There are 15 dynamics (active characteristics) that I see at work in the Early Church in the Book of Acts... each one starting with the letter "C".
"In the beginning" the disciples tarried (waited) in the upper room in Jerusalem (as Jesus commanded them to) until they were baptized in and filled with the Holy Ghost and fire.
The Church was birthed in prayer...with 120 believers, in one accord, in an upper room in Jerusalem for at least 10 solid days... praying!
The central text I want to use is... Acts 2:42-47...
"And... they (the Apostles and believers) continued steadfastly 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;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
[Praising God], and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
▪︎ Note the 5 support structures (Adele shared last time) in this reading... the Word, Worship, Witnessing, Prayer, Fellowship.
Before we look at... the 15 dynamics... note the two following phrases...
"they continued steadfastly..." and "they continued daily..."
What the early church did was ongoing, consistent, persistent, regular... 24/7 Why was this?
The Lord's commission... "you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth"... that is... preaching the Gospel to save souls was still very fresh in their minds.
■ (1) Holy Ghost CONTROL.
The believers were under the complete control, leadership and guidance of Holy Ghost.
They were in sync with Him.
He enabled them, He equipped them and He empowered them for the work that lay ahead.
The Holy Spirit was very, very evident in the early church.
He is mentioned some 69 x's in the Book of Acts. (2.5 x's per chapter)
How important is the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life?
The believers were • born again of the Spirit... ☆ John 3:3-8.
• filled with the Spirit... ☆ Ephesians 5:18.
• led by the Spirit... ☆ Romans 8:14.
• walking in the Spirit... ☆ Galatians 5:16.
• keeping in step with the Spirit...☆ Galatians 5:25.
• worshipping in Spirit and truth... ☆ John 4:24.
• operating in the gifts of the Spirit... ☆ 1 Corinthians 12:4.
• in possession of the fruit of the Spirit... ☆ Galatians 5:22.
• loving one another in the Spirit...☆ Colossians 1:8.
• praying in the Spirit... ☆ Ephesians 6:18.
The early church was a Holy Ghost inspired, driven and directed church!!
☆ Psalm 127:1... "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it..."
The believers of the early Church felt comfortable with the Holy Ghost... and flowed with Him.
And... the believers walked in the fear of the Lord.
*I think there are two big keys here.
☆ Acts 9:31...
"... and walking in the fear of the Lord, and [in the comfort of the Holy Ghost], were multiplied."
■ (2) COMMUNICATED the GOSPEL.
The believers had Christ's commission fresh in their hearts and communicated the simple Gospel, preaching and teaching Christ crucified and Him resurrected. ☆ 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4...
They preached repentance from sin, redemption by the blood, salvation by grace, justification by faith and sanctification by the Spirit.
It was Holy Ghost preaching, "not with enticing words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and power." ☆ 1 Corinthians 2:4...
■ (3) Kept COMPANY with Jesus.
Outsiders clearly saw that the believers had been in company with Jesus. ☆ Acts 4:13...
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
Personal quality devotion time with the Lord was "outwardly visible" in the lives of the believers. Spending time with Jesus... we become more like Him.
What do non - believers see in us today?
Back in the OT, when Moses came back down from Mt Sinai, after spending time with God... what did the people notice? ☆ Exodus 34:29...
"And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses didn't know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him."
■ (4) CHRIST CENTRED teaching.
The church continued steadfastly (consistently and regularly) in the Apostles' doctrine... Christ centred teaching, and was evidenced in their preaching.
Jesus, the Cross and the Resurrection was the focal point of their message to the unbelievers.
☆ Acts 2:42...
The believers were fully immersed in the Word of God. ☆ 2 Timothy 3:16...
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Their eyes were fixed on Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Author and Finisher of our faith.