Acts 2:2-47, The Beginning of the New Testament Church

Acts 2:22-47, The Beginning of the New Testament Church.

The day of Pentecost--the beginning of the New Testament church.

It was a church that was growing. They were operating under the power of the Holy Spirit. They were committed to holiness.

We need to be concerned about what God thinks. The church should be different from the world. God will build his church. [Matthew 16:18: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it].

What made this New Testament church powerful?

1) Efforts in evangelism. [Acts 2:42: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers].

They believed His crucifixion. They saw the risen Saviour. [Acts 2:23: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain].

They pointed people to Jesus.

They preached about sin. [Acts 2:40: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation].

We are saved by grace through faith. When you believe, God changes your life. [Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast].

2) They were separated. They followed the Word of God. We are not to be unequally yoked. [2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty].

3) They had fantastic fellowship and loved one another. [Acts 2:46-47: And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved].

What they had they gave out of their hearts. It was marked with selflessness in action. The church is not a social club. We share Christian fellowship.

They were different from the world.