1 The Jerusalem Church A Study of the 1 st Congregation

2

3 “ Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High ” Genesis 14:18 “ For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. ” Hebrews 7:1-3 “ The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." 2 The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, "Rule in the midst of Your enemies." 3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." ” Psalm 110:1-4 “ He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you." ” Genesis 22:2

4

5 Jerusalem has long held importance From Melchizedek and Abraham To David and Solomon –J–Jerusalem was destroyed and rebuilt awaiting the promise to David 2 Samuel 7:10-16 “ … 12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. … 16"Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever. ”

6

7 Establishment of the Church Apostles commanded not to leave Jerusalem We find them still in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost Also gathered are Jews from all over the Roman Empire –A–Acts 2:9-11 “ Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs … ” Acts 2:16-21 “ but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 'And it shall be in the last days,' God says, 'That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; 18 Even on my bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. … ” Acts 2:16-21 “ …19 'And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 'The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. 21 'And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' ”

8 Establishment of the Church Peter continues to show Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy of David –A–Acts 2:22-35 “ Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified. ” – v. 36 “ Brethren, what shall we do? ” – v. 37 “ Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ” – v. 38 “ Be saved from this perverse generation! ” – v. 40 “ …with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. ” – v

9 The Perfect Congregation Under leadership of inspired men – the apostles –A–Among the nucleus of the church is the 120 of Acts 1 Note those converted … “ devout men ” Acts 1:5

10 The Perfect Congregation With members like this, it’s no surprise that … “ They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ” – v. 42

11 The Perfect Congregation With leadership & members like this, the congregation is sure to experience phenomenal growth –A–Acts 2:46-47 “ Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. ”

12

13 “ What shall we do? ” “ Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins ” Acts 2:37, 38 “ repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you ” - Acts 8:22

14