THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. John 19 and 20- The
crucifixion, burial. and resurrection of Jesus opened the way for the beginning of the
church. 2. Luke 24:46-49- Jesus
commanded the apostles to wait at Jerusalem. 3. Acts 2:2-18- The Holy
Spirit came as promised. 4. Acts 2:16-36- The gospel
was preached as promised. 5. Acts 2:41-47- The church
began as promised. II. MAIN THEME- Jesus promised that His being lifted up would cause all people to be
drawn to Him. The birth of the church
came after Jesus finished His work on earth and returned to heaven where He
began His reign over the kingdom of God.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide the preaching of the gospel and to
bring about the birth of the church. 1. Jesus finished His work on
earth. a. According
to His promise, John 3:14-16, 12:32, 17:1-5, 19:30. b. He promised
power to the apostles, Acts 1:8. c. He ascended
into heaven, Acts 1:9-11. 2. The apostles waited at
Jerusalem. a. As Jesus
had commanded, Luke24:46-49, Acts 1:4. b. They prayed
in the upper room, Acts1:13-14. 3. The Holy Spirit came as
promised. a. They were
baptized with the Spirit, Acts 1:5-8, 2:1-4. b. The power
of the Spirit was demonstrated, Acts 2:2-6. 4. The gospel was preached,
Acts 2:14-36. a. Some people
believed the message, Acts 2:37. b. Peter told
them what to do, Acts 2:38. 5. People were added to the
church by God, Acts 2:41-47. a. They were
devoted to the apostles teaching, Acts 2:42, Jeremiah 31:33- 34. b. They were
devoted to each other, Acts 2:42-45, 4:32-35. III.. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. The church today results
from the same teaching as Peter gave, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 15:1-4, 1 Peter 1:18-23. 2. Christians today should
have the same motivation as the first Christians, Colossians 1:9-18. 3. The purpose of the church
is to know God and to make Him known to the world, Ephesians 1:17, 3:10, 1 Peter 2:9-10. 4. The church is to support
the gospel, I Tim 3:15. IV.
MEMORY VERSE: ACTS 2:41. |