The Practice Of The Early Church 1

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. — Acts 2:42 (ESV) 2

“everyone” 3

“only one” 4

“Lord’s command” — 1 Corinthians 14:47b 5

How does this compare to your church meetings? 6

... on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” — Acts 13:14-15 (NASV) 7

... in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. — Acts 14:1 (NASV) 8

... they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures... — Acts 17:1-2 (NASV) 9

... when they arrived*, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. * Berea — Acts 17:10-11 (NASV) 10

So he (Paul) was reasoning in the synagogue* with the Jews and the God- fearing Gentiles... * Athens — Acts 17:17 (NASV) 11

So he (Paul) was reasoning in the synagogue* with the Jews and the God- fearing Gentiles... * Athens — Acts 17:17 (NASV) Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue*, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. * Corinth — Acts 18:4 (NIV) 12

Paul entered the synagogue* and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. *Ephesus — Acts 19:8 (NIV) 13

Singing I Corinthians 14:26 Colossians 3:16 Ephesians 5:19 14

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord... — Ephesians 5:19 (NASV) 15

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord... — Ephesians 5:19 (NASV) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. — Colossians 3:16 (NASV) 16

Teaching I Corinthians 14:26 17

Various Charismatic Gifts 1 Corinthians 14:26 18

Acts 2:42 1 Corinthians 14: Timothy 4:13 Acts 14:26-28 Other Appropriate Contributions 19

And they were continually devoting themselves to... prayer. — Acts 2:42 (NASV) 20

And they were continually devoting themselves to... prayer. — Acts 2:42 (NASV) Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture... — 1 Timothy 4:13 (NIV) 21

... they sailed back to Antioch... On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. — Acts 14:26-27 (NIV) 22

Edification 1 Corinthians 14:26 23

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. — Proverbs 25:11 (NIV) 24

25 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. — Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. — 1 Peter 4:11 26

Tongues 1 Corinthians 14:

1 Corinthians 14: Thessalonians 5:19-22 Prophecy 28

The Role of Women 1 Corinthians 14:33b

30

1 Corinthians 14:36 Two Questions 31

32

1 Corinthians 14:37 The Lord’s Command 33

1 Corinthians 14:38 The Penalty 34

1 Corinthians 14:39-40 The Three Imperatives 35

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. — 1 Thessalonains 5:19-22 (NASV) 36

37

“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...” — Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASV ) 38

“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...” — Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASV ) 39

Is there a testimony the Lord would have you to bring? 40

Is there a testimony the Lord would have you to bring? Could you purpose to begin a time of conversational prayer? 41

Is there a testimony the Lord would have you to bring? Could you purpose to begin a time of conversational prayer? Is there a song you like that would edify the church? 42

Is there a testimony the Lord would have you to bring? Could you purpose to begin a time of conversational prayer? Is there a song you like that would edify the church? Is there some subject or passage of Scripture to teach on? 43

Is there a testimony the Lord would have you to bring? Could you purpose to begin a time of conversational prayer? Is there a song you like that would edify the church? Is there some subject or passage of Scripture to teach on? What has the Lord shown you this week in your time with Him? 44

Does your wife spend more time preparing for the meeting (cooking) than you do (considering how to encourage the church)? 45

What conclusions can be drawn about the way God desires church meetings to be conducted? 46

What conclusions can be drawn about the way God desires church meetings to be conducted? 1.PARTICIPATORY 1.PARTICIPATORY (1Co 14:26). 47

What conclusions can be drawn about the way God desires church meetings to be conducted? 1.PARTICIPATORY 1.PARTICIPATORY (1Co 14:26). 2.FITTING & ORDERLY (1Co 14:27, 31, 40) — ONE AT A TIME. 48

What conclusions can be drawn about the way God desires church meetings to be conducted? 1.PARTICIPATORY 1.PARTICIPATORY (1Co 14:26). 2.FITTING & ORDERLY (1Co 14:27, 31, 40) — ONE AT A TIME. 3.EDIFYING (1Co 14:3, 4, 5, 12, 26, 31). 49

What conclusions can be drawn about the way God desires church meetings to be conducted? 1.PARTICIPATORY 1.PARTICIPATORY (1Co 14:26). 2.FITTING & ORDERLY (1Co 14:27, 31, 40) — ONE AT A TIME. 3.EDIFYING (1Co 14:3, 4, 5, 12, 26, 31). 4. “LORD’S COMMAND” (1Co 14:37) 50

51

52 Elders?

Teaching 1 Corinthians 14:26 Matthew 28:19-20 Acts 2:42 Romans 12:7 1 Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11 1 Timothy 1:3, 2:11-15 James 3:1 53

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...” — Matthew 28:19-20 (NASV) 54

And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching... — Acts 2:42 (NASV) 55

And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching... — Acts 2:42 (NASV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is... teaching, let him teach... — Romans 12:6-7 (NIV) 56

God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers... — 1 Corinthians 12:28 (NASV) 57

God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers... — 1 Corinthians 12:28 (NASV) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers... — Ephesians 4:11 (NIV) 58

Church Meetings — Versus — Ministry Meetings 59

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. — James 3:1 (NASV) 60

Command certain men not to teach strange doctrines any longer. — 1 Timothy 1:3 61

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. — 1 Timothy 2:11-12 (ESV) 62

Preaching Acts 20:7 63

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. — Acts 20:7 (KJV) 64

dialegomai dialog (a reciprocal conversation) “to consider and discuss, argue” — Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, Dankert, p. 186 ESV ~ “Paul talked with them” 65

66 Revised 06/22/13