Antatomy of the Frist Chruch Part 2
Notes
Transcript
Last time we talked about the spiritual duties of the first church.
The first chruch knew the importance of pursuing spiritual duties.
When we do those spiritual duties will find that those duties produce spiritual character.
That is what we are going to look at this morning are the aspects of the firsts churches character because which they had because of the spiritual duties they carried out.
It was an Awe Inspiring Church (v 43a)
It was an Awe Inspiring Church (v 43a)
We see here that Luke chose to use the word awe here.
In the greek awe refers to fear or holy terror related to the sense of divine presence, to the attitude of reverence.
It describes the feeling produced when one realizes God is at hand.
These people were starting to realize they were not only worshiping with each other but also with Holy God Himself.
This had not happened since the garden of Eden.
They were feeling the very presence of God that only Adam and Eve had felt.
We should have the same Awe today because we are worshipping the with the same God.
This is why the service should not just be a mechanical repetitive thing that we we do once a week.
We are here to have a sense of Awe and to worship with the one true God.
It Was a Miraculous Church (v 43b)
It Was a Miraculous Church (v 43b)
The members and the Apostles were doing many signs and wonders.
As we talked about in Acts 2:22 these were designed to attract attention and point to Spiritual truth. Acts 2:22
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—
The ability to perform miracles was not given to all, but was limited to the apostles and their close associates.
The miracles were a way to prove who the Apostles were and who they served.
They ended when the apostolic age ended at the completion of the cannon of Scripture.
Today we can determine who speaks for God by comparing their teaching with Gods revelation in Scripture.
Although the sign gift of miracles is no longer extant, God still performs miracles in response to the prayers of His people.
It was a Sharing Church (vv 44-46a)
It was a Sharing Church (vv 44-46a)
Such sharing and mutual meeting of the needs of pilgrims was a long-standing tradition in Israel during the great religious feasts.
The inns could not accommodate the vast influx of people to Jerusalem during those feast times.
As a result, the common people opened their homes and shared their resources with the visitors.
Many members of the early church were such pilgrims, saved while visiting Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost.
They now stayed to be a part of the new work of God.
It was only basic Christian love for those who lived in the city to share with them.
Additionally, some in the fellowship had no doubt lost their livelihoods due to their profession of faith in Christ.
The rest of the fellowship met their needs.
And others were just the poor believers who always needed help.
It Was a Joyful Church (vv 46b-47a)
It Was a Joyful Church (vv 46b-47a)
Praising God also produced joy.
To praise God is to recite His wonderful works and attributes.
The goal of the first fellowship was to exalt the Lord, and that produced true happiness.
Those who glorify themselves and seek the preeminence will never know lasting joy.
Joy comes to those who give God glory.