1. Hebron church of Christ
Don’t Forget:
2:00
Pew 5:45
Welcome to the
Hebron church of Christ

2. Problems in the Infant Church
Moral Problems
Personal Problems
Persecution Problems
Doctrinal Problems
Problems in the Infant Church
Acts 5-15

3. Moral Problems What was the problem? Hypocrisy
Acts 5:1-3, 8 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?…And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much
Hypocrisy

4. Moral Problems Why was this such a problem?
Lying would have affected the mindset of the church
Lying would have eventually affected church growth
What was the result of the problem?
The problem was fixed (Acts 5:5, 10)
Acts 5: …and believers were the more added to the Lord…

5. Moral Problems The church today suffers from moral problems
Through a loss of consistency in “Christianity”
Through a loss of respect for those in the church
I Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

6. Moral Problems When we fix those problems, the church can grow
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

7. Personal Problems What was the problem? Neglect/envy
Acts 6:1-2 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Neglect/envy

8. Personal Problems Why was this such a problem?
The needy were not being cared for
The church was not unified
What was the result?
“Deacons” were appointed (Acts 6:3-6)
Acts 6:7-8 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith

9. Personal Problems The church today suffers from personality problems
Acts 15: And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them…
III John 1:9-10 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not… prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

10. Personal Problems When we fix these problems, the church can grow
When people are properly cared for (James 1:27)
When people serve (I Corinthians 3:6-10)

11. Consider How Much the Church Would Grow If…
We cleansed ourselves of moral problems
We resolved personal problems

12. Consider During the Lord’s Supper:
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.