They Were A Spirit-Filled Church Series

They Were a Spirit Filled Church

Acts 2:42-47

We began our study in Acts 1-2 with the idea that God was able to do so much in and through the first church because of their belief. They believed in all that Jesus ever began to and teach, they believed in the resurrection, they believed in the Kingdom of God, they believed in the Scriptures, they believed in prayer, they believed in God’s leadership, they believed in each other, they believed in the Holy Spirit, and last week they believed in Spirit filled preaching. Today’s message is last message of this “They Believed Series” and it is entitled “They Were A Spirit Filled Church”

We have before us today a picture of the model church. You’ve heard me say; “if our church could be any kind of church our church wanted to be what kind of church would our church be?” The answer is found here in Acts 2:42-47.

Let me say first that this was not a perfect church. It dealt with its problems just like any other church. As we read through Acts we see this church had its religious hypocrites as do all churches, it had to deal with doctrinal errors at times just like any church today has too, and it had its share of sinful human beings just like any church today does. Any church will at times encounter trouble and trials within the body, the difference in how those churches go through and deal with those issues is whether or not they are spirit-filled, bible believing churches, Christ honoring churches.

Just because it wasn’t a perfect church doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good church or a model church for us. This church was a Spirit-filled church that had several great qualities that would be found in any Spirit-filled church. It is those qualities that I want to speak to today.

A Spirit-Filled Church:

1. Is a Bible Studying Church. Vs.42a

Acts 2:42; And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching NASB

A Spirit-filled church will always be given to preaching and teaching of the Word of God. I’ve mentioned several times already what it means to be filled with the Spirit. When we look at the times that the words filled with the Spirit are mentioned in the book Acts a strong and bold proclamation of Christ is found. It only makes sense that a church that is Spirit filled will have a great desire to know the truth, the Apostles teaching, God’s Word, concerning everything Jesus ever began to do or teach.

In Peter’s second book he says:

2 Peter 1:12-16; 12 Therefore, I shall always be ready to remind {make known again} you of these things,{the things that Jesus ever began to do and teach} even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up {to fan into flame or to kindle afresh} by way of reminder, {by making known again} 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. NASB

2 Peter 3:1-2; 3:1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up {fanning into flame or kindling afresh} your sincere mind by way of reminder, {by making known again} 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. NASB

When Peter says reminder or stir up it all has to do with preaching and teaching of the Word. We can never be all that God wants us to be and we can never do all that God wants us to do if we are not Spirit filled and we will never be Spirit filled if we do not devote ourselves to the Apostles teaching {New Testament}.

What holds true for the church should also hold true for the believer. If you are Spirit filled you will want to read, study, and know the Word of God. If you do not have a desire to know the Word, if the Word of God does not interest you and does not mean so much to you then you should ask the question, “am I really saved” and if you are saved you should ask the question, “am I really Spirit filled”.