(Mat 16:13-18 KJV) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? {14} And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. {15} He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? {16} And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. {17} And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. {18} And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(Acts 4:31-35 KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. {32} And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. {33} And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. {34} Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, {35} And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
1. The New Testament Church Was A Church of Prayer.
A. They prayed “And when they had prayed…” The N. T. Church was praying church, they had learned from the teaching and living example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. Prayer brought results “the place was shaken.” Un-prayed prayers do not effect change or bring results. When we purpose in our hearts to pray, God will heard us and answer prayer. The N. T. Church learned in the midst of the good times as well in the bad times to pray and seek the face of God.
C. They prayed together “they were assembled together.” A keystone, or foundation of the N. T. Church was their unity. They learned the importance of sticking together, as the Jewish leaders sought to destroy this newly birthed church. They sought for ways to bring division. However, the early church had a unity as they sought God’s will and direction.
2. The New Testament Church was Filled With The Holy Spirit.
A. All were filled: “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
B. All were filled when they had prayed, “And when they had prayed… they were all filled.” It is the will of God for all believers to be filled or to receive the fullness or Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
3. The New Testament Church Was A Church of The Word.
A. The Word emanated from the Holy Spirit infilling, “were all filled … and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
B. The was verbalized “they spake the word of God.”
C. The Word was preached with boldness “they spake… with boldness.”
(1 Cor 1:18 KJV) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
4. The New Testament Church Was A Church of Grace.
A. There was an abundance of grace “great grace was upon them all.” God’s grace is needed in this hour. We have the promise of God’s grace being available to us to share with our world.
(Rom 5:20 KJV) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
The church today still has a message of God’s amazing grace to share with a lost world. Look at where God brought you from. Look at what He is doing in your life. He can do it again. He can and will do it for others.
B. Grace and love prevailed, they “were of one heart and of one soul.”
5. The New Testament Church Was A Church of Generosity.
A. Sharing was a natural grace “Neither was there any among them that lacked.”
B. Their giving was an outward expression.
Conclusion:
The church is the body of Christ, and the members of the body of Christ are the only one in all of God’s creation that are breathed upon, inspired, anointed, and moved upon by the Holy Spirit. Our challenge today is to be the continuation of that New Testament church today.
