnasium, gymnast, etc.

C)    John 17:17

D)    Discipline and training in God’s word is essential to all other disciplines:  Prayer, Worship, Evangelism, Serving, Stewardship, Fasting, Silence and Solitude, Journaling, Learning.  (Whitney’s other chapters) 

E)     And to all other functions of the church:  prayer, worship, ministry, evangelism.

II)    Hearing God’s Word.

A)    Luke 11:28:  Hear and obey.  Romans 10:17, 1 Timothy 4:13,

B)    How?

1)      Come to hear preaching

2)      Sermons or Bible on radio, tape/CD, television,

3)      Other Bible studies

4)      Make the time:  While driving, showering/dressing, cooking, cleaning, waiting,

C)    Prepare yourself before beginning:  1 Thessalonians 2:13

III) Reading God’s Word.

A)    Matthew 4:4 – not bread alone, 2 Timothy 3:16-17,

B)    First:  Make the time.  Television, waiting, breaks, lunch time, bed time, morning.

1)      Make it portable if necessary – copy/print out pages (www.khouse.org – Blue Bible)

C)    Second:  Make a plan:

1)      Study Bible plan, Bible bookstore reading plans, Open Windows,

2)      Read a few chapters a day from each Testament.

(a)    (three O.T. per day read it in a year.  Three N.T. per day reads it four times per year!)

3)      Make your own plan, be systematic about it.

(a)    Start in various places for variety

(b)   Maybe read a psalm a day

4)      Pastor Eric’s current plan:

(a)    Start in:  Gen., Joshua, Job, Isaiah, Matthew, Romans,

(b)   Psalms:  1st of the month:  Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121,

(i)     2nd of the month:  Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122,

(ii)   31st:  Psalm 119.

IV) Studying God’s Word.

A)    Acts 17:11, Be a Berean.

B)    Use study Bible, cross-references, concordance, etc.

V)    Memorizing God’s Word.

A)    Develop a plan, write down verses, take with you, choose partners, make pictures, memorize word for word.

B)    It supplies power, strengthens faith, helps in witnessing / counseling, aids God’s guidance, aids meditation,

VI) Meditating on God’s Word.

A)    Commanded by God, modeled in Scripture.

B)    Phil. 4:8, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:1-3; 39:3; 119:98-99.

C)    Repeat it, re-emphasize words, rewrite it, look for application, pray through the text, don’t rush!, consider the context.

VII)          Applying God’s Word.

A)    Ask:  Does this text reveal something I should…

1)      believe about God?

2)      praise or thank or trust God for?

3)      pray about for myself or others?

4)      have a new attitude about?

5)      make a decision about?

6)      do for the sake of Christ, others, or myself?

VIII)       Mix all of these with prayer.

A)    John 14:26, Psalm 119:18.

In-depth study of the early church  2/18/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Fellowship:  2/18/07

I)       Fellowship is assumed in the New Testament.

A)    Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 16:15-20, 18:15-20.

1)      Jesus building a body, Matt. 16:18, Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12-15, Eph. 4.

B)    Exemplified:  Acts 2:42,46.  In homes, at temple, with food, with ministry, for teaching, worship, prayer, etc.

C)    The balance of the book of Acts has groups organizing into local bodies of believers.

D)    The letters are written to groups of believers.

E)     Letters to Timothy and Titus contain specific instructions for leading a group of believers.

II)    Purpose of fellowship is mutual edification (building-up).

A)    Romans 12.  Hebrews 10:23-25.  James 5:19-20.

B)    Not a new idea:  Psalm 141:5, Eccl. 4:9-12, Prov. 27:17,

III) How not to fellowship

A)    1 Cor. 11:17-34.

IV) Given these examples and this purpose…

A)    What is true fellowship?

B)    Where can fellowship take place?

C)    With whom can we share true fellowship?

D)    What could be some barriers to fellowship?

E)     What should I discuss when I am with fellow believers?

F)     Is experiencing true fellowship a problem in churches today?

G)    How can we experience genuine fellowship?

In-depth study of the early church  2/18/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Fellowship:  2/18/07

I)       Fellowship is assumed in the New Testament.

A)    Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 16:15-20, 18:15-20.

1)      Jesus building a body, Matt. 16:18, Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12-15, Eph. 4.

B)    Exemplified:  Acts 2:42,46.  In homes, at temple, with food, with ministry, for teaching, worship, prayer, etc.

C)    The balance of the book of Acts has groups organizing into local bodies of believers.

D)    The letters are written to groups of believers.

E)     Letters to Timothy and Titus contain specific instructions for leading a group of believers.

II)    Purpose of fellowship is mutual edification (building-up).

A)    Romans 12.  Hebrews 10:23-25.  James 5:19-20.

B)    Not a new idea:  Psalm 141:5, Eccl. 4:9-12, Prov. 27:17,

III) How not to fellowship

A)    1 Cor. 11:17-34.

IV) Given these examples and this purpose…

A)    What is true fellowship?

B)    Where can fellowship take place?

C)    With whom can we share true fellowship?

D)    What could be some barriers to fellowship?

E)     What should I discuss when I am with fellow believers?

F)     Is experiencing true fellowship a problem in churches today?

G)    How can we experience genuine fellowship?

In-depth study of the early church  2/25/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Prayer:  2/25/07

I)       Corporate prayer in the book of Acts.

A)    Disciples gathered in the upper room, 1:14, 24.

B)    All new believers together, 2:42.

C)    Together at the temple for the hour of prayer, 3:1.

D)    Believers pray after Peter and John are released, 4:23-31.

E)     Believers lay hands on and pray for servants, 6:6.

F)     Peter and John pray for Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, 8:15.

G)    Church together for Peter, 12:5,12.

H)    Antioch church prays for Barnabas and Saul, 13:3.

I)       Prayer and fasting at appointment of elders, 14:23.

J)       Prayer in Philippi with new believers, 16:13, 16.

K)    Paul and Silas praying and singing in prison, 16:25.

L)     Paul prays with Ephesian elders, 20:36.

M)   Paul and other disciples at Tyre, 21:5.

N)    Prayer aboard the ship, 27:29.

II)    Basic principles of corporate prayer:

A)    Unity in the Spirit.  John 17:20-26.

1)      Others:  Ps. 133:1; Acts 4:32; Romans 15:1-7, 12:16, 14:19; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 1:27, 2:2, 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 3:8;

B)    Commanded together.  Eph. 6:18; Col. 3:16.

C)    Confessing to one another, James 5:16.

D)    Praying in the Spirit, Eph. 6:18, Jude 20; Rom. 8:26;

Christeen’s granddaughter, Julie Green,  3175 Kings Ridge Road, Carrollton, KY 41008.

In-depth study of the early church  2/25/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Prayer:  2/25/07

I)       Corporate prayer in the book of Acts.

A)    Disciples gathered in the upper room, 1:14, 24.

B)    All new believers together, 2:42.

C)    Together at the temple for the hour of prayer, 3:1.

D)    Believers pray after Peter and John are released, 4:23-31.

E)     Believers lay hands on and pray for servants, 6:6.

F)     Peter and John pray for Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, 8:15.

G)    Church together for Peter, 12:5,12.

H)    Antioch church prays for Barnabas and Saul, 13:3.

I)       Prayer and fasting at appointment of elders, 14:23.

J)       Prayer in Philippi with new believers, 16:13, 16.

K)    Paul and Silas praying and singing in prison, 16:25.

L)     Paul prays with Ephesian elders, 20:36.

M)   Paul and other disciples at Tyre, 21:5.

N)    Prayer aboard the ship, 27:29.

II)    Basic principles of corporate prayer:

A)    Unity in the Spirit.  John 17:20-26.

1)      Others:  Ps. 133:1; Acts 4:32; Romans 15:1-7, 12:16, 14:19; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:3; Phil. 1:27, 2:2, 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 3:8;

B)    Commanded together.  Eph. 6:18; Col. 3:16.

C)    Confessing to one another, James 5:16.

D)    Praying in the Spirit, Eph. 6:18, Jude 20; Rom. 8:26;

Christeen’s granddaughter, Julie Green,  3175 Kings Ridge Road, Carrollton, KY 41008.

In-depth study of the early church  3/4/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Ministry:  03/04/07  Acts 4:32-37

I)       V32:  This sharing grows out of unity.

A)    Early church unity, see also:  1:14, 2:1, 2:44-47.

B)    Unity was an answer to Jesus’ prayer for us:  John 17.

C)    Also on unity:  Romans 12:5, 15:5-6; 1 Cor. 1:10, 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:2-6; Php 1:27, 2:1-2; 1 Pet. 3:8;

II)    Commands for ministries like this:

A)    Jesus’ commands:

1)      Luke 12:33.  Luke 12 progression. 

(a)    Matthew 19:21 – the basis of Jesus’ challenge to a wealthy young ruler.

2)      Love one another, John 13:34-35, 15:12, 17;

3)      Luke 19:8-9, Jesus declares that salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house on the basis of genorisity.

B)    Love on another: Romans 12:10, 13:8; Gal. 5:13 (through love serve one another)

C)    1 Timothy 6:17-19, specifically to the rich.

D)    James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled…”

E)     Paul’s example of collecting for the poor in Jerusalem.  Romans 15:25-28; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1, 9:2, 13; Acts 19:21, 24:17.

III) Money was laid at the Apostles’ feet.

A)    Handling of the money must be above reproach.  2 Cor. 8:20-21; Luke 16:10-12;

B)    What they did not use the money for:  Acts 3:6

IV) Misuse of ministry for personal gain.

A)    Acts 5:1-11

V)    Ministry necessitated first organization of servants.

A)    Acts 6:1-7.

B)    Like V33, maintained outward focus while ministering to needs.  Avoid the ‘bubble’ effect.

VI) Ministry not to be abused or foster dependence

A)    2 Thess. 3:10-11; 1 Thess. 4:11-12; Eph. 4:28;

In-depth study of the early church  3/4/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Ministry:  03/04/07  Acts 4:32-37

I)       V32:  This sharing grows out of unity.

A)    Early church unity, see also:  1:14, 2:1, 2:44-47.

B)    Unity was an answer to Jesus’ prayer for us:  John 17.

C)    Also on unity:  Romans 12:5, 15:5-6; 1 Cor. 1:10, 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:2-6; Php 1:27, 2:1-2; 1 Pet. 3:8;

II)    Commands for ministries like this:

A)    Jesus’ commands:

1)      Luke 12:33.  Luke 12 progression. 

(a)    Matthew 19:21 – the basis of Jesus’ challenge to a wealthy young ruler.

2)      Love one another, John 13:34-35, 15:12, 17;

3)      Luke 19:8-9, Jesus declares that salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house on the basis of genorisity.

B)    Love on another: Romans 12:10, 13:8; Gal. 5:13 (through love serve one another)

C)    1 Timothy 6:17-19, specifically to the rich.

D)    James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled…”

E)     Paul’s example of collecting for the poor in Jerusalem.  Romans 15:25-28; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1, 9:2, 13; Acts 19:21, 24:17.

III) Money was laid at the Apostles’ feet.

A)    Handling of the money must be above reproach.  2 Cor. 8:20-21; Luke 16:10-12;

B)    What they did not use the money for:  Acts 3:6

IV) Misuse of ministry for personal gain.

A)    Acts 5:1-11

V)    Ministry necessitated first organization of servants.

A)    Acts 6:1-7.

B)    Like V33, maintained outward focus while ministering to needs.  Avoid the ‘bubble’ effect.

VI) Ministry not to be abused or foster dependence

A)    2 Thess. 3:10-11; 1 Thess. 4:11-12; Eph. 4:28;

In-depth study of the early church  3/25/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Acts 3 – an example of the how the Lord added to their number.

·      3:1 – 3:10 A lame man is healed resulting in wonder and amazement.

o       Are people still healed today?

o       People will notice a truly changed life.

·      3:11 – 3:16 Peter points out who really healed this man.

o       “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:  Peter’s audience are religious Jews familiar with recent events – a unique message for a unique situation.

o       Note the descriptions of Jesus here:  servant, Holy and Righteous One, Author (pioneer) of life.

o       Are there any miracles we can point to and give Jesus glory for?

o       Can we still preach personal responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus?

·      3:17 – 3:26 And now…

o       Repent – repeated in verse 26.

o       They had acted in ignorance.

§         It doesn’t nullify the sin – but it does make a difference.

§         See Lev. 4-5 and Num. 15:22-31. 

o       V20 – Repent…that times of refreshing may come.

o       V21 – Jesus to stay in heaven until Israel repents as a nation (Matthew 23:39, Zech. 12:10-13:1).

o       Moses…(Acts 7:37; Deut. 18:15-19;)

o       Abraham…(Genesis 22:18, 12:3; Rom. 9:4-5)

·      4:1-4 The results of the event

o       Leaders were annoyed.

o       The number of the men came to 5,000.

§         Who did that?  See Acts 2:37.

·      How is the lame man’s experience like our own salvation?

In-depth study of the early church  3/25/07

Review of Acts 2:42-47:  In these verses, the infant church is involved in five basic functions:  Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, worship, ministry, as a result the Lord added to their number daily.

Acts 3 – an example of the how the Lord added to their number.

·      3:1 – 3:10 A lame man is healed resulting in wonder and amazement.

o       Are people still healed today?

o       People will notice a truly changed life.

·      3:11 – 3:16 Peter points out who really healed this man.

o       “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:  Peter’s audience are religious Jews familiar with recent events – a unique message for a unique situation.

o       Note the descriptions of Jesus here:  servant, Holy and Righteous One, Author (pioneer) of life.

o       Are there any miracles we can point to and give Jesus glory for?

o       Can we still preach personal responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus?

·      3:17 – 3:26 And now…

o       Repent – repeated in verse 26.

o       They had acted in ignorance.

§         It doesn’t nullify the sin – but it does make a difference.

§         See Lev. 4-5 and Num. 15:22-31. 

o       V20 – Repent…that times of refreshing may come.

o       V21 – Jesus to stay in heaven until Israel repents as a nation (Matthew 23:39, Zech. 12:10-13:1).

o       Moses…(Acts 7:37; Deut. 18:15-19;)

o       Abraham…(Genesis 22:18, 12:3; Rom. 9:4-5)

·      4:1-4 The results of the event

o       Leaders were annoyed.

o       The number of the men came to 5,000.

§         Who did that?  See Acts 2:37.

·      How is the lame man’s experience like our own salvation?