INTRODUCTION

If a church as a body and its members individually are to worship God acceptably, in spirit and in truth [John 4:24], a serious study of New Testament churches must not be neglected. The closer we can get to New Testament principles and practices, the more pleasant our worship will be to God.

Perhaps we need to be reminded that we were created to please God [Revelation 4:11], not to please ourselves [Romans 15:1]. The important question is not what kind of church we might choose, but what kind of church our Lord chose to establish. This is still the church whose worship is most pleasing to Him.

Scripture included in this lesson may be outlined as follows:

1. Addition, Acts 2:41-42.
a. Mutual reception, 41.
b. Mutual retention, 42.

2. Activity, Acts 2:43-45.
a. Signs as needed, 43.
b. Sacrifice as needed, 44-45.

3. Accord, Acts 2:46-47.
a. Joy in the church, 46.
b. Joining the church, 47.

4. Affection, I Peter 4:7-9.
a. Responsible love, 7.
b. Reciprocal love, 8-9.

5. Assignment, I Peter 4:10-11.
a. Stewards of grace, 10.
b. Stewards of glory, 11. 

NOTES ON THE TEXT:

ADDITION, Acts 2:41-42.

One of the big lies of modern Christendom is the statement that the church was "born" on the day of Pentecost. The fact is, of course, that Jesus organized His church during His own personal ministry, the twelve apostles being the first members [I Corinthians 12:28]. It was this church (this kind of church) that He commissioned to carry on His work [Matthew 28:18-20], and the first church at Jerusalem had a membership roll of about 120 names before Pentecost [Acts 1:15]. The 3,000 saved at Pentecost did not start the church; they "were added" to the church already there.

Mutual Reception, 41.

Baptism is not for unbelievers. "They that gladly received" the Word of God, and none others, were baptized; and after they received this prerequisite for church membership, the church received them as members. This is the way they "were added."

What kind of membership is it that does not accept the established doctrine and has not submitted to the iniatory ordinance of the church? "Open membership" is only a joke. Those "churches" which fail to follow the order of our Lord's commission are not New Testament churches.

Mutual Retention, 42.

Genuine converts to Christ will stick to their profession. "The apostles' doctrine and and fellowship" are worthy of retention. "Breaking of bread" here may possibly refer to the Lord's Supper, but more likely to fellowship meals or "love feasts." These converts also continued in prayers. Having received the Word of God in faith, and having followed their Lord in baptism they earnestly desired continuance of divine blessings and guidance.

ACTIVITY, Acts 2:43-35.

There may be "activity" of a sort, or more properly movement, without life; but there cannot be life without activity. A live church will be an active church, not with the hustle and bustle of this world, but with the operation of the Spirit of God in the hearts and lives of its members.

Signs As Needed, 43.

Keep in mind that the ministry of the church was still limited to the Jews, and "the Jews require a sign" [I Corinthians 1:22]. In exceptional times and circumstances God has been pleased to give "many wonders and signs" to draw attention to the message of His Word, and so He did through the ministry of the apostles. We have no right to demand or expect that God will work miracles to suit our fancies. "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign" [Matthew 12:39].

Sacrifice As Needed, 44-45.

Again, we are not to suppose that every church should be an economic commune. Conditions at Jerusalem were exceptional, and there is no indication that the members of any other church in the New Testament sacrificed private property to the extent that they did at Jerusalem. Even there the sacrifice was Completely voluntary [Acts 5:4], and distribution was "as every man had need" -- not greed.

ACCORD, Acts 2:46-47.

Failure to agree means that someone is wrong. If you and I disagree, maybe both of us are wrong, but at least one of us must be wrong so long as we cannot agree. Now, the best, simplest, and only way for church members to be in accord with one another is to come to accord or agreement with our Head. When we are in accord with Him, we are necessarily in accord with each other.

Joy in the Church, 46.

Daily worship of God in the temple helped the members of this church to enjoy fellowship meals in their homes, so that they could eat their food "with gladness and singleness of heart."

Joining the Church, 47.

Sometimes, at least, when we praise God as we ought. He gives us favor with the people. And when people believe our testimony and get saved, the Lord will add them to the church. "Such as should be saved" here means 'those who were being saved."

AFFECTION, I Peter 4:7-9.

Jesus admonished his first church, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" [John 13:35]. Paul commanded the church at Rome, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" [Romans 12:10]. And so here Peter exhorts us to "charity" or love.

Responsible Love, 7.

"If ye love me," said Jesus, "keep my commandments" [John 14:15]. Peter reminds us that "the end of all things is at hand;" whether through death or through rapture, the Lord Who loves us and Who has taught us to love Him will soon take us to Himself: "be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

Reciprocal Love, 8-9.

Let us therefore love one another, covering one another's sins with a mantle of charity as Christ has covered our sins with His own blood. Hospitality will not be grudging where there is love.

ASSIGNMENT, I Peter 4:10-l1.

Divine gifts are divine assignments. We do not deserve the least of God's favors, and so we have an obligation to devote ourselves and our gifts to His service. The gift neglected tends to fade away: we must use it or lose it.

Stewards of Grace, 10.

We are stewards, therefore, and not absolute owners of ourselves or of our possessions. "Freely ye have received, freely give" [Matthew 10:8]. God's grace is manifold indeed, and we are stewards of it all: let us be faithful stewards.

Stewards of Glory, 11.

No matter whether it is speaking the truth of God or some other ministry or service, we can do no more that God gives us ability to do: but that much we ought to do; not only from a sense of duty, but above all else "that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

CONCLUSION [Colossians 3:16]

We are not wise when we neglect the Word of our Lord. We need to fill our minds and hearts with His Word and meditate upon it, let it dwell in us "richly," so that our lives are directed in its light. Only a poor imitation of a Christian would expect to get to heaven without giving heed to the Word of Christ here on earth.

Notice that the kind of singing that Christians ought to do is singing that teaches and admonishes us as we sing "to the Lord." Psalms are songs of praise accompanied by instrumental music. Spiritual songs are not the so-called "spirituals" of folk music, but songs whose teaching is in accord with the teaching of the Holy Spirit through His written Word. So-called "music" which appeals to and stirs up the depraved nature of the flesh, like "jazz," "swing," "rock and roll," etc., has no place in the worship of God.
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[From Ashland Avenue Baptist paper, January 31, 1975, pp. 2-3. - Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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