articlesforchristians

The New Testament Church

• Luke, in A.D. 63, wrote the book of Acts of the Apostles. This book records the birth, and inauguration of the New Testament church.
• The church became a dynamic organism.
• They proclaimed, with the anointing of the Holy Ghost, the purpose of God manifested
  through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
  • 2 Peter 1:16 (KJV) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty

FELLOWSHIP

• Apostles’ Teaching (Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42)
  • We need the Word of God to live by.
    • Matthew 28:20 (KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
      you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
    • Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
• Fellowship of the Church
  • A phrase that describes the life of the early church is steadfast.
    • Acts 2:42-44 (KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
      and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
  • We are to first fellowship with Jesus Christ
    • 1 John 1:3 (KJV) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ
• Breaking Bread from House to House
  • Witnesses told everyone about what God was doing in their day.
  • They went from house-to-house sharing the gospel.
    • Acts 20:20 (KJV) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
• Prayer
  • After the outpouring of the Holy Ghost the church kept praying.
  • Because of prayer, God gave the church favor with all the people and added to it daily.
    • Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

THE FIRST MIRACLE OF THE CHURCH

• The first miracle performed after the ascension of Jesus was the healing of the lame man.
  • Acts 3:6-8  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
• The miracle produced evidence that the power of Christ was upon His followers.
• As a result of the healing, people gathered Peter preached his second sermon, and many
  believed, more souls were added.
  • This second sermon is recorded in Acts 3:12-26
  • After the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost, 3,000 more souls were added
  • After this miracle many more were added, 5,000
    • Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

THE GIVING SPIRIT OF THE CHURCH

• There was a singleness of devotion and dedication of the early church.
• They were God-centered and had a concerned with one another’s needs.
  • Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
• The Lord’s Stewards
  • As stewards of the Lord’s blessings, those who prospered materially shared with others that had needs
    • Acts 4:34-35 (KJV) Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
• Barnabas Shows the Way
  • Barnabas was a Levite.
    •  Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
  • He gave money after selling some land.
    • Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
  • He uplifted and inspired many of the churches in his ministry and encouraged the apostolic circle to receive Paul as a fellow preacher.
    • Acts 9:26-28 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
    • Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
    • Acts 131-4  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.