“WHAT DID THEY DO?” By Pastor
YAU
Acts 2:41-47
INTRODUCTION:
When we
try to invite people to church, especially the non-believers, the question
oftentimes asked of us was: “What do you do at church?” I ask this same
question myself as a pastor who supposed to know what a church should do. What
are the things a church should do? What makes a church different from a
community center or a social club? To answer questions like these and others
regarding a church and her ministries, let us go to the Bible in search for
answers. (Please read the Scripture reference above)
A CHURCH IS TO PRESENT THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION: (
Verse 41
indicates the baptism of over 3,000 new believers who had heard, accepted the
message of salvation, repented of sins and were baptized. This is the first and
the utmost thing that a church should do. No church should be called a church
if it doesn’t present the gospel of salvation of man by faith in Jesus Christ.
Peter proclaimed the message, vv. 14-36, the people were greatly moved, (vv.
37-40) and were baptized. (v.41) That
is exactly what the Lord had commanded his followers to do in Matt. 28:19) Each
week, the message of salvation was delivered from the pulpit, Sunday School
classes and AWANA program to children in this church.
A CHURCH IS TO TEACH THE WORD OF GOD: (2:42a)
Right
after they were baptized, they were taught the teachings of the apostles
who had heard from their Master the Lord Himself. That is another thing
commanded by Jesus in Matt.28:20—teach them whatever He has commanded. A church
should teach the Bible, the word of God, in various forms such as Sunday
School, Discipleship, Small Group Bible classes and other means. In our church
we also have AWANA to teach children. We also promote Bible study by providing
devotional material.
A CHURCH IS TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS. (2:42, 46)
In these
2 verses, the Bible indicates believers had time for fellowship at home with
food. Fellowship of believers is always a very important part of a church from
day one. God called His people into groups, large and small, we call churches.
These people are to learn from each other, to love and support each other and
to serve the Lord with one another.
I can’t
imagine how and what needed to be done to feed 3,000 people in a church as they
did in the Bible. There must be lots of “service works” to get the job done
properly. It is nothing unspiritual to serve each other’s need in food and
other means. God never want lone rangers
in His church. We are called family of God and not stranger. (Ephesians 2:19)
A CHURCH IS TO WORSHIP AND PRAISE GOD: (
Some
people believe that early churches were meeting at homes. I know of only one,
the church at the home of a rich man Philemon. In
A CHURCH IS TO GIVE TO GOD AND PEOPLE: (
The
verses here indicate the whole-hearted giving of the believers, in material
possessions, to God through His church for the needs of the people. Many of
them gave all that they had, not the tithes we talk so much in churches today.
Giving symbolizes gratitude and thanksgiving to God. It also demonstrates
personal sacrifice and faith in God and His provision. It also provides
resources for church ministries. Give of money is an important sign of
obedience and love to God.
A CHURCH IS TO REACH OUT TO THE PEOPLE: (2:47b)
When the
Bible says, “They were enjoying the favor of the people, and the Lord added to
their numbers daily those who were being saved,” it indicates the non-believing
population. The church needs to reach out to the non-believing community to
bring them to salvation. This is also commanded by the Lord in Matt. 28:19.
CONCLUSION: These are not all that the early church did.
There were many more they did if we read the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let us
look at the above and see if there is anything we are not doing or anything we
are not doing well as a church or as individuals. May we all pray that the Lord
will make us effective believers and workers to strengthen His church.