We the Church
- Jeff Cloeter
- Apr 9, 2008
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Acts 2:40-47
1. The church trained and educated its members systematically in the Word of God (devoted to the Apostle's teaching).
2. The church brought its members together constantly (day by day - v. 46).
3. The church moved members into relationships of mutual support and fellowship (devoted to fellowship, v. 42; all believers were together, v. 44).
4. The church had both small group meetings (they broke bread in their homes, v. 46) and large group meetings (attending the temple together, v. 46).
5. The church practiced the sacrament of the Lord's Table constantly (vv. 42, 46).
6. The church spent much time in group prayer (devoted themselves to prayer, v. 42) which occurred in both homes and large public gatherings.
7. The church practiced radical stewardship, economic sharing and "mercy ministry" within their community. People received practical, financial and material help for their needs (selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need, v. 45).
8. The church experienced God's evident power within their body (And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles, v. 43).
9. The church practiced joy and praise that permeated each gathering-large or small (vv. 46, 47).
10. The church was attractive to outsiders (having favor with all the people, v. 47).
11. The church was evangelistically effective (And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved, v. 47).
12. The church was the connecting point for the believers. They were added to the church, not just to the Lord (v. 47).