Learning from Acts -- Part 1

Signs of Community and Being the Body from Acts 1&2

- They all joined together constantly in prayer.
   • "They all joined together constantly in prayer." --1:14

- They were filled with the Holy Spirit and declared the wonders of God in their own tongues.
   •"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues." -- 2:4,11
     - They spoke in other languages because they were filled by the very Spirit of God. They were changed.
          • There is no way we can be impacted by Christ and stay the same.
     - They saw the wonders of God, yet still disobeyed. We all took part in Jesus' death on the cross because of our sin.
          •"...and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." --2:23
               - But God raised Him and freed Him from death.
                   •"But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death..." -- 2:24
               - Not even DEATH can hold on to our Christ.
                   •"...because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him..." -- 2:24

- They repented and were baptized.
   •"Peter replied,'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" -- 2:38

- They devoted themselves to the teaching of Christ, had fellowship with their brothers and sisters, and
prayed.
   •"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." -- 2:42

- They sold their possessions to give to those in need.
   •"Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." -- 2:45

- They lived continually and daily in the community and Body of Christ, praised God together, and enjoyed, encouraged, and appreciated one another.
   •"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people..." -- 2:46-47

- They furthered the Kingdom of God.
   •"...And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." -- 2:47

I pray that we can begin to learn more fully, the true meaning of the Body of Christ. It is important for us to be the family we are called to be. We can, I can, learn so much from the Church in Acts. Join with me, as I try to take a lesson from my brothers and sisters and follow their example.