LESSON 12 ACTS PAINTS THE MODEL CHURCH

Acts of the Apostles is the only book in the world that paints the picture of the model church that Jesus built. The church is indigenous. Acts shows how the church began in Jerusalem and spread worldwide. A pattern of activity is seen.

Men went forth with only the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This was their sword (Eph. 6:17).

“…withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:16-17).

There were no creed books, catechisms, Prayer Books, or Manuals. They had only God’s word. Yet, take note of what they did not do!

They did not take money to build buildings. They built no orphanages. They built no hospitals. They started no grammar schools. They supported no Roman schools. They built no olympic gymnasiums.

They provided no support for preachers. They started no “welfare churches” who would depend on Jerusalem for support. They simply preached the gospel. So, what pattern is seen in what these apostles accomplished?

SELF GOVERNING Each church was independent and self-governing. Elders in each church were chosen. “ And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23).

Jerusalem now had elders, about 15 years after Acts 2. “And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea: 30 which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29-30).

The elders were obviously in charge. No indication that Antioch was in charge in Jerusalem, nor that Jerusalem elders held sway over Antioch. Jerusalem elders mentioned again in the problem of circumcision .

“And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question” (Acts 15:1-2).

Yet one more time, where perhaps they made a mistake? “and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs...”

“…Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them; 24 these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them,…”

“…and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law…”

“…Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them” (Acts 21:21-26).

How could Paul satisfy some customs of the Law of Moses, but then write about the Law being nailed to the cross? How could elders ask him to do this? This period of transition presented many problems, some of which may have been dealt with inconsistently?

Elders were also in Ephesus. “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church… Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:17, 28).

Elders were in Philippi. This time deacons are also present. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” (Philippians 1:1).

Some conclusions can be seen. 1. Elders in each church. 2. Each church functioned independently. 3. Churches cooperated (2 Cor. 8:19-23). 4. Churches handled their own discipline (1 Cor. 5).

5. No elders mentioned in Corinth, yet the church handled problems, even discipline. 6. No headquarters, diocese, districts, or associations. Churches were independent, autonomous, and indigenous. They governed themselves and no other.

SELF PROPOGATING Primitive churches were aggressive with the gospel. The gospel was taken from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 11:19-26). Barnabas was sent to help this group (Acts 11:22).

“ And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:” (Acts 11:22).

Barnabas sent to Tarsus for Saul. “And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26). Later, Barnabas and Saul were sent out by Antioch to Asia Minor.

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, …the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:1-3).

Paul concluded the journey and reported to Antioch. “and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled…”

“…And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles” (Acts 14:26-27).

He continued reporting the second journey to Antioch, so these mission journeys were a part of the work of Antioch. “And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch…”

“…And having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples” (Acts 18:22-23). This was the beginning of the third missionary journey by Paul.

Philippi helped Paul in some of his work (Philippians 4:15-18). “Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction…”

“…15 And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; 16 for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need” (Philippians 4:14-16).

Ephesus also was involved in the spread of the gospel in Asia. “ And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10).

Colossae was to help spread the gospel to Laodicea. “And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16).

Thessalonica had “sounded forth” the word in Macedonia and Achaia, thus being an example to them.

“…so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything” (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

Remember the charge against the apostles in Jerusalem? “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council…”

“… And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us” (Acts 5:27-28).

Has the church filled this county with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

It is obvious that churches felt the responsibility to propagate this gospel. Is it any wonder then, that Paul could affirm confidently:

“yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: 23 if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister” (Colossians 1:22-23).

SELF SUPPORTING Antioch sent to Jerusalem when a famine occurred (Acts 11:27-30). Churches in Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia sent to Jerusalem as Paul brought the monies back to Judea (Acts 20:4-5). Paul claimed he had brought alms to his nation (Acts 24:17).

“ Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:” (Acts 24:17).

Paul argued for reciprocity. “but now, I say, I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the saints. 26 For it hath been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem…”

“… 27 Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to minister unto them in carnal things” (Romans 15:25-27).

Acts records there were 2 things for which monies were sent to other churches: 1. For relief of the needy 2. For the support of preachers These occasions were temporary.

Some things not seen in Acts: 1. One church dependent on another for financial existence. 2. No permanent support of preachers in other churches. 3. No furnishing of places to meet. 4. No permanent welfare.

CONCLUSION Acts of the Apostles records God’s pattern for model churches, primitive churches, indigenous churches. They were: Self governing Self propagating Self supporting

First Century churches were established by the preaching of the gospel. They grew and flourished in any country and culture. They struggled through a pioneer period. Under inspired teachers, they did what God wanted them to do and be.

Many fine churches today in Tennessee. Who established them? Who built their buildings? Who permanently supports the preachers? Was there struggle? Was there a “pioneer period”?

Do we rob mission churches today? Do they need that “pioneer period”?

What would happen if churches in the USA took away all financial help?

Acts shows us the pattern of the primitive indigenous church.

Dare we change it?

Self governing. Self propagating. Self supporting.

“…All the churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16).