The NT Church

Yesterday morning at Faith Bible Chapel, we took a quick look at the process God used to birth the NT church. But we started off with this quote from A.W. Tozer,

"One characteristic that marks the average church today is lack of anticipation. Christians when they meet do not expect anything unusual to happen; consequently only the usual happens, and that usual is as predictable as the setting of the sun... We need today a fresh spirit of anticipation that springs out of the promises of God. We must declare war on the mood of nonexpectation, and come together with childlike faith. Only then can we know again the beauty and wonder of the Lord's presence among us."

The church was established through the coming of the Holy Spirit to a group of believers who were waiting with great expectation in Jerusalem. They were there praying and waiting, not knowing what was about to happen. Then the room filled with a mighty rushing wind and there appeared what looked like tongues of fire above each believer's head. Each person in the room was filled with Holy Spirit and the NT church was born. After the first sermon, 3,000 people were added to the church. Did you get that, 3,000, as a result of obedience to the Great Commission, the church grew to 3,120 after one sermon. And what was the result?

Acts 2:41-47 41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

If only today those who are of the bride of Christ were continually, steadfastly devoted to the teachings of the Apostles, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer!

The question we were asked to consider at the end of our message yesterday was, "How does Faith Bible Chapel resemble the Acts 2 church?" And I ask anyone who is reading this, how does your church resemble them, and what does Christ want us to be today as the church, His bride that He shed His blood to redeem?

Chosen as a Doulos,

Tim