A Study in The Book of Acts
A Study of the New Testament Church in Action
Part 2
THE DOCTRINE OF THE APOSTLES
We are continuing our discussion of the instructional verses for the church found in Acts. The Lord highlighted these verses to me several years ago and is showing me more and more each day. To show us how we are to grow and function with the Power of the Holy Spirit.
I find it very interesting that the disciple did not make it complicated. Once they understood what Jesus’ teaching meant and what they were to day, they walked in obedience from that day forth.
Yes, there were some missteps, but essentially, we have a simple blueprint of how the church of today should be flowing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:1-4: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Two things stand out, once again being of one accord is stressed. They were all of the same mind, waiting on the promise of God. Pentecost is the Greek word for the Jewish feast of Harvest or Feast of Weeks. It was the celebration of the early harvest in or around May, 50 days after the resurrection.
For us today is symbolizes the harvest of souls, believers that would result with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
In these scriptures the Holy Spirit came as a mighty rush of wind and sat on each believer as cloven tongues of fire. This symbolized the purifying of the disciples, getting them ready for their new roles. This is the only example of the rushing wind and tongues of fire.
Afterwards, as evidence of this miraculous event, they spoke with other tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19: 18. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Paul describes tongues as an unknown tongue.
1 Corinthians 12: 30-31: 28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30. Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Tongues is in unknown language that when given in general assembly will need interpretation.
Acts 2:11: 11. Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
The defining fact of this first evidence of tongues on the day of Pentecost is that it was unknown to the speaker but not to the listener. In other words, the people hearing the 120 speak, recognized their different language, they served as their own interpreter. Why? So that they could understand the Gospel message. So, we see that the Church is to believe in, accept and practice the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues.
The church is to always declare the wonderful works of God. The beauty of the gospel and Jesus life and death. Salvation, resurrection, and ascension and what that gives us today. We must be inclusive of the entire Gospel, not just easy to like or read parts.
Acts 2: 37-44: 37. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?'' 38. Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39. "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.'' 40. And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation.'' 41. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
We need to remember that Jesus told the disciples to preach the Gospel to the Jews first.
Acts 1:8: 8. "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.''
God had a plan. It always started with the Jews first. Peter preached to Jews first, they were from all over the known world, but they were Jews. As we study further, we will see God’s plan in action on the spreading of the Gospel to the known world.
There are specific instruction in these verses on what the church is to teach and believers are to do.
- REPENTANCE: Repentance of sins is the first principle of the doctrine of Christ.
Hebrews 6:1-3: 1. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2. of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
These are the basics of our beliefs.
- WATER BAPTISM; is also a basic foundational doctrine of the Church.
Matthew 16: 19: 19. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
This is the commission given by Jesus and we need to obey it.
- BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for the Promise of God, which was the Holy Spirit, to be given the power to do the work we are all called into. The Baptism of the Holy spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues is about the Power of God in our lives. The strength and wisdom, joy and peace we obtain by being obedient in this area.
- CONTINUE IN THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE: We discussed this in Hebrews 6:1-2.
It is listed as repentance from dead works, faith in God, Doctrine of Baptism, Laying on of Hands, Resurrection of the Dead, Eternal judgement and perfection of the saints.
- FELLOWSHIP: 1 John 1: 3-7: that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Fellowship here is Greek word: Transliterated: koinonia
Phonetic: koy-nohn-ee'-ah - partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: --(to) communicate(-ation), communion, distribution, fellowship.
We strengthen each other with our fellowship. The Life of God in me recognizes the life of God in you and we strengthen each other.
- BREAKING OF BREAD: The disciples did this on the first day of the week, discussed in Act 20. This is communion, we are to partake of communion in remembrance of Him.
Not lightly or routinely but really discerning the Lord’s body and what the broken body and shed blood truly mean.
- CONTINUING IN PRAYER: 17 Chapters in Acts mention the body in prayer. We will see this as we continue our study. The Prayers of the Saints are fulfillment of the incense upon the Golden Altar, ascending to God.
Revelations: 5: 8: 8. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
We are instructed throughout the Gospels and Epistles to pray without ceasing.
Jude :20. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
The Living Bible: -- Living Bible
Jude :20 But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. A prayerless church is a powerless church.
We must strengthen our prayer life, praying as we have been instructed.
- PERFORMING SIGNS AND WONDERS / LAYING ON OF HANDS: Signs and Wonders were done by the Apostles. Miracles are for the unbelievers, to bring them to Christ. We as believers were instructed by Jesus to lay hands on the sick and they will recover. The church as practices numbers 1-7, but we want to lay number 8 by the wayside. Signs and Wonders and Laying on of Hands is as much the work of the church as repentance, salvation and baptism. We need all as testimony of our Glorious Savior.
This is the beginning of the mandate for the church, for us to follow. It has not passed away, not stopped. We have a job to do, Ladies and we must be prepared to do it and encourage others in this endeavor. Amen?