Snapshot of the First Church
May 02, 2010
by Geno Hildebrandt
Notes by Tim Margheim
Lesson: The “first church”, just before the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, displayed five characteristics worth emulating: They were diverse, united, praying, Bible-based and obedient.
Texts: Acts 1:12-26
Ice-Breakers:
- Share your favorite stories about family photo shoots or old family photos. (If you’ve got them with you, show ‘em!)
- When we share photos of family and friends what is left out? What can never be captured in a snapshot? How might that apply to our discussion about those first believers?
Background:
In the last half of Acts 1, Jesus’ followers were waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come, as Jesus had commanded them. They devoted themselves to prayer, and decided to replace Judas with another apostle, casting lots to determine between two qualified men. From this story, Geno drew out five characteristics of this early church worth emulating. They were:
- Diverse. The 11 disciples were with “the women” (who would not have prayed together with men in Jewish society). Jesus’ brothers are also mentioned, who initially hadn’t believed (John 7), but had come to know and trust in the resurrection. This was the firstfruits of the teaching in Galatians 3:26-29 that in Christ we are all sons of God, through faith—“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female”.
- United. They were “in one accord” (homothymadon). Daryl Bock said, “…it is a term that points to the fundamental unity within the church. Here the group is operating in obedience, waiting for the Spirit and praying in preparation as they wait. The nascent church is showing some of its most fundamental characteristics: gathered, seeking the Lord’s will with one mind in prayer, and assembled to carry out God’s mission…”
- Praying. They were devoted to prayer. Not fickle, lukewarm prayer; not plastic, hollow prayer. They were energetically, fervently praying as they waited for Jesus’ promise of the power of the Spirit.
- Bible-based. They sought to understand the mind of God by knowing and applying biblical principles.
- Obedient. Instead of returning home to Galilee, they waited in Jerusalem, the place of persecution. They honored God’s leader Peter; they discerned the will of God; they did what they understood till they receive greater understanding in the Spirit. (John Stott observed that they did four things to discern God’s will together: (1) They studied Scripture; (2) they used common sense (the one who takes Judas’ place must have the same qualifications, the same experience); (3) they prayed together; (4) they cast lots.)
Lessons for us today: (a) Accept others who are different—we’re all God’s resurrection people; (b) keep together prayer and Bible study as a means for discerning God’s will; (c) we should do what we do know until we know what to do next; and (d) we should foster a multi-dimensional view of leadership—both strong individual leaders & a collegial style are necessary & helpful.
Digging Deeper:
- How was diversity beginning to appear in this earliest church? How does diversity in the church display the gospel or bring glory to God?
- How is unity important? What’s the foundation & center of our unity? (Or: With whom are we united? Are there limits or parameters on our unity?) How can we address problems of disunity?
- Have you seen this kind of diversity & unity manifest itself in our own church? How can we grow in it? What should it look like?
- How have you seen God move through fervent, united prayer? Or, what has kept us from pressing into prayer in this way?
- How did Peter use these passages, Psalm 69:25 and 109:8? How did the disciples use Scripture, common sense, and prayer to decide what to do? (And what about that whole “casting lots” thing, anyway?)
Wrap Up:
- In your own life or in our church as a whole, how have you seen the fruit of God’s work in these areas? Where are you yearning for more transformation? Do you know what this would look like? Pray into the continuing work of God among us.
Outreach/Mission:
Pray for the group in Turkey, as they seek a place to develop a Cultural Center. Pray for wisdom, understanding, & discernment. Pray for Hope Chapel, that we will come together and pursue this work together as God would have us do |
