1. Acts 2:43-47 Church growth Part 2

2. (Acts 2:41) Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

3. 1.Committed to the Message We thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us…(1 Th 2:13)

4. 1.Committed to the Message (1 Th 2:13) …you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

5. 1.Committed to the Message (1 Cor 1:18) For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are…saved it is the power of God.

6. ( Eph 2:19-20) You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 2.Committed to the Body

7. (Acts 2:44-45) All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 3.Practical in their Love

8. (Heb 13:1-2) Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3.Practical in their Love

9. (Heb 13:1-2) Keep on loving each other Diversity Community Indispensability Indivisibility The Message Committed to The Body Practical Love WITH The Principles of: CHURCH GROWTH (Acts 2:43-47;).

10. The nature of the church is plainly set forth in the divine record. The nature of the church is plainly set forth in the divine record. We can EASILY learn the organization of the church, the worship of the church and the mission of the church. NO ONE ought to have a problem in finding out WHAT is morally RIGHT and morally WRONG according to the teaching of the Bible.

11. All commands are given in concise language so that "even he who runs may read and understand" and "the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein." If we maintain a simplicity and purity toward Christ (2 Cor. 11:3), we will have no overwhelming difficulty in understanding his laws. Our FELLOWSHIP and UNITY are based upon the commands revealed in the Apostles teaching.

12.  What prevents us from having this kind of experience today?  God?

13.  What prevents us from having this kind of experience today?  Apathy?  Cynicism?  Individualism?  Materialism?  Preoccupation?

14. What prevents us from having this kind of experience today? Nothing OUGHT to?

15. The question facing US is NOT do we WANT to be a community like this BUT are we WILLING to be a community like this?

16. Are we PREPARED to EQUIP ourselves to be READY TO GIVE AN ANSWER FOR THE HOPE THAT LIES WITHIN US 1 Pet 3:15; Are we PREPARED to DEVOTE the TIME to BUILD relationships the TIME to BUILD relationships

17. (Romans 12:2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- His good, pleasing and perfect will. 3. Culture of Survival: If we hang on long enough, we should be okay. 1. Culture of Submission: We’re told, therefore we have to do. Foundations of a Culture of Fellowship of Connection Creating a Culture A Renewal a Culture 2. Culture of Acquisition: We want to have, therefore we have to work. 4. Culture of Moral Relativism: We never know what’s right or wrong; we’re open to suggestions. 5. Culture of Entertainment: It’s all about what others see...really! A Transformed Culture transformed (Acts 2:41-42) Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day…

18. (Acts 2:41-42) … They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. The transformed culture is a culture of connection teaching fellowship breaking of bread prayer (Acts 2:41-42) that is first made possible by connecting with God

19. that is first made possible by connecting with God (Acts 2:41-42) (Hebrews 10:23-25) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… The transformed culture is a culture of connection teaching fellowship breaking of bread prayer (Hebrews 10:23-25) …Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

20. (Acts 2:43) Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. wonders and miraculous signs

21. to anyone in need wonders and miraculous signs (Acts 2:44-45) All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. everything in common to anyone need A Culture without Masks

22. (Acts 4:31-35 ) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly… everything in common to anyone in need wonders and miraculous signs

23. (Acts 4:31-35) … All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had… everything in common to anyone in need wonders and miraculous signs

24. (Acts 4:31-35) … With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them … everything in common to anyone in need wonders and miraculous signs

25. (Acts 4:31-35) … For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. everything in common to anyone in need wonders and miraculous signs

26. Why put on a mask when Jesus is the only audience that matters? everything in common to anyone in need wonders and miraculous signs

27. (1 Peter 1:22) Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. (Acts 2:46-47) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts...

28. (Acts 2:46-47)... They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people… A people intent on being a blessing

29. (Acts 2:46-47)... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Let’s create a culture of connection… A Culture of Blessing A people intent on being a blessing, He blesses. that is transformed and without masks a blessing (1 Peter 3:9) Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

30. A Period of Good Will These first days of the Kingdom-Church were like a honeymoon. But it would not last long. Soon the movers and shakers of the Jewish religion that did not accept Jesus as their Messiah began to violently oppose what they saw as a renegade sect of Judaism growing in numbers and power. But for now this great multitude from all over the civilized world were staying in Jerusalem and were united and happy. These first days of the Kingdom-Church were like a honeymoon. But it would not last long. Soon the movers and shakers of the Jewish religion that did not accept Jesus as their Messiah began to violently oppose what they saw as a renegade sect of Judaism growing in numbers and power. But for now this great multitude from all over the civilized world were staying in Jerusalem and were united and happy.

31. The Fellowship of Christians Acts 2:41-47 by Ellis Jones Fellowship is sharing Ourselves, our things, with others. Especially with Christians; But all men are our brothers. Acts 2:41-47 by Ellis Jones Fellowship is sharing Ourselves, our things, with others. Especially with Christians; But all men are our brothers.