April 15, 2001 Volume 2 Number 15
|
Back To “The Way”
Through Bible Authority IX The NT Church Description: Membership The fifth area by which we can describe the NT church is membership. As mentioned in the last article when Jews and Gentiles were added to the church it occurred in very specific way; first of all, it is God who adds people to the church. The latter part of Acts 2:47 says, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” The saved are those who have been added to the Lord’s church----those who are members of it. Last time we discussed the subject of “hearing” the gospel message so that we might know the Will of God. We come to God through that which he teaches us. Hearing the word of God is the only way we can establish faith. Paul writes in Rom 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” This leads us to the subject at hand: faith.Jesus informed the world in John 8:24 that you will die in your sins if, “you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." Those are rather poignant words from our Lord---words, which need to be heeded. The Hebrew writer says in Heb 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Again the importance and necessity of faith is stated. Our faith must be active; it must demonstrate to God that our belief is genuine. The perfect illustration of this type of faith is given to us in the Book of James. James tells us in chapter 2 of his epistle that our faith must be like Abraham’s and Rahab’s. James preceded these two examples with this question, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (Vs. 14).” He goes on to give an example of a profitable faith. In verse 15-16 he says, “’If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” Nothing! The answer is obvious! James makes an even stronger statement in verse 17, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This section of Scripture not only states the importance of faith, in that, it must be profitable, but it goes on to show us how to have profitable faith. It must be active; it must be full of good works. Paul wrote in Eph 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Not works of the Old Law, but works of obedience, which show God that we love Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). He also said in Chapter 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” James goes on to say in verse 18, “But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You see faith is not simply an intellectual acknowledgement that God exists for if that were the case you would be no better than Satan’s demons. Verse 19 of James 2 says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!” James again uses very strong language to describe unprofitable faith. He says in verse 20, “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” James now uses Abraham and Rahab to show us what true faith is. He writes in verses 21-26 about these two people and draws conclusions we must heed. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” This is true faith and it is the type of faith that will make our service to God profitable. It is also one of the five steps necessary for eternal life. Won’t you follow Jesus into eternal bliss by obeying His will?
The book of Acts contains about 30 years of valuable history of the early church, from its inception to the imprisonment of Paul in Rome (Acts 2, 28). The historian often describes Christianity as "the way" (tes odou, Acts 9: 2, 19: 9, 23; 24: 14, 22). "Way" is suggestive of that which is defined and tangible (see also John 14: 6). The burden of this material is to notice some of the recorded instances of the growth of the church and in particular, the circumstances in which this growth occurred. However, in our study we must remember growth and spiritual flourishing are not just measured numerically. We must be aware that division is part of Christianity (I Cor. 11: 19). The way experienced an obscure beginning (Acts 2: 41 ff). However, the way began to advance as honest people heard the saving gospel proclaimed (Acts 2; 41, Rom. 1: 16, Lk. 8: 11). "…Many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand" (Acts 4: 4). There were initially about three thousand, in just a short time that number is 5, 000 (men). The circumstance of this growth involved an undeniable miracle and the combative preaching of the apostles (Acts 3; 4: 1-3). "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied…" (Acts 6: 1). The circumstances of this growth involved an aggressive and relentless effort to preach the word (Acts 5: 42). The apostles did not relent in the face of persecution. "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith" (Acts 6: 7). The prevailing condition surrounding the flourishing of the way involved a potentially explosive problem that had the appearance of "racism." (vss. 1-5). However, the problem was addressed and corrected. (See addendum.) "…The churches…were multiplied" (Acts 9: 31). The early church did not have to experience persecution in order to grow (Acts 4), but there was growth also in the absence of oppression (Acts 9: 31). The churches at this particular time were at rest or free of persecution. "…And a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord" (Acts 11: 21). This instance of growth was about ten years after the church began. Persecution was the impetus for this growth (vs. 19 ff). This growth was also brought about by individual Christians teaching those with whom they came in contact (Acts 11: 19 cp. 8: 4). "But the word of God grew and multiplied" (Acts 12: 24). The circumstance involved the miraculous death of blasphemous Herod (vs. 20 ff). Notice the historian describes this growth as the "word of God grew and multiplied." The seed or word is essential to the Kingdom (Lk. 8: 11, Matt. 13: 19). "And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region" (Acts 13: 49). The situation of this increase of the word involved the Gentiles hearing of the word, those who were ordained or disposed to eternal life (vs. 48). "And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily" (Acts 16: 5). The instance surrounding this increase pertained to false doctrine being taught and brethren addressing the matter (Acts 15). "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (Acts 19: 20). This circumstance involved the acknowledgement of sin and true repentance (Acts 19: 20). True repentance will also produce fruit (vs. 19). Some have sought to conceal sin, but not the apostle Paul. These are nine instances in the book of Acts of recorded growth. It has been well remarked that Acts is a running commentary on the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 18 ff). Paul wrote as early as AD 56 that all had heard the gospel (Rom. 10: 18, about four years before Acts terminates in chapter twenty-eight). Much of the rapidity of the spread of Christianity was simply due to individual Christians sharing the word with others. In conclusion, let us revisit some of the circumstances of the flourishing of the way in Acts: Combative preaching; relentlessly presenting the word; addressing and correcting a serious problem; a period of respite from persecution; severe persecution; the dethronement of a despot; people who were disposed to eternal life hearing the word; false doctrine was challenged; and true repentance being manifest. Beloved, it is sad and tragic that some believe the only circumstances conducive to growth are periods of ease. The fact is, the early church experience increase in all types of circumstances, those considered favorable as well as those viewed as unfavorable. Hence, growth, true growth is not circumstantial, as such. The constant in all these recorded cases is the presentation of the word and its reception into pure and honest hearts. Addendum: Some have estimated the number of Christians in Jerusalem at the time of Stephen's martyrdom is have been 20, 000 (Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles, by Simon Kistemaker, pg. 148). This is especially significant in view of the estimated normal population of Jerusalem only being about 55, 000 (Jerusalem in the time of Jesus, by Jochim Jeremias, pg. 83) A Mathematical
Miracle Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each one mile long, would be required! Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think, they were forty years in transit. And oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day, and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water! And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So, there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night. But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long...think of it! This much space just for nightly camping. Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs? The Spirit Expressly
Says ... The God of the Bible is all-present. God is not in everything, but He is present in our world. Consider the following:
The God of the Bible is Good and He assures His own that He will never abandon or forsake them. God can be an ever present part of your life. Study and learn more about Him in His word, the Bible. We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
|
