Church By God’s Design

Acts 2:41-47 - Luke mentions eight things the church did and one thing God did.

1.) They gladly received His Word; they accepted the message (that Christ was crucified, buried and raised from the dead)

Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

2.) They devoted themselves

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Devoted (NIV) - proskartereo, pros-kar-ter-eh'-o; to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor):--attend (give self) continually (upon), continue (in, instant in, with), wait on (continually).

Apostles’ teaching

Fellowship

Communion

Prayer

3.) They were filled with awe – They were excited about their faith and their God.

Acts 2:43 Then fear (phobos) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

This was in all likelihood a result of their faithfulness to the activities in verse 42, especially the study of the Word

Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter

4.) They were all together

Acts 2:44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

“Those who believed”

“Were together” (epi) –in the same direction; against the same thing; besides one another

“Had all things in common”

John 17:21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.5.) They were no longer materialists

Acts 2:45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

There realized that every good and every perfect gift was from the Father (James)

Their financial and material blessings were given to them by God to reach those in the church and outside of the church.

They gave and it kept coming: Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Though they had material goods, their material goods didn’t have them; they held them with a loose grip.

6.) They loved each other

Acts 2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

Like us, they had jobs and other pursuits but they made fellowship a priority

7.) They praised God

Acts 2:47a praising God…

Yes we do praise God for who He is, but I think here their praise was for what He was doing in their lives

8.) They enjoyed the favor of their community

Acts 2:47b and having favor with all the people.

This more than likely was a result of their service to the community in verse 45.

9.) The Lord added to their number – people got saved!

Acts 2:47c And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.