Equipping & Envisioning Study #2

Acts 2:42

ICE BREAKER - In pairs, talk about a really good moment you have had in Church. Why was it so memorable?

This verse tells us about the normative life of the early church.

This is what ordinary church looked like. As such it provides us with the benchmark of what our Fellowship needs to look like today - “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

1. Who are the “they”?

The three thousand who confessed faith in Christ and were baptized (see Acts 2:41) who showed the genuineness of their faith by continuing. Believers who have repented of their sins and are “saved” make up the church and this is important because as Jacob Jervell observes: “Luke does not speak of the Christians primarily as ‘church,’ but as a people,”

Despite the hate, ridicule, and persecution they suffered, they remained faithful. That is a mark of genuine salvation. Jesus said in John 8:31, “If you abide in My word, then ayou are truly my disciples.”

The true branch will abide in the vine (John 15:1–4). The good seed will not wither and die under persecution (Matt. 13:3–9, 21).

In contrast, the apostle John writes of false believers, “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:19).

2. What does it mean by “devoted”?

it means to continue in or persist in. (Grk: ἦσαν … προσκαρτεροῦντες).

It is as Timothy Johnson refers to as “continuing and consistent patterns of behavior.”

Or as Lenski puts it, “to adhere with strength” to something.

This speaks of the COMMITMENT of New Testament beleivers to the church. They did not separate their relationship with Christ from the relationship with His body.

“We commit to other believers in the local church simply because it's part of God's calling us into his family. It's what it means to be a Christian. Take the passage from 1 John 4:19-21. It starts with our salvation: "He first loved us." Then it continues into our love for other Christians. "Whoever loves God must also love his brother." Every person loved by God in this salvific sense loves other Christians. There are no exceptions. And that means we should stop viewing commitment to a local church as a process and start viewing it as an event. The event is our salvation, and commitment is something that inevitably follows- not something that merely happens as we mature.” ― Jamie Dunlop, The Compelling Community: Where God's Power Makes a Church Attractive

3. What did they persist in?

There are 4 indentifying marks here...

(i). “The Apostles teaching”

This is the teaching that these thousands of new beleivers needed to know in order to live as children of God. Jesus alludes to this in Luke when He said, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25–27).

The apostolic teaching or “doctrine” (διδαχή) was passed on to them by Jesus and is to be “received” (not negotiated) by us. see 1 Cor 15:3-4. As Lenski says: “Διδαχή is both the work of teaching and the doctrine taught. In this case both meanings flow together.”

We who continue in the “Apostles teaching” provide ongoing continuity to the “faith once delivered to the saints”(Jude 1:3).

At its most basic, it is captured by the statement “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”(Acts 8:37). And as we have already noted, according to Paul, that unpacks to a faith that holds that Christ died for our sins and rose again for us and this is “of first importance”.

So, the “apostles teaching” provides a continuity with Jesus, through the Apostles and handed down to the Church for all generations. Our faith is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Hismelf as the chief cornerstone” (Eph 2:20) .

Those who follow and obey the “Apostles teaching” are part of the the One. Catholic and Apostolic Church, being of “one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”(Eph 4:4-6).

And this is also a reminder as Jaroslav Pelikan explains that “the Apostles teaching is : “also prescriptive, as an itemized list of the criteria by which the church in any age would both preserve and manifest its continuity with the apostles.”

This is why the Pastoral Epistles and moe generally the letters of Paul and Peter John and the others writers of the New Testament are so important. 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, were written to articulate this teaching and pass it on to a new generation of leaders who were to “teach others also”(2 Tim 2:2).

So, Elders or Overseers (1 Tim. 3:1) and “deacons” (1 Tim. 3:8), are part of this passing on process. So, Paul reminds Timothy of “the gift … which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you” (1 Tim. 4:14), and so he commands that Timothy guard the “deposit” of faith (1 Tim. 6:20). An elder must be one who holds “fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).

In the light of this, note these scriptures which shows that a commitment to the apostles’teaching is foundational to the growth and spiritual health of every church.

Peter wrote, “Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).

Again to the Romans Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).

And Paul’s letters to his protégés Timothy and Titus also reflect the priority of preaching the Word. “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (1 Tim. 4:6).

“Prescribe and teach these things” (1 Tim. 4:11).

“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13).

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:16).

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:1–2).

To summariese, we devote outselves to “the Apostles teaching” because it is crucial to the maintainence of our faith.

Apostolic doctrine is our way of continuing in Jesus who said: “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32).

And this was so important to Jesus that he prayed in John 17: “I have given to them the words which you gave me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from you and they have believed that you sent me” (v. 8).

(ii). “Fellowship” :

The Grk: κοινωνία, refers to sharing in or particpating inor have communiow with something or in someone. So we can have “fellowship” with Christ (1 Cor 1:9); fellowship in the “body” and “blood” of Christ (1 Cor 10:16); “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”(2 Cor 13 :14) and even ἡ κοινωνία τῆς διακονίας (2 Cor. 8:4), a fellowship of sharing in the service to the saints, through hospitality; acts of kindess and the giving of money to releive poverty or active recongition of your involvement in church life - “they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised."(2 Cor 8:9).

The basic meaning of koinōnia (fellowship) is “partnership,” or “sharing.” Those who receive Jesus Christ become partners with Him and with all other believers (1 John 1:3). . Chrysostom said, “the fellowship was not only in prayers, nor in doctrine alone, but also in social relations [πολιτεία].”

That fellowship is permanent, because our shared eternal life is forever. The joy associated with it, however, may be lost through sinful neglect of its duties

Fellowship includes the spiritual duty of believers to stimulate each other to holiness and faithfulness.

It is most specifically expressed through the “one anothers” of the New Testament (cf. Rom. 12:10, 16; 13:8; 14:19; 15:5, 7, 14; 16:16; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 4:2, 25, 32; 5:21; Phil. 2:3; Col. 3:9, 13, 16; 1 Thess. 4:9, 18, 5:11, 13; Heb. 3:13; 1 Peter 1:22; 4:9, 10; 5:5, etc.).

For a Christian to fail to participate in the life of a local church is inexcusable. In fact, those who choose to isolate themselves are disobedient to the direct command of Scripture. Hebrews 10:24–25 charges believers to “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.”

The Bible does not envision the Christian life as one lived apart from other believers. All members of the body of Christ, are to be actively and intimately involved in local assemblies.

I retweeted on the Church’s Twitter account this from Matt Smethurst an American pastor who cited this froim Dr Tony Evans: “I hear people say, “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian,” and they are right. Salvation is through faith alone in Christ alone. You also don’t have to go home to be married—but stay away long enough, and your relationship will be affected. “ — DrTonyEvans

(iii). “Breaking of bread”

Involved sharing of possessions and lives in common meals. (see 1 Cor 11)

For Luke, the "breaking of bread” was also a revelatory experience with the Risen Lord as he described it in the Emmaus narrative in which the two with whom Jesus ate report to the disciples how Christ was “made known to them in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35).

“the breaking of bread” is commanded by our Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 11:24–29).

In Communion, all believers meet on common ground at the foot of the cross (Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20), since all are sinners saved by the grace of God in Christ. Communion acknowledges the wondrous work of the Lord Jesus on the cross.

Communion further exemplifies the unity of believers, since in it all partake together symbolically of the same Lord (Eph. 4:5).

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, “Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.”

“Communion calls for self-examination and purging of sin, thus purifying the church. Nothing is more vital to the church’s ongoing, regular confrontation of sins in the lives of its people than the thoughtful expression of devotion to the remembrance of the cross. “ (John MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Moody, 1984], p. 265ff.)

(iv). “Prayer”

Prayer points to a patterned practice that was routinely carried out in the context of the believing assembly. The prayer in view here is not only that of individual believers but of the church corporately (cf. 1:14, 24; 4:24–31).

Prayer is central to the church’s life (Acts 4:24; 6:4; 12:5; 13:3; 20:36); it provides the key link between the exalted Lord in heaven and his body on earth, for by it he guides and strengthens his people, especially in mission (Acts 4:29–31; 6:6; 8:15; 14:23; 28:8).

Understanding the sense of loss His disciples were feeling as they anticipated His leaving, the Lord Jesus Christ had promised in John 14:13–14 that “whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” The early church took that promise as the source of God’s provision for all their needs, and they relentlessly pursued divine help.

Prayer is commanded at all times (Luke 18:1; Eph. 6:11), and to be devoted to prayer (Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2).

Those elements are the unique expressions of the life of the church. They are the means of grace by which the church becomes what God wants it to be.

A church that fulfills the spiritual duties will find that those duties produce spiritual character.

SMALL GROUPS - Break into 4 groups with each been given one of the 4 areas - Apostles teaching; fellowship; breaking of bread and prayer - Note the thigns we are good at here; the areas in which we can improve and practically how we can make those improvements.

4. What was the Impact?

And the passage in Acts ends by showing us the voerall impact on the wider community:

Acts 2:43–45 shows that these 4 practices of the Church led them from worship to service as these believers became actively involved in the work of the Lord.

(i). Inspiring “fear” or awe which menat they were respected; taekn seriously and earned “the favour of all the people.”

(ii). MIracles occured among them

(iii). They gladly and sincerely shared their goods with one another so that no one lacked.

The Greek word “agalliasis” transalted “gladness” is the noun form of the verb agalliaō, which means “to rejoice.” The Greek word “Aphelotēs” translated “sincerity” appears only here in the New Testament and literally means “simplicity” deriving from a root word meaning “free from rocks,” or “smooth” (A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament). In other words there was no stones of selfishness in their hearts.

It is worth noting however that Acts 4:32–5:11, the selling of one’s goods was a voluntary matter, and the way in which special attention is given to Barnabas for selling a field may suggest that there was something unusual about his act. We should not, therefore, conclude that becoming a believer necessarily entailed living in a tight-knit Christian community. What actually happened may have been that each person held his goods at the disposal of the others whenever the need arose.

(iii). They worshipped together on a daily basis - the early church was marked by faithful attendance—meeting together daily in the temple courts.

(iv). They grew even larger with people being saved “daily”.

A normal New Testament church prays together; meets the needs of one another; eats together and worships together. This is how we practice the presence of Jesus. This is how WCF can BE WITH JESUS; BECOME LIKE JESUS and DO WHAT JESUS DOES!

KEY MESSAGE FOR US - The Lord grows the church. Let’s not miss the order—first godly relationships centred around the apostles teaching; fellowship; the breaking of bread and prayer, then growth as the Lord adds to our number!

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and people will be saved and become a part of his body, the church.

This is the pattern and it works! Irenaeus served as bishop of Lyons from approximately A.D. 175–195. In his book Against Heresies he wrote: “This preaching, as cited, and this Faith, as aforementioned, the Church although scattered in the whole world, diligently guards as if it lived in one house, and believes, like the above, as if it had one mind and the same heart, and preaches and teaches and hands on these things harmoniously, as if it had but one mouth. And although there are different languages in the world, the force of the tradition is one and the same.”

And this will be our pattern - God understands all our shortcomings, our failures, and our problems. Yet he has no other plan for sharing the good news with the world than the proclamation of his people.

When we truly believe the power of the Gospel message and truly behave like these early believers, that God will use it as teh way of “salvation” for many then we pray that some historian may write of our churches, And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

SMALL GROUPS - Beginning in November we hope to begin our House Groups/small groups again. How do we ensure these are used effectively to encompass all of thesae 4 areas of normal church life and have the added impact of providing an evangelistic opportunity so that people can be added to the Church?