The First Christian Fellowship Acts 2: 42 – 47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

Introduction First local church – Initial “believers” on whom the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost – Plus, portion of 3000 who were saved through Peter’s sermon, who lived in Jerusalem God’s ideal; newborn church in its prime – Purity of devotion to the risen Lord – Unmatched in succeeding generations

Overview Three dimension of the first local church – Spiritual duties – v. 42 – Spiritual character – vv. 43 – 47a – Spiritual impact – v. 47b

Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a saved church – They devoted themselves – “They” – 3,000 who confessed Christ and were baptized in verse 41 – Showed genuineness of faith by “devoting themselves” – Despite hate, ridicule, and persecution, they remained faithful Mark of genuine salvation – John 8:31: “If you abide in my word, they you are truly disciples of mine.” – Church was made up of only saved believers Unbelievers are welcome to attend Membership and service should be restricted to believers They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a scriptural church – to the apostles’ teaching – God’s ideal church – a place where His Word is proclaimed and explained – A commitment to the apostles’ teaching Foundational to the growth and spiritual health of any church Scripture is food for the believer’s growth and power 1 Peter 2:2 – “Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” – Apostles’ teaching is now written in the New Testament – Everyday a believer should learn something new from or be enriched by the truth in God’s word

Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a fellowshipping church – and to the fellowship – Fellowship is the spiritual duty of believers to stimulate each other to holiness and faithfulness – Koinonia (fellowship) – “partnership” or “sharing” – All members of the universal church are to be actively and intimately involved in local assemblies

Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a Christ-centered church – to the breaking of bread – Fellowship was symbolized by obedience to the spiritual duty of the breaking of bread Celebration of Communion, the Lord’s Supper – In Communion, all believers meet on common ground at the foot of the cross – all are sinners saved by the grace of God in Christ – Communion symbolizes the unity of believers 1 Cor. 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.”

Spiritual Duties (v. 42) It was a praying church – and to prayer – Eagerly and persistently engaged in the central duty of prayer Not only individual members but the church corporately – Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscles of omnipotence – John 14:13-14 – “Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Spiritual Character (vv a) It was an awe-inspiring church – Everyone was filled with awe – Awe – feeling produced when you realize God is near – Everyone – inside and outside the church – Not awed by the church building, programs, or human abilities; but by the supernatural character of its life Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 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, praising God (Acts 2:43-47a)

Spiritual Character (vv a) It was a miraculous church – and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles – Wonders and signs were designed to attract attention and point to spiritual truths – God used miracles to confirm the apostles were indeed His messengers Age of miracles has passed Apostolic age has passed – apostles are no longer alive The canon of Scripture is complete – The Bible No longer need miracles to confirm a person speaks for God; compare his teaching with God’s Word in the Bible

Spiritual Character (vv a) It was a sharing church – All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together – They possessed both spiritual unity and practical oneness – All believers were together Not communal living Family, not the commune, is the basic social unit in God’s design – Personal property was sold as anyone might have need Indicative of generosity; not a commune life – Sharing in spiritual benefits and ministry also Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts – Fellowship in homes as well as worship in the temples They broke bread together in their home and ate together – 1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without complaint”

Spiritual Character (vv a) It was a joyful church – with glad and sincere hearts, praising God – A unified, miraculous, sharing church will also be a joyful church One key reason for joy was their sincere hearts – Praising God also produced joy Reciting his wonderful works and attributes Goal of the first fellowship was to exalt the Lord; that produced true happiness

Spiritual Impact (v. 47b) They were an attractive church – and enjoying the favor of all the people – Their duties and character granted them the favor of all the people People could see their transformed lives – Went to the temple every day – Open about their faith – Their unity was an answer to Jesus’ high priestly prayer “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21) And enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47b)

Spiritual Impact (v. 47b) They were a growing church – And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved – Effective evangelism was the ultimate impact of the first fellowship’s spiritual duties and character – God is sovereign in salvation – the Lord added to the church those who were being saved – True evangelism flows from the life of a healthy church People were being saved as they observed the daily conduct of the believers

Conclusion Proper devotion to the duties of the Spirit Produces proper character Produces a powerful and saving impact on sinners