1. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of
First Century Christians

2. Faith – Repentance - Baptism
The
Beginning
of the
Christian
Life
Trials
Afflictions
Heartaches
Cross-bearing
Heaven
Joy
Peace
Hope
Faith – Repentance - Baptism
Christian Duty
Study, Learn, and Worship
Growth
Obedient and Faithful in All Things
Seen
in the lives of
faithful Christians
in the first century

3. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
Why did certain people called Christians lived as they did in the First Century?
Consider the Christian … Paul … and why he suffered as he did for the cause of Christ.

4. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 – “Are they ministers of Christ? -- I speak as a fool -- I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness -- besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”

5. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
Why did Paul suffer for the cause of Christ?
Consider Paul’s attitude and the reward he sought as motivation…

6. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

7. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
2 Timothy 4:6-8 – “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

8. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
Living life is not always easy… there are heartaches, troubles, aggravations, etc
Living life with integrity takes work … and Jesus knows that!
Jesus knows our troubles…

9. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
Revelation 2:2-3 – “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

10. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
Revelation 2:9 – “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”

11. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
Revelation 2:11 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

12. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
What do we learn from the Christians of the First Century?

13. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Sincere – of One Heart

14. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Sincere – of One Heart
Acts 4:32 – “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.”

15. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Sacrificial

16. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Sacrificial
Romans 12:1-2 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

17. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Sacrificial
1 Peter 2:4-5 – “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

18. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Sacrificial
Acts 4:34-35 – “Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”

19. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They sought to Please God – Who Came First

20. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They sought to Please God – Who Came First
Acts 4:19-20 – “But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’”

21. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They sought to Please God – Who Came First
Acts 5:29 – “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

22. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They sought to Please God – Who Came First
Acts 5:40-41 – “And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

23. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had the “CAN DO” attitude

24. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had the “CAN DO” attitude
Jesus teaches His disciples … and us….
Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples…”
Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…”
Luke 10:37 – “Go and do likewise…”
Matthew 7:12 – “…do also to them…”
John 9:4 – “We must work the works of Him who sent Me…”

25. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had the “CAN DO” attitude
When life got tough for the First Century Christians … they did not give up the on the Lord…
Acts 8:1,3-4 – “…a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria … As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”

26. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
What caused this “CAN DO” Attitude?
They were Taught the Gospel – Acts 2:14-41; Acts 4:4; Acts 5:14; Acts 5:42; Romans 10:17
They were Taught Daily – Acts 2:42; Acts 5:42
As a Result … there were Daily Additions – Acts 2:47
The Christians Taught Everywhere … they Filled Jerusalem – Acts 5:28,42
The Christians were Persistent – Acts 5:42 – “…they did not cease teaching and preaching…”
The Christians Turned the World Upside Down – Acts 17:6; Acts 20:20
Every Christian Taught the Word – Acts 8:4

27. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They Opposed Error

28. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They Opposed Error
Revelation 2:2 – “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars…”

29. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They Opposed Error
Acts 15:1-2 – “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.”

30. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They did Not Compromise with Error

31. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They did Not Compromise with Error
Galatians 2:5 – “to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”

32. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They did Not Compromise with Error
Galatians 2:11-14 – “Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?’”

33. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They Tested the Spirits

34. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They Tested the Spirits
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

35. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They Tested the Spirits
Revelation 2:2 – “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars…”

36. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They Tested the Spirits
Acts 17:11 – “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

37. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Focused on their First Love

38. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Focused on their First Love
Hebrews 12:2 – “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…”

39. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Focused on their First Love
Revelation 2:4-6 – “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place -- unless you repent.”

40. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Focused on their First Love
Ephesians 1:15 – “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints…”

41. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had Changed their Lives

42. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had Changed their Lives
Colossians 3:1-2,5-10 – “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. …Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him…”

43. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had Changed their Lives
1 Thessalonians 1:9 – “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God…”

44. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had Changed their Lives
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

45. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Energetic – Not “Pew Warmers”

46. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Energetic – Not “Pew Warmers”
Acts 2:42 – “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

47. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Energetic – Not “Pew Warmers”
Acts 2:46 – “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple…”

48. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Energetic – Not “Pew Warmers”
Acts 5:42 – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”

49. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They were Energetic – Not “Pew Warmers”
Acts 19:9-10 – “…reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus…”

50. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had No Where Else to Go

51. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
They had No Where Else to Go
John 6:66-69 – “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

52. The Spirit, Faith, and Character of First Century Christians
Always put God First
Focused Only on Christ
Sincere
Opposed Error
Changed Lives
“Can DO” Attitude
Sacrificed Themselves
Not Pew-Warmers