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Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47.  42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. Acts 2:42-47.

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Acts 2:42-47

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  1. Acts 2:42-47  42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

  2. Acts 2:42-47 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

  3. Acts 2:42-47 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

  4. Acts 2:42-47 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

  5. Apostasy Causes and Results Acts 2:42-47

  6. Periods of Church History • The Apostolic Church A.D. 33-100 • The Persecuted Church A.D. 100-313 • The Imperial Church A.D. 313-476 • The Medieval Church A.D. 476-1435 • The Reformation Period A.D. 1453-1648 • The Restoration Period ???? (as early as 156 A.D. Montanus questioned hierarchy,wanted to return to early church)

  7. Apostasy is derived from Greek apostasis, "a standing away from, a defection, a revolt" from aphistanai, “to stand off or away from, to revolt."

  8. Apostasy Foretold • Paul warned the Ephesian Elders false teachers would invade the church.Acts 20:28-31 • It was prophesied: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” I Timothy 4:1-3

  9. It Happened as Prophesied • Seven churches of Asia - Revelation 2 & 3 • “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. Rev. 2:2-3 • They lost their focus - Rev. 2:4

  10. Number One Cause of Apostasy • First - every departure can be traced to the elevation of one man over many; apostasy starts with one man who is hungry for power and authority who asserts his power over others. • Then there are those who are willing to follow such a man rather than Jesus.

  11. Followers of Men • What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I Cor. 1:12-13 • III John 9-11 - Diotrephes

  12. Followers of Men • Nicolaus - Acts 6:5; Revelation 2:6, 15-16 • Simon the magician, sorcerer, MagusActs 8:9-24

  13. Constantine • First Christian Emperor • Christianity became state religion • Edict of Milan/Tolerance 313 A.D. • Saint Peter’s Basilica 333-336 A.D.

  14. Outgrowth of All of This • Two gods and a demigod – Gnosticism • Constantine usurped the authority of Christ when he made himself The Supreme Pontiff. • Christianity was made easy. • Church buildings brought a new face to Christianity.

  15. Church Buildings • Institution killed an organism – gave birth to an organization • Shift of emphasis from the many to the few • Elevated one man as the spokesman for all • Elevated preaching over the Lord’s supper • Christianity became a thing you do at a designated place rather than who you are

  16. Shift of Focus • First - there was a shift in emphasis from the importance and work of every individual to the importance and nature of the work of one individual. • Second - there was a shift in emphasis from the church being viewed as a living organism, composed of members, to viewing the church as being an organization which a member might join.

  17. Shift of Focus • Third - the building in which the church met was an optional expedient, thought to enable us to function more adequately in doing God's will. It became looked upon as an absolute essential and received the lion’s share of emphasis, time- and money-wise.

  18. Shift of Focus • Fourth - the emphasis changed from the practice of individuals teaching publicly and from house to house to the practice of members merely inviting persons to the church building for the preacher to teach them.

  19. Is any one flying the plane?

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