“Explosion & Multiplication"
Acts 2:42
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”.
Introduction:
If we desire Gospel Explosion and Believers Multiplication, it would be good for us to look at the pattern set by the early church in Jerusalem following the Day of Pentecost. The church experienced phenomenal growth and had the power of God flowing through virtually everything they did on a daily basis.
I believe that they had set four enduring principles that would insure God’s blessing. Each of these points is reinforced by the phrase "they devoted themselves". That is to say they persevered in or endured in each of these areas.
First of all, they devoted themselves to…
I. Sound Principles
The Apostle’s doctrine - teaching, instruction, or the Apostle’s manner of life.
They were diligent and constant in their attendance upon the preaching of the word. They continued in the apostles' doctrine, and never disowned nor deserted it; or, as it may be read, they continued constant to the apostles' teaching or instruction; by baptism they were discipled to be taught, and they were willing to be taught.
II Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
II Timothy 4:3 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Many churches across our country have sought various ways to address growth in the midst of a changing culture. Unfortunately many have compromised and have failed to maintain a strong stand on doctrinal truth. Many have gone so far as to condone activities of the culture that clearly violated the precepts of Scripture.
E. A. W. Tozer (1897-1963) - Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need a return to a gentle dogmatism that smile while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God.
II John 1:9-11 (ESV) “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
Secondly, they devoted themselves to…
II. Strong Partnership
Fellowship - a sharing in common, partnership
They kept up the communion of saints. They continued in fellowship (v. 42), and continued daily with one accord in the temple, v. 46. They not only had a mutual affection to each other, but a great deal of mutual conversation with each other; they were much together.
I Corinthians 1:9 "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."
For the early Christians, koinonia was not tea, cookies, and sophisticated small talk in Fellowship Hall after the sermon. It was an almost unconditional sharing of their lives with the other members of Christ’s body.
Coming together is a beginning; staying together is progress; working together is success.
2 Corinthians 8:4 "Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints."
Christianity is not a solo sport.
Ephesians 4:11-13 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:"
Philippians 1:3-5 "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, [4] Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, [5] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;"
Thirdly, they devoted themselves to…
III. Special Provisions
Breaking of Bread = Communion = Lord’s Supper
They frequently joined in the ordinance of the Lord's supper. They continued in the breaking of bread, in celebrating that memorial of their Master's death, as those that were not ashamed to own their relation to, and their dependence upon, Christ and him crucified. They could not forget the death of Christ, yet they kept up this memorial of it, and made it their constant practice, because it was an institution of Christ, to be transmitted to the succeeding ages of the church. They broke bread from house to house; kat oikon--house by house.
Psalms 77:11 "I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old."
Illustration:
A powerful ruler built a great palace. Among the rooms was one that was always locked. He called it the Chamber of Memories. Every day he visited that room, but no one else was permitted inside. Finally one day the servants got a peep inside the locked room. There was no silver, no gold, no precious jewels. All they saw was a humble shepherd’s robe; the one the king had worn before he came to the throne. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of what we were before Christ found us and how far we have come.
I Corinthians 2:2 "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
Everything we do must revolve around the fact that we are where we are today, we do what we do today, we go where we go today, we say what we say today because Jesus Christ redeemed us by His precious blood and has commissioned everyone of us to spread the good news of His redeeming love.
Finally, they devoted themselves to…
IV. Steadfast Prayer
They continued in prayers. After the Spirit was poured out, as well as before, while they were waiting for him, they continued instant in prayer; for prayer will never be superseded till it comes to be swallowed up in everlasting praise. Breaking of bread comes in between the work and prayer, for it has reference to both, and is a help to both. The Lord's supper is a sermon to the eye, and a confirmation of God's word to us; and it is an encouragement to our prayers, and a solemn expression of the ascent of our souls to God.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Without the power of God there can be no lasting work done for Christ.
We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results. R. A. Torrey
Romans 15:30 "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;"
Our prayers lay the track down on which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails. - Watchman Nee
James 5:16b "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
Conclusion:
Acts 2:47 “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved”.
As a result of their continued devotion to the Apostle’s Doctrine, Fellowship, Breaking of bread, and Prayer… the New Testament church experience exponential growth.
What they actually experience is from addition to multiplication… Read the following references;
Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:47 “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved”.
Acts 4:4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Acts 5:14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
Acts 6:7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
“When the Gospel is shared it explodes and when it explodes multiplication of believers takes place”
