Bible Study - Unstoppable (3) - Unstoppable Love - Acts 2:41-47 - October 30, 2016

Bible Study – Unstoppable (3) – Unstoppable Love – October 30, 2016

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Unstoppable Gospel.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 2:41-47.

Loving people is a powerful expression of loving GOD.

Genuine Christian love is an outward expression of an inward change brought about by faith in JESUS and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Acts 2:41-42:

A Generous and Growing Church

41 So those who accepted his (Peter’s) message (The Gospel) were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.

We studied in our last week’s lesson the message that the Apostle Peter preached to these people. By the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, he preached the Gospel. He pointed out how the scriptures pointed to the attributes of the promised Messiah and how JESUS fulfilled those attributes. JESUS fulfilled them physically by GOD manifesting miracles, signs and wonders through HIM – healing, raising of the dead, casting out demons, feeding thousands with little, the blind to see, the lame to walk and the list goes on. 

The new converts were baptized as an outward expression of their inward change. Then they eagerly listened to those who had walked with JESUS and what HE had taught them about being HIS follower.

They were so intent in learning that they spend the most time possible with the apostles, learning and praying. They were so eager to learn that they did not want to leave them to eat. Some interpret “the breaking of bread” as partaking of the Lord’s Supper but others think it was a reference to a meal. Either way, the new converts were eager to learn.

The New converts to Christianity:

-         Were Baptized – They received believers’ baptism. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It has no saving power but it is in obedience to being a follower of JESUS. JESUS was baptized by John the Baptist as HE began HIS earthly ministry. The Greek word “baptizo” means to immerse. That is why Baptist immerse new converts in believer’s baptism. Again, baptism is a symbol but an important step in being an unashamed follower of JESUS.

-         Teaching – The new converts were eager to learn all that JESUS had taught HIS disciples.

-         Worship – The new converts came together in unity and harmony to learn and to be fed Spiritually.

-         Fellowship is the Greek word “koinonia” which in turn comes from a root word which means “common.” In general, it carries the idea of a close mutual relationship and embraces life together. Fellowship included sharing food and included observing the Lord’s Supper. The coming together was twofold (1) to observe the Lord’s Supper (2) to build relationships to learn about the teachings of JESUS and with each other through the common bond of being brothers and sisters in CHRIST through the miracle of rebirth. The Holy Spirit was being manifested among them.

-         Prayer, as Christians, has many facets. There are individual needs, fellow Christians with needs, non-Christian needs, group needs, directional needs, learning needs, emotional needs, physical needs, Spiritual needs, authoritarian needs, equipping needs and the list goes on. Prayer is essential in the lives of Christians. Prayer is talking to GOD but just as important is listening to GOD and putting into action what GOD reveals to you – obedience and trust.

Are we as Christian’s eager to learn? Learning is one thing but once we learn are we eager to share and put into action what we have learned with those who are Spiritually lost or hunger for Spiritual food? Do we, as Christians, know JESUS more because we have fellow-shipped with fellow believers? Have we learned truth from each other based upon the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives? We are to test Spiritual matters against the scriptures to evaluate their authenticity. We must seek truth by knowing GOD’S Word and testing truth revealed against the Bible. GOD will never ask you to do something contrary to HIS revealed truth.

Let’s read Acts 2:43-45:

43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.

The word “fear” is not to be afraid but to show “reverence” or to “show respect.” The new converts were amazed at what GOD was doing through the apostles. HIS power was being manifested in a mighty way. It is likely that these wonders and signs attracted the attention of non-believers, as well. Is this possible today or was this for this period alone?

I believe that the same manifestations of GOD are available through Christians today. So why do we not see the hand of GOD working today? Could it be our disbelief as Christians? Do we really believe that GOD can perform signs, wonders and miracles today? I do!

Our hearts and minds need to be brought into unity and harmony with GOD today through an intimate, loving relationship. Often, when we look around at the world conditions, we can be distracted and see the angry waves and focus on the storms of life rather than placing our faith in GOD who shelters us in the midst of storms. Yes, bad things happen in the world and always will until the coming of our LORD JESUS. Don’t let unbelief rob you of the manifestation of GOD through you.

44 Now all the believers were together and had everything in common.

45 So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.

This again is a reflection of the new convert’s eagerness to learn to be with each other in unity and harmony. Believers came together because they were receiving something of value. Togetherness is both good and bad. It is good to learn and equip but bad when Christians form a clique. Christianity is not to be exclusive but it is to be shared outside their circle. We must keep in mind that Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them, enlightening them and empowering them, as well as, gifting them with Spiritual Gifts to minister.

Let’s read Acts 2:46-47:

46 And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

Notice the new converts were meeting in the temple complex. They went to the place where people were searching for truth. These new converts knew the truth and were eager to share it with those seeking truth as revealed in the scriptures which is revealed in JESUS - HIS birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension and confirmed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Fellow Christians helped to support these new Christians by providing food for them as they ministered. They saw GOD’S hand at work as they worked in the field of Spiritual harvest through the support of fellow Christians.

These new converts worked while there was still light because a time was coming when following JESUS would be considered a threat to fellow non-believing Jews.

After a time, communal living had served its purpose. In fact, the non-believing Jews began to exclude the followers of JESUS from the marketplace making their physical survival difficult. After a period of time Christians were threatened to the point that they began to leave Jerusalem and relocate to other parts of the surrounding countries. This period is known as “Diaspora” or the scattering. Scattering was for the purpose of physical survival but also for spreading the Gospel to other people in other countries. 

GOD often works through physical needs to accomplish Spiritual matters.

Christianity is not to be kept hidden but it is to be shared. Christians are the light and salt to those in Spiritual darkness.

GOD often guides and develops through circumstances. In Acts 6:1-3:

1 In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews (Greek speaking Christians) against the Hebraic Jews (Hebrew speaking Christians) that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

The Greek speaking Christians believed that they were being discriminated against when food was being distributed by those who spoke Hebrew, thus an issue arose. Issues need to be faced and resolved before they become a major problem. Often, we tend to avoid issues hoping they will resolve themselves, which most often they do not.

2 Then the Twelve (The Apostles) summoned the whole company of the disciples (followers of JESUS) and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to wait on tables.

Those in authority responded to the issue. In churches that should be the pastor because the pastor is the responsible to GOD. If the pastor is not in the right relationship with GOD or is timid and avoids taking a stand then it often leads to trouble. Then the next level of authority under GOD must take action. If the next level of authority e.g. deacons, elders, etc. does not take the lead, it often leads to major problems within the body of believers. Satan loves that when it happens because it sends a negative message to the community. So the body of believers must have the gift of discernment to remain in the will and purpose of the LORD, which means that hard decisions must be made at times. The Holy Spirit reveals but those responsible under GOD must take the action as revealed by HIM and trust HIM with the results.

3 Therefore, brothers (Fellow Christians), select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.

The solution gave birth to the body of deacons, we know today.  There were issues in the early church but these issues helped shape the future church or body of believers. We know when Peter and John were arrested the body of believers had grown to about 5,000 men as we read in Acts 4:4:

4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

Is the meeting place where you are being fed Spiritually feeding you Spiritual food or political correctness and social acceptance? Christians must keep in mind that we are the light and the salt of the world. Will we share or will we remain silent? Blessings!!!