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 not 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.
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
