Ecclesiology – A Study of the Church

A

BIBLICAL STUDY

OF

ECCLESIOLOGY

FOCUSED ON:

WORSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

Acts 2:42-47

Pastor F. Al Rosenblum M.A.

Introduction

As the Age of Israel came to a close (30 AD), a transition period began that would bring the newly formed church into the Church Age. This transition period lasted until approximately 100 AD, ending with the completion of the divine revelation, the canon of scriptures. The purpose of the transition was to phase out of the old way practiced for about 2,000 years and phase in the new way, the Church Age which has lasted for approximately 1980 years.

Acts 2:42-47 gives us a very detailed look at the ministry practices of the first church to ever exist, the First Church of Jerusalem that began on the Day of Pentecost 30 AD. The church was led by the disciples who had become the Apostles whose mission was to study and teach the word of God to the church and prayer for the mission of the church and it’s members. The church was in a unique state of unity at this point with all believers sharing everything in common. An unusual level of generosity also existed during this early phase with those having extra means being willing to liquidate their wealth to support those who had nothing. The church services were characterized by the Apostles teaching, the Eucharist, worship through reciting praise psalms and singing songs of praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The following is a exegetical, historical and categorical discussion of this passage. It is written in outline form as it was used by the author as his notes to teach separate bible studies in Grace Bible Church, Hot Springs Ar. in the year 2003.

The First Church Acts 2:42-47

The infant church was born in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. For the first time in history, every believer became indwelt and filled with the Spirit. The temple in Jerusalem was replaced by the body of the believer. The Levitical priesthood was replaced by the priesthood of every believer. Every believer was placed into permanent union with Christ, raised and seated at the right hand of God. The church and church age operating assets are clearly different from the nation Israel.

Ch 2 Context
2:1-5 –       GHS indwells and fills every believer – wind, tongues/fire, foreign tongues
2:5-13 –    God fearing Jews from every nation hear bel’s speaking God’s wonders in their own language
2:14-41 –  Peter’s sermon – quoted Joel 2:28-32; Psm 16:8-11; Psm 110:1 and related their prophecies to the Person/work of Jesus’ resurrection with about 3,000 saved.

1. The first church was pre-cannon and pre-gentile
a. Pre-cannon – no NT scriptures – Apostles interpretation of OT
b. Pre-Gentile – only Jewish bel’s – possible exception – 2:11 – Gentile converts to Judaism
2. A large number (3,000+) of members were from out of town and stayed in Jerusalem.
· God-fearing Jews from every nation – many saved
· We are not told who stayed and who went home – apparently many stayed
· Difficult logistical issues – finances; housing; daily needs
3. The first church was isolated within the Jewish society
· Christian theology was not a popular view to hold in Jerusalem
· The Christians stuck together, worshipped together, ate together, took care of one another
· The demonstrations of genuine love amazed the population – favorable view at first.
4. The first church was consistently committed – 10 imperfects – continuous action

2:42-47 – Outline
42          Worship components – teaching, fellowship, Eucharist, prayer
43          Miracles – credit card gifts to establish credibility
44-45    Love demonstrated – committed care for one another
46         Unity – worshipped and socialized together
47          Positive impact and effective evangelism

2:42 – Components of Worship

Vs 42 – imperfect periphrastic (intensifies) – eimi + proskartereo – they were consistently, they kept on worshipping
A periphrastic grammatical construction intensifies the concept in view. The concept in view is the consistency of worship in the first church. The consistency they practiced conveys the concept of commitment, a very strong commitment to worship the Lord Jesus. These believers would soon have their commitment tested by being confronted with the loss of their property, families and even their lives as their Jewish society turned against them.

Vs 42 – the teaching of the Apostles – didache – the content of their teaching is in a priority position in the sentence
· The Apostles were delegated the responsibility to speak for the Lord – Mt 28:18-20
· The Apostles had been gifted to teach the word of Christ – Mt 28:20
· The Apostles were instructed personally by the Lord – Acts 1:2
· The Apostles are part of the foundation of the church – Christ, Apostles, Prophets – Eph 2:20
· The Apostles were entrusted with the mystery doctrines – Eph 3:3-5
· The Apostles were the highest in authority on earth – 1Cor 12:28
· The Apostles were entrusted with the power to perform miracles – Acts 2:43
· We are instructed to listen to the doctrine and commands of the Apostles – Jude 1:17; 2Pt 3:2
· The apostles teaching establishes the divine policies for the church – Acts 15
· The teaching of the Apostles was the most important aspect of worship – priority position

The first church was desperately in need of knowledge of the changes taking place. The plan of God was making a change of the divine agency that would represent The Lord in His absence. The change was from the Age of Israel with the nation of Israel as the divine agency to the Church Age where the church would replace Israel as the authorized divine appointed representative for God. This change of a dispensation is still in effect today and will be until the rapture of the church.