God's plan of redemption - explained

Study 11. They devoted themselves to the Apostles

When we look at the church written about in the first part of the book of Acts (chapters 1 to 4) we see that they were a dynamic people, demonstrating with signs and wonders the Lordship of Jesus, sharing their food and possessions with all who were in need.

All they were doing is putting into practice the things that they had been taught by Jesus. Is there anything that they did more than 2000 years ago what we should be doing in the church of the 21st century today? Is there anything we can learn from them and does Acts chapter 2 verses 42 to 47 have anything to say to us today?

Let us take a look at what these verses say and then we shall be able to establish whether the answer is in the positive or the negative. These verses read as follows: "They were devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about through the apostles. All who believed were together and held everything in common, and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as they had need.

Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, praising God and having the good will of all the people. The Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved."

Firstly we see that they were devoted to the teaching of the Apostles, who were without a doubt teaching only the things that Jesus had taught them whilst He was in bodily form on earth. The members of the church did not just listen to the teaching of the Apostles they practiced what they were taught for themselves.

Further, at the beginning of the church in the book of Acts it seems there was no argument about doctrinal matters, they accepted what the Apostles taught because they were eye-witnesses to the events of which they spoke and they kept what they were teaching simple so that anyone could understand what it is all about.

Today so many times we hear on the news (and sadly even from the pulpits of some western churches) doctrines that are false, there is no foundation for them in the scripture and they contradict what the bible actually teaches. One of the things there has been a great debate about is whether Jesus had a virgin birth?

Some Ministers in churches in the western world say that they do not believe in the virgin birth, and that you do not have to believe in this doctrine to be a Christian. What nonsense. The bible clearly states in both Old and New Testaments that Jesus had to have a virgin birth or there is no way that He could save us.

Had He not had a virgin birth it is unmistakable that His father would have therefore been a human being who would have passed on his own sin nature to the child and this would make the child unacceptable to God, and he would not even be able to atone for his own sin much less the sin of the world for all time past and to come.

Therefore by logic also if you do not believe that Jesus had a virgin birth then there is nothing that He can do in order to bring you to salvation and you will have to suffer the punishment of the wicked which is banishment from the presence of God and into hell fire forever.

The Apostles would have taught that in order to come to Jesus they must not simply repent, but they must do more than this, they must repent and receive Christ Jesus as their saviour and walking in fellowship with Him thereafter. Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus was repentant over his sin but did not turn to Jesus.

Another thing that the Apostles would have taught that is much debated in theological circles both in the western world and in many other parts of the world is whether Jesus is the Son of God. Muslims say that the god they worship does not have a son; therefore the god that they worship is in compatible with the God that we worship.

There can be no compromise on this point; the two things are diametrically opposed to one another. In 1 John 5 verse 23 we read: "Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either. The person who confesses the Son has the Father also." If you do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God you do not have salvation.

John chapter 8 verse 28 reads: "Then Jesus said: "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak just what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do those things that please him."

Here Jesus is unmistakably referring to God as His Father, by logic therefore if God is His Father then He must be the Son of God and as He told those people around Him in His time on earth; "If you do not believe I am who I say I am you will die in your sin." Few statements could be clearer than that.

One of the scriptures that the Apostles and the members of the church acted upon is found in Isaiah chapter 58 verses 6 to 9 and read as follows: "No, this is the kind of fast I want, to see you remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed and to break every burdensome yoke.

To share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for the homeless oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don't turn your back on your own flesh and blood! Then your light will shine like the sunrise; your restoration will quickly arrive; your godly behaviour will go before you, The Lord's splendour will be your rear guard. Then you will call out, and the Lord will respond; you will cry out, and He will reply, "Here I am".

These verses in Acts chapter 2 tell us that they (the church members) were devoted to the fellowship (another way of saying the church). If you are devoted to the fellowship that means you are committed to attending and supporting the meetings, not staying away week after week because you do not feel like being in attendance.

Doing this is commitment, without it nothing worthwhile can be achieved. In some western churches this is a dirty word because many of the members use the church as a convenience and have no intention of being "committed" to the fellowship. Some only turn up when it is fellowship meal Sunday and are absent the rest of the time.

It tells us also that they held all things in common, selling their homes and possessions and giving the money to the Apostles to distribute to those in need. This is known as "sacrifice" and is another thing that must happen if anything of lasting value is to be achieved.

Jesus was very single-minded in the task that Father had given Him; He was so committed to going ahead with it that even death on a cross could not prevent Him. He gave Himself as the ultimate example of commitment and sacrifice and although it will not usually mean death each Christian should be equally single minded in his or her calling by God and prepared to make just as many sacrifices.

In the world right now we have an opportunity greater than ever before to make our lives count for something and reach out in love to the millions around us who have never once heard the true gospel of Jesus Christ and who might go into eternity this very night without knowing Christ.

Are we prepared to make the commitment and sacrifices necessary to reach these people with the love of God while there is still time for them to come to know Jesus, His love, His forgiveness and salvation? If we miss this opportunity there may never be another one so let us act now for the sake of the lost and for the glory of the name of Jesus.

Continue to the next part of God's plan of redemption - explained... Study 12. They devoted themselves to prayer

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