Dynamics of the Early Church - Part 4....
■ (10) COMPASSION and CONCERN for each other.
They were compassionate and concerned for others and their needs. They went as far to sell and share their possessions with those who had need. ☆ Acts 2:44-45...☆ Acts 4:35.. Wow!
They knew that what they had was not theirs but God's.
Materialism, greed and selfishness was not a problem in the early church.
■ (11) CONSISTENT FELLOWSHIP.
The believers were consistent (continued daily) in their fellowship together (both in the temple and in their homes). They met often.☆ Acts 2:46...
They knew that they were a part of the body of Christ.
They knew they were members of one another.
They didn't work independently doing their own thing.
They worked together.
They were there for each other.
They watched each other's back. ☆ 1 Corinthians 12... ☆ Hebrews 10:25...
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching."
What day is that? Any takers?
■ (12) CELEBRATION
I believe worshipping and praising God in Spirit and Truth, played a huge part in the lives of the believers in the early Church... what they did they did with gladness and singleness of heart.☆ Acts 2:47.. ☆ Acts 16:25...
The Apostle Paul teaches us in... ☆ Hebrews 13:15...
"By Him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name."
Worship is good. Worship is a must.
Worship always brings our focus back to the GOD we serve.
The key to true worship is worshipping in the Spirit.
Worship is one of the weapons of our spiritual warfare.
Worship reminds us Who the source of everything is... and prevents us (or should) from focus on self.
It is in Him that we live and breathe and have our being. ☆ Acts 17:28...
Worship reminds us Whose Kingdom we are a part of and that we are co-workers with Him in building it.
☆ Ephesians 5:19... "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
■ (13) CONSECRATION.
The believers had a fear of and a deep reverence for God. They walked the walk and talked the talk of holiness.
They knew they were holy unto the Lord... and they lived it! ☆ Acts 2:43...
Their lives were totally consecrated unto the Lord Jesus.
They were separated from the world.
They were in the world but not of the world.
It was the Cross and Christ crucified ever before them... and the world behind them.
☆ Acts 2:43..."And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles."
☆ Acts 9:31. "... and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."
God indeed is our friend... but He is not our buddy.
Stand, walk, talk and live in awe of Him.
Sadly, familiarity does breed contempt.
■ (14) Believers had Holy Ghost COURAGE.
The believers in the early Church spoke the Word of God with incredible boldness, the Holy Ghost being their unction of courage and strength.
☆ Acts 4:31. "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
☆ Acts 4:33 "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
☆ Acts 14:3. "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands."
■ (15) There was great CONVICTION and CONTRITION.
The Holy Ghost brought great conviction after the preaching of the Gospel.
I well remember altar calls in the past, where at the end of the Gospel message, people were squirming in their seats because of conviction by the Holy Ghost and couldn't run fast enough to the front for prayer.
This is part of the Holy Spirit's job description.
He convicts... He reproves... He pin points... He niggles...
He must be given time to do this?
☆ John 16:8. "And when He (Holy Ghost) is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement."
Look what happened after Peter's very first Holy Ghost sermon...
☆ Acts 2:37. "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
There was repentance and 3 000 souls were saved that day...