I. THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM
Subject:
Theme: Our mother church, a pattern.
Purpose: For us to learn by the successes and failures of the first church.
Text: Rom. 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The First Church.
1. When did it begin?
(a). Matt. 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
(b). Did not begin on Pentecost---
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Also see Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with an the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.2. The membership; the small number included all classes and types of people.
(a). Noble ladies; Joanna and Susanna along with Mary, a carpenter's widow---
(b). A distinguished lawyer: Joseph of Arimathaea---
Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.(c). A scholar, Nicodemus--- John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
(d). Fishermen: Simon Peter and his brother Andrew; James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
(e). A publican (tax collector) named Matthew---
Matt. 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;(f). A zealot:
Luke 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,NOTE: Basically a zealot was one who belonged to what we would call a militant militia group, rebel, or even terrorist.
(g). A land owner: Joseph of Cyprus.
(h). A church is for no one class exclusively; the rich and the poor, the educated and uneducated meet together.
B. The Government Of This Church.
1. The government was congregational and democratic.
(a). They met and elected Judas’ successor.
(b). Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
(c). Peter did not assume to nominate let alone appoint anyone.
2. Election of deacons.
(a). Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them (ordained them).
(b). The case was submitted to the entire church, men and women.
(c). All had one vote.
II. A UNITED CHURCH
A. United In Location.
1. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
(a). It was local, not universal.
(b). It was visible, not invisible.
2. John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
3. One was missing---
John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.(a). Not being in church affected Thomas' faith didn't it.
(b). Thomas was an Apostle, If missing one service affected him like that can you imagine how it must affect us.
B. United In Purpose.
1. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place..
2. Acts 15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
3. The church being in "one accord" is mentioned nine times in the book of Acts.
C. United In Prayer.
1. Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
2. They prayed continually.
(a).
(b).
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.(c).
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.D.
They Were United In Power.1. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2. They were all filled with the same Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
3. Look at the results of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
(a).
(b).
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.4. With one sermon being preached 3,000 were converted and two chapters later 5,000 men were saved under one sermon.
E. United In Practice.
1. The church at Jerusalem accepted and practiced two rites or ordinances.
(a). Baptism:
(b). The Lord's Supper:
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.2. A church must be united in what they practice.
F. A Unity Of Possessions.
1.
2. This was strictly voluntary, they were not commanded to do this---
Acts 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.3. No other church in the New Testament practiced this.
4. As a matter of fact, this church ended up in a financial bind later on--- Rom. 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
III. THE RESULTS OF UNITY.
A. The Church Was Persecuted by the Sadducees
1. And the church overcame that persecution.
2. Sad, but the Sadducees live on today in those who deny Christ's resurrection.
B. The Church Was Persecuted The Pharisees.
1. And the church overcame that persecution.
2. We have the spirit of the Pharisees persecuting the church today.
C. The Were Persecuted By The Jewish State Under Roman Government.
1. And the church overcame that persecution...
2. But somewhere along the way they stopped being united.
(a). That church does not exist today.
(b). All true churches are her off spring, but she, herself does not exists.