Identifying a New Testament Church

Acts 2:43 – 45

Theme: A New Testament Church is identified by a peculiar people.

Introduction: This morning we are going to continue our thought on identifying a New Testament Church as we revisit our last message we recall Christianity today has taken on more identities than any other time in history. We talked about the traditional churches, contemporary churches, conservative churches, liberal churches, modern churches and primitive churches as examples. Within every type of church we seem to hear statements similar to these, “we are a new testament church” or “we are based on the principles of the first church.” Remember you and I are understanding how the Bible describes in detail the first church. And, how the Bible tells us to be or identify a New Testament Church. Again, some trends that do not specifically identify a New Testament Church are the Mega Church movement, the size of a congregation, style of music, a particular pastor or a denomination. We understood last week A New Testament Church must have a steadfast people. This week look at a New Testament Church and the necessity of a peculiar people. Over in 1 Peter 2:9 we read about the church - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: A peculiar people has some identifying traits notice with me...

I. They are a sanctified people who fear the Lord.

Acts 2:43 (a) And fear came upon every soul:

A. Fear – Isn’t trembling, it is an awesome reverence.

(1) The first church was saturated in it.

(2) Today there is but a flicker of it remaining.

B. Standards – Are NOT legalism, they are fundamental Bible doctrines that our church today has so haphazardly became de-sensitized to. I.e. immorality, deception, lying, false witnessing, etc.

C. Purity – Is a result of reverence and standards, it is the fear (trembling) of defilement and disgrace of God, His sanctuary and His saints.

II. They are a spectacular people who are vessels of use.

Acts 2:43 (b) and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

A. The apostles were men who were clean enough for God to work miracles through.

B. A powerful people, an ungrieved spirit pours out power.

C. The first church was used as a material body, signs, wonders and physical miracles. Our church is used as a mystical body to call upon Christ in faith to work miracles though those He has gifted.

III. They are a single people who have one accord.

Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

A. They have an organic oneness not and organized oneness.

B. They are likeminded.

(1) Through the Blood

(2) Through brotherly love

(3) Through the love of the lost

IV. They are a sacrificial people who accommodate true need.

Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

True need is...

A. Love NOT Law

B. Compassion NOT Compulsion

Conclusion: When visitors walk into this church, can they see and feel a difference between what’s outside those doors and what’s inside? If they can’t, were not a peculiar people. That’s not my determination that’s the word of God as we have just received it. I want to challenge each person present this morning to look at themselves and ask: do I fear God, am I a vessel capable of use, am I of one accord with everyone else and do I accommodate the needs of others properly. I can only answer these for myself and only you and God know where you stand as an individual. Maybe you are here today and don’t know the Lord, you can’t claim any of these, would you come to Him and ask Him to save you. As we sing a hymn of invitation, will you come?