Christian Living

Fellowship of the Early Church

by Rev. Daniel Sagar
10/04/21
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They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. First group was composed of Jews only. Later gentiles added. Early church has strict discipline. Our churches should produce the impact of early church. - Kraft. Lack of teaching class is pastor’s sin. Teaching is gift of Holy Sprit in Romans 12. The first disciples of apostles are called apostolic fathers. Jesus had 12 disciples but they influenced and documented many disciples. Sundays preachings but weekdays teachings. Jesus wants disciples not only Christians.

And they devoted to fellowship - prayer and breaking of bread. They went to temple daily and also broke bread in the homes. Ate with glad and sincere hearts. House churches, cell groups and care cells are the secret of church growth besides evangelism. They are self-supporting each other. They gave money from their own pockets. They did not wait for foreign agency. They sold their possessions and gave to every one who had need. Praising God and enjoying the favour of people. They are self-governing and self-evangelizing and also self-theologizing.

And they were more Pentecostal. Many signs and wonders were done by the apostles. Holy Spirit empowers the churches. They were filled with gifts of Holy Spirit. Signs and wonders made evangelism and evangelism setted up the culture. They were filled with known and unknown tongues. Prophecy and miracles. One day 5000 added and then 8000 added. And God added to them daily those who were being saved. They were baptized with water and with Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit enacted the role of dynamite among the believers.

They were concerned about the physical needs of people. We have to concern for the physical needs of pastor and believers. There is blessing in losing and releasing. There is a need to be needed and heed to be heeded. They did not sell all so they are not bankrupt. There was no needy person. Some say they are prepared for second coming because angel said the way Jesus ascended is the way he will descend on mount of olives. And they later realized that Jesus delayed. When we share we care and actually we also cure. Here there is total fellowship with God and also with each other believer.

Jesus told in Acts 1:8 that after receiving Holy Spirit you need to witness in state and neighbouring countries but they stayed in Jerusalem and Peter and John were beaten and Stephen was killed. Philip the deacon was the first to go to Samaria. If you do God’s ministry in God’s way you will get God’s supply in God’s time always. - Hudson Taylor. Sometimes persecutions are one of the great blessings and sovereign act of God.

The Testimony of Barnabas: His actual name was Joseph and he was Levite from island of Cyprus. He introduced Paul to apostles. He influenced Paul, Mark, Luke and Peter. So he influenced 2/3 of New Testament authors. He gave a second chance to John Mark who deserted ministry. Apostles gave him title Barnabas meaning son of prophets or son of encouragement. He sold a field and gave to the apostles. Some say he wrote the epistle of Hebrews. Antioch church the mission base for ministry at that time sent Paul and Barnabas for missionary journey as initiated by Holy Spirit. The change in Barnabas and Saul to Paul and Barnabas was into indicate the change of leadership from Barnabas to Paul.