In Acts 9, we have the first record of the conversion of Saul. Saul of Tarsus ultimately became Paul, the apostle, the most influential Christian of all time. While the conversion of Paul was not complete until he was baptized into Christ in the city of Damascus (Acts 9:17-19), the process began when he met […]
Today, the majority of so-called religious leaders, those who have the most influence over churches associated with the 16th-century Protestant Movement, teach that man is saved by faith alone. This leads most denominational churches to reject the necessity of baptism. Any suggestion that one has to be baptized to be saved becomes a major controversy. […]
Someone once said that the church would be perfect if it wasn’t for people. The problem is the church is made up of people. So, without people, you would not have a perfect church, you would have no church at all. The statement does imply this truth—every problem that arises in the church is a […]
Before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He told the apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait to be clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). The power that Jesus was referring to was the baptismal measure of the Holy Spirit. Receiving this power, gave the apostles the ability to be witnesses for […]
One of the elements of the three-fold work of the church is benevolence. There is no question that the New Testament church was benevolent. When brethren were in need, the church stepped up. Acts 2:44–45 (ESV) 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their […]
Paul once warned us about the danger of keeping bad company. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” If bad company ruins good morals (and we know that it does), what will good company do? The answer is obvious—it will improve our morals. What is the best company […]
In Acts 2:42, Luke tells us that the early Christians were devoted to four things. Acts 2:42 (ESV) 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Let us take a few minutes to consider fellowship tonight. What is fellowship? We often hear people […]
The apostles’ doctrine was not the only thing in which the early Christians continued. According to Acts 2:42, they also continued in fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. In this blog, I want us to consider the habit of praying that the first-century church developed. Prayer has always been important to the people of God. The […]
The early church understood the importance of the apostles’ doctrine. Acts 2:42 (NKJV) 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Today, most churches seem to devalue the significance of the apostles’ doctrine. First-century Christians did not make that mistake, at least not in […]
In Acts 2, we see the long-awaited arrival of the Lord’s church. Isaiah prophesized about it hundreds of years before (Isaiah 2:2-4). Jesus had promised to build it during His ministry on earth (Matthew 16:18). Now it is here. As we go forward in this study, we will see the church in both of its […]