THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH!

Acts 2:41-47

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 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,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

           If there was ever a church growth plan that worked well, it was the one the early Christians used. Talk about numbers! Talk about effectiveness! This church exploded! Why? Because they knew why they were here on earth and what they were supposed to do. A careful reading of Acts 2:41-47 shows the early church grew because they focused on five priorities:

           The priority of worship was central to the New Testament church. The crucifixion of Jesus was not an historical event – it was a recent fact. These people understood the cost of their salvation and they felt the love of the One who had sacrificed himself for them. Their sin was a recent memory and they understood them to be grievous and horrible. Their liberty and release from bondage was still electrifyingly fresh. Religion for them was not some moldy ceremony. Worship bubbled up from a grateful heart.

           The priority of prayer was essential to the New Testament church. Jesus was real to them and their needs were great. Why would they not take advantage of an opportunity to talk with God? A better question is why do we feel we no longer need to talk to God. Are we so well blessed already that we have need of nothing? Is God so distant that we have reduced him in size? The early church prayed!

           Evangelism was a priority in the New Testament church. Telling the good news to their friends and neighbors was not laborious for them. Evangelism was not a program done on a specific night of the week. It was not some formula recited from a cue card. Nothing had to be memorized – it was fresh. The true condition of their unsaved friends made the situation urgent. They did not approach the lost like a salesman sizing up a potential customer but like a firefighter rushing into a burning building.

           Learning was a priority in the New Testament church. There were no ivy covered seminaries cloistered deep in moss covered commons. Truth was precious and they gathered eagerly and often to learn more and more. Ignorance had enslaved them and truth had set them free. Why would they choose ignorance again?

           Loving was a priority in the New Testament church. First, they loved God supremely. Next, they loved each other warmly, truly, and generously. Finally they loved others equally and urgently. Every race, color and nationality was welcomed in the New Testament church. They did not target a specific age group or demographic. If your heart was beating and your lungs were breathing you were a target for the love of this early church. People were swallowed up in the loving embrace of this church.

Come, Ye Sinners, Poor And Needy

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and pow'r.

Dear God, we have grown weary of well doing. We have dishonored you by becoming too familiar with you. We have lost the wonder and freshness of our own conversion. Oh, God, refresh the essential nature of our relationship with you and help us to win our world in these last days. AMEN