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Sunday, April 22, 2018 am                                            NT Church Index

 

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH 2007-18
Examining Some Churches (1)
The Church at Jerusalem

      We have been engaged in a detailed study of the New Testament church.  We have examined numerous principles including examining what the church is, establishing authority for what we do, noting what our work is, how we are to be organized, how we worship God, and our responsibilities to the church.   As we conclude this extended series, and by way of review, we want to examine some churches we read of in the New Testament.  In these lessons we will see God’s pattern at work and notice the qualities of various congregations.  We will not examine every congregation, but we will notice the churches at Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth and a brief study of the 7 churches of Asia.

     In NT times, while congregations were not perfect, they were united.  We find so much division today, even among those professing Christ Jesus.  How do we find true unity?  We need to return to the old paths and look to the example of churches in the first century.  If all congregations would do this, we would find the true unity we seek.  Be reminded that in scripture, we do not find contradictory teachings.  In fact, Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:17 said he taught the same thing in every church.  Also, in all 7 churches of Asia, we read the expression, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (cf. Revelation 27, etc.).  That is why we want to notice some of the qualities of various congregations.  Today we want to examine the church at Jerusalem.

 I.                     About the church at Jerusalem

a.       The first congregation and the beginning.  Its beginning is recorded in Acts 2 on Pentecost.  But it was spoken about both in prophecy and by Jesus (Isaiah 2:2-4, Joel 2:28-32). 

b.       It was unique in that we have the only one church, and all members on earth, were part of that local church.

c.        It began with 3000 and continued to grow.  In time, they were scattered, but in NT we always read of a core remaining in Jerusalem.

d.       In time, for numerous reasons, some unmentioned, their resources became depleted and they needed help from others.  Even in this, we find their autonomy in receiving aid from brethren elsewhere. 

 II.                   Qualities of the NT church

a.       There was fellowship – addressed this past week in our gospel meeting.  We read in Acts 2:42, they continued in fellowship with one another.  The word “fellowship” means join participation and indicates a close relationship with each other.   As we have noted, Biblical fellowship is not about fun and recreation, but a spiritual bond that brings them together to worship and work, and to stand and share with one another.  We see that demonstrated in a number of traits found in this church (and others).

b.       They worshipped together – Acts 2:42 – describes acts of worship that we have addressed in greater detail. 
- Here is mentioned heeding “the apostles doctrine” or teachings.  God’s word (the gospel – Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2) was foremost in their minds.  They heard it regularly (continued steadfastly), taught it to others and applied it in their lives. 
- Breaking of bread – in this context seems to be a reference to the Lord’s Supper (In vs. 46 we will find their enjoying meals together).  Jesus had instituted the Lord’s Supper as recorded in Matthew 26:26-29.  It is worthy of note that in describing the cup as representative of His blood, He noted, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.  The church at Jerusalem is (if you will) the first fruits of the kingdom.  They are now “breaking bread” together.  Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:16 notes, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  When we partake of the Lord’s Supper we are in communion with Him.
- Prayers – the manner God has provided for us to communicate with Him.  Always an important part of our worship.
- Even fellowship is an aspect of our worship.  We find that in worship, we TOGETHER glorify God and edify one another (1 Corinthians 14:1ff).  This could also be related to giving which we do together as well.

c.        They cared and shared (vs. 44).  Found throughout the dealings of the church in Jerusalem.  We find in Acts 2:44-45 that they helped each other not only spiritually, but also materially. We find in Acts 4:32-37 this generosity described, as some who had lands sold them and distributed shared as they had needs.  Acts 6 finds the apostles appointing 7 worthy men to ensure all were helped equitably.
Their generosity was such that in time their resources were exhausted and they needed help.  Brethren, both Jews and Gentiles, from other places helped them on more than one occasion.
Hebrews 13:16 tells us do good and to share, “For with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” 
We can learn from the brethren at Jerusalem how our spiritual bond ought to bring us together physically as well.  We are God’s family and need to be such.

d.       There was dedication to the cause of Christ (vs. 46) – they “continued daily”.  Their service to God was not superficial and occasional.  It was a daily thing which demonstrates it was important to them and a part of who they were.   Even in persecutions, Acts 5:41-42 notes that they rejoiced being counted worthy to suffer and they “did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
We see their zeal as they continue to grow and learn, and in their caring for one another.  Zeal is a quality God wants us to manifest both individually and together – Romans 12:11 speaks of how we are to be fervent in spirit, and not lacking in diligence.   Titus 2:14 we are His own special people, zealous for good works.  Do we show this fervor for the Lord’s church here?

e.       There was unity (vs. 46) – they continued daily “with one accord” which described unity.  We see this in the way they help each other and the way they continued to stand with each other as difficulties came their way.   Acts 4:24 speaks of praying “with one accord” after the release of Peter and John. Acts 4:32 says the multitude who believed “were of one heart and one soul.”
Again in Acts 5:12 we read that they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
A key element of a local congregation that we have emphasized is our need to be united.  Ephesians 4:1-3 calls for us to manifest godly attitudes as we endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

f.         There was joy and gladness – (vs. 46).  There was a realization among these brethren of what they possessed, and it caused rejoicing in their midst. 
One thing we learn in the NT is that God wants us to be joyful.  Again Romans 12:15 tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice.  Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say rejoice.
Paul also wrote in Romans 14:17, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
If our heart is right, serving God will not be a drudgery.  And neither will being together with our brethren. 

g.       They had favor with the people - vs. 47.  An interesting observation, as we know they faced great opposition from the Jewish leaders.  They were a church in the midst of a hostile environment and faced rejection and even persecutions.  But they also had “favor with all the people” meaning, the common people (and some of the not so common) respected them. 
Acts 4:21, having threatened Peter and John they let them go for among other reasons, they could not punish them “because of the people.” 
Acts 4:33, “great grace was upon them all.” 
Acts 5:13 notes that the people esteemed them highly. 
Acts 5:26, arresting the apostles again, they are careful lest the people stone them. 
The brethren in Jerusalem were not hateful, even to the corrupt leaders.  They simply stood for truth and acted with integrity.  The crowds saw that!
The point to consider here is that as part of the Lord’s church, we ought to seek to make her as attractive as possible to the outside world.  While critics may despise us, and we may have to take unpopular stands against some things in society, we still ought to be as pleasant as possible.  We are not provoking others – Romans 12:17-18 – live peaceably with all men. 
Consider Hebrews 12:14, we pursue peace without all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

h.       They grew- when we love the Lord and one another as we ought to, it will lead to growth.  Clearly this begins with demeanor being what it ought to be, both corporately and individually.   What we do read is – Acts 2:41 – on Pentecost, there were some 3000 souls; Acts 4:4 – the number of men came to be about 5000; Acts 5:14 – believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women; Acts 6:1 – the number of disciples was multiplying; Acts 6:7 – the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.   Truly we can see great growth.  To the point that enemies took drastic measures to stop them – including the stoning of Stephen and persecution of Christians. 
And even that didn’t stop them from evangelizing.   Peter and John were sent to Samaria (Acts 8:14), Barnabas was sent to Antioch (Acts 11:22).  They did what they could as long as they could.
Our goal ought to be to grow.  We need an attitude like Jerusalem where they were boldly proclaiming God’s word.  We need to be like Thessalonica – 1 Thessalonians 1:8 where from the them the word of the Lord had sounded forth.    How well are we supporting the preaching of the gospel -BOTH locally and abroad?

i.         They stood faithful - It was also the seat of persecution by the Jews. They faced great persecutions and it did not cause them to quit.  Leaders were arrested and persecuted.  Stephen was stoned to death.  Later James the apostle was executed and Peter was arrested with the intent of executing him, but God facilitated his escape.  Even with all this, in a VERY hostile environment, they stood faithful. 
This is also demonstrated in Acts 15 where they had Judaizing teachers in their midst.  They came together and addressed the doctrine and reaching the Lord’s conclusion accepting even Gentiles into the faith.  (More on this in our next lesson).
What will it take to stop us from standing faithful?  My we have the resolve to stand for truth, even if we are rejected by those around us, including brethren teaching and practicing error.  Ephesians 5:11.

 

And thus we can see the church at Jerusalem.  It was a church that stood firm and had many qualities that we need to possess.  One final observation.  How did one become part of that church?  They obeyed the gospel and were added by the Lord to His church.  Per the example of Paul, brethren joined to them (Acts 9:26-27).  How one becomes part of the Lord’s church has not changed.  Let us resolve to be the church we read of in the Bible, like Jerusalem.   Think about it!