ATC-Added to the church
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1. Apostle”s doctrine very important factor about the Apostles doctrine or teachings that early church believers continued in what they heard from the Apostles steadfastly.
Are today’s believers doing so hearing and continue to obey what the Apostles taught? What did they teach? We see in 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: ….. and so on and on the apostles teaching did consists of
1. Forgiveness
2. Justification
3. Reconcilation
4. Redemption
5. Sanctification
6. Newness of Life
7. Adoption
2. Fellowship A very much exhortation to fellowship with one another by gathering into one family and sharing the love and concern among the believers in their locality as a local church. Fellowship is required to encourage one another to love and continue in good works. Let’s see in the book of
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great competence of reward. 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
3. Breaking of breads another teaching of the Apostles which was continued and practiced. We see in 1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
4. Prayer-What should we pray for? Apostle Paul exhorted every believer to know Christ Jesus personally . The more we know Christ the more we become like Him. Very much of importance.secondly to know the power of His resurrection. Yes we are raised from the dead works to the living God who made us alive unto God by the power of His resurrection. Thirdly to partake the sufferings through His fellowship.This was the longing prayer of Apostle Paul .Let’s not neglect these 3 important prayers to experience His love and compassion to draw people to Him alone. Let’s read in Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;Lastly He exhorts to be strong and do.We see it in 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.The command in
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.This Year 2024 let’s continue steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship etc.The Lord with help us if we desire.
Sol. Francis Goa