THE CHURCH IN ACTSLIVING ROOM BIBLE STUDY - TEACHERS

“Acts is seeing Christianity the real thing in action for the first time in history....The church as it was meant to be!”JB Philips

SESSION ONE: “THE PATTERN”

Question: Does Jesus have a pattern or a blueprint for his house and if so what is it?

YES!! Not only a pattern but the word of God is clear on how he would build it!!

(JESUS IS THE ARCHIETECT (MASTER BUILDER) AND THE BIBLE IS OUR BLUEPRINT AND GUIDE)

In the Old Testament God spoke to Moses no less than nine times when he instructed him to build the tabernacle or The House of God.

Exodus ch: 26 v 30 “And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain”

(Exodus ch: 27v 8/25v 9/31v 11/39v 32/42,43/Numbers ch: 8v 4)

Important: God was emphasising over and over the need to build according to his instructions and word

Traditions, church constitutions, habits, manmade patterns may be good but may not necessarily be the pattern for the New testament Church or House of God.

Acts ch: 7 v 44 – Stephen describes the OT Tabernacle as the “Church in the wilderness”

Hebrews ch: 8 v 5 “Copy and shadow of Heavenly things”

If it was important for Moses to build a copy, a type by the pattern then it is vital that we also build the New Testament Church according to what God has shown us in his word

Christ is building his Church, HIS HOUSE! (Mathew ch: 16 v 18

The idea of a “house” or “building “is clear and emphasised continually throughout scripture

Question: If you go to a builder’s yard and look at the material do you have a building?

There has to be a coming together, a foundation, the stability of walls and a covering of a roof. Looks impressive in a builder’s yard but it isn’t yet a HOUSE!!

Jesus spent 40 days speaking and teaching to his disciples what the coming kingdom would look like

Paul spent all his time structuring, teaching, building a dynamic house that would be a “habitation of God through the Spirit”

1st Corinthians ch: 3 v 9-11

“As a wise and master builder I have laid the foundation”

Quote: “The New Testament church is focused on a biblical blueprint and has intentional design and clarity of purpose that builds an impacting, vibrant and enduring church”

Question: What type of House does Jesus want us to build? Or what church model should we adapt??

MODELS OF VARIOUS CHRUCHES

EVANGELICAL - PERSONNAL CONVERSTION/BIBLICAL INERRANCY PENTECOSTAL - BAPTISM BY THE SPIRIT/EXPLOSIONS OF MISSIONS LATTER RAIN MOVEMENT – NEW DIMENSION OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP RESTORATION CHURCH – TAB OF DAVID/FIVE FOLD MINISTRY/HEALING WORD OF FAITH – POSITIVE CONFESSION/”NAME IT CLAIM IT” CHARISMATIC – OPENESS TO SPIRIT /CROSS DENOM/LACKING BIBLICAL DEEPTH HOUSE CHURCH – 6-12 MILLION PEOPLE IN USA ATTEND HOUSE GROUPS SEEKER FRIENDLY – CHURCH ATMOSPHERE DESIGNED FOR THE UNSAVED G12 – DISCIPLE 12 PEOPLE WHO IN TURN REPEAPT THE SAME MULTI SITE – ON ECHURCH MANY LOCATIONS INTERNET CHURCH – PEOPLE CHURCHED ONLINE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH- A CHURCH NON BELIEVERS LOVE TO ATTEND

Eight patterns found in the 1 st Church

1. The new testament church was clear in its doctrinal experience and foundationa) Repentanceb) Baptismc) In filling with the Holy Ghost

2. Believers immediately identified with a community of believers after conversation

(As they entered covenant with the lord so they entered covenant with each other)

3. Leadership became the bedrock of each community to govern, teach and impart vision

4. The church was a worshipping & praying community5. The power of the lord was evident when the word was preached with signs and

wonders following6. Membership/Connection to the local church was taken seriously7. Believers maintained unity and vibrancy is fellowship8. Great grace brought about a great move of the Holy Ghost in homes, towns, cities

and the synagogues.

The church became a living, breathing, vibrant community as it comes alive to the purpose and power of the lord among them. The scattered material that was disjointed before Pentecost, now becomes the House that would cover and transform the then known world.

Question: Did the foundation and pattern laid down by Jesus in the 1st church have a direct impact on the effectiveness and impact into the culture around them?

Question: In what way can the church still retain its pattern and foundation yet be relevant to the immerging culture?