Apustuļu darbi 2:42-47

Wednessday, February 6, I taught Acts 2:42-47 in Ikskile. You can download the MP3 here. The text describes how the Lord added to the church those who were being saved. We focused on the model for the church found in Acts 2:42 to continue in 4 things:

1. The apostles teaching - for the equipping of the believers and growin in knowledge of Christ, we can New Testament
   
2. Fellowship - Sharing and having common
   
3. Breaking of bread - could mean eating meals together, remembering Christ's broken body and responding in worship.
   
4. Prayers - Communication with God
   

One thing that didn't make it on the MP3 is how Acts 2 illustrates the foundational teaching about baptisms (Hebrews 6:1-2)

1. In Acts 2:4, 17, 32 and 33 we see Jesus baptizing the disciples in the Holy Spirit and made them witnesses (see also John 1:33, Acts 1:5-8)
2. In Acts 2:38 and 41 we see the apostles baptizing new believers in water making them disciples (Matt 28:19). Water baptism does not save but it symbolizes our identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4, Col 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21).
   
3. In Acts 2:42-47 we see the Spirit of the Lord baptizing all Christians into the body of Christ making them members of the church (see 1 Corinthians 12:13). This is the "one baptism" all true believers have in common (Ephesians 4:5) since some truely saved people have not been baptised in the Holy Spirit or have not been baptised in water, for example the thief on the cross to whom Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43.
   

Easton's Bible dictionary says that the baptisms in Acts "suggests the idea that it was by dipping the person baptized, i.e. by immersion." Therefore we seek to be obedient to Christ by being immersed in water, in the Holy Spirit and in the church. They say the best way to learn a language is not just studying the books but to be immersed in the culture. Isn't it also true that the way to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ is not just by studying the Bible ourselves, but by being immersed in the new testament church that continues in His teaching, fellowship, worship and prayer? The word "church" in Greek is "ek-klesia" which means "out-called" in other words, Jesus is calling believers to come out into the public gathering in His name. Get plugged in, get immersed in the church. If you are a part of the body of Christ then live like it, be blessed and be a blessing.