Early Church

Early Church revessie@yahoo.com 02/17/10 Fellowship is the central focus of the early church which resulted in witnessing with souls being saved. We are not to get caught up with the mechanics. Signs, miracles, and wonders happened because people simply got together! I. There was fellowship in two directions, God-ward and with each other. Acts 2:42. A.The word “fellowship: is “koinonia” which means partnership, benefaction, participation, to communicate, communion, distribution. 1. “…steadfastly in the apolstles doctrine…” Acts 2:42 a. Studying or to continue in the teaching of scripture. 2. “…breaking of bread” 2:42 a. This has been constantly viewed as partaking of the Lord’s Supper rather than sharing a meal. 3. “…and in prayers…” 2:42 Prayer was a major part and still should be. (Communication with God.) 4. “and they continued daily with one accord in the Temple…” (Temple destroyed in 70 C.E. now the Wailing Wall.) a. Regularly coming together in a place designated to worship God in. After the destruction, they met in homes,then later a building set solely for meetings. 5. “Praising God”2:47Praise and Worship important.Jo 4:20-24 B. Fellowship with one another. 2:42 1. “…and fellowship…” which is more than coming to the same church as someone else. 2. “…all the believers are together…” 2:44-46 Unity. One heart and one soul. Their minds were together. When all come together in unity the power of God will come forth. Acts 2:1-4, 4:24, 31-33. 3. “…and had all things common.” 2:44 No one was stingy or didn’t give once in a while. Acts 2:44-45, 4:32, 34-47. a. Did not claim sole ownership to anything but shared. b. Had a common means but not a common bed. c. GaveApostles the money that they received from sales and no one lacked and all needs were met. 4. “…and breaking bread from house to house, did eat…” 2:46 a. God emphasizes eating together. To know 1 another.