Choosing a Good Church: What Did the Early Church Look Like?

1. http://www.timelesstexts.com/

2. Choosing a good Church Can you tell the difference 20,800 denominations as of 1980

3. What did the early church look like? Acts 2:42-47 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

4. What did the early church look like? We can’t do everything like the new testament churches. Obviously there are cultural and differences due to the era in which they lived. I’m sure that the new testament church didn’t have a bus ministry. And I wouldn’t be very happy about having to walk to church There were differences among the churches of that day and there are room for differences of the churches today.

5. Acts 2:42 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. • Apostles teaching • God centered focus • Loving concern for the needs of people

6. A devotion to the Apostle’s teaching Acts 17:2 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, New Testament Inspiration Election, predestination, justification, redemption, grace, perseverance, righteousness, salvation, judgment, forgiveness, the virgin birth, the sinless life of Christ, substitutionary atonement, glorious recognition, and his ascension. Old Testament Truths God’s character the sovereignty of God the justice of God the love of God the power of God the grace of God the omniscience of God marriage, finance, employer-employee, parent child, missions

7. 2 Peter 1:3 3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

8. The manner of the apostles teaching How did they teach? Acts 2: 14-36 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 22“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2: 14-36

9. The manner of the apostles teaching • How did they teach? • It was relevant - In 14-15 Paul began by trying to relate to events occurring in and around his audience. He answered question that they were asking. • It was biblical and expository. In verses 16-21; 25-28; 34-35 Peter quoted scripture and then he explained it and then he made applications to those that were listening. • It was Christ centered. The person and work of Jesus Christ. • It was specific and personal in application “you”. • It was authoritative. It wasn’t his opinion it was the non negotiable facts of the gospel • It was purposeful in intent. – In 1 John john wrote to a churches struggling with false teachers, Paul wrote instructions specifically to Timothy.

10. A God Centered Focus Acts 2:43 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. The conviction that people had when Paul preached was not temporary but had lasting impact. Now granted they were seeing a lot of things for the first time and they got to see the unfolding of God’s church, but we should have that same sense of awe today.

11. A God Centered Focus Psalm 2:11 11Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. It should be evident that the purpose of the church is not primarily for the benefit of man, but for the glory of God. Rev 4:11 11“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

12. A God Centered Focus The goal is not to solve people’s problems or to meet peoples needs but to bring glory to God. Now certainly these things if done in a biblical way do bring glory to God, but they can also be done with no attention to God and that would not be a sign of a good church. Isaiah 43:7 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Col 1:16 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

13. What does a man centered church look like ? Extra Biblical traditions (Mark 7:6-13) Avoids certain doctrines for fear of offending someone. (Acts 20:27) Chooses styles of worship based on peoples preferences instead of conforming to scripture (Rom 1:16) Do not practice church discipline with focus on reconciliation (Matt 18:15-17) Little emphasis on prayer (Eph 6:18)

14. Loving Concern for the needs of Others The needs of people must never become more important than God himself or His truth. 1 Cor 13:2 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

15. Loving Concern for the needs of Others Acts 2:42-47 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

16. A concern for those outside of the church Acts 2:47 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. We can’t please the world, but a true concern for a lost world will cause us to reach out to the unbeliever and introduce him to the Gospel so that he will quilted into God’s kingdom.