Acts 2:42-47 The Characteristics of a Spiritual Church
Acts 2:42-47
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers. [43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. [44] And all that believed were together, and had all things common; [45] And sold their
possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. [46] And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their
meat with gladness and singleness of heart, [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Intro:In this passage we have a kind of a summary of the
characteristics of the early church. This early church was a spiritual
church. I believe that our definition of a spiritual church is very
different from that which the Bible, God’s Word, sets before us.
That the early church was a truely spiritrual church there can be
no doubt. In the first 13 chapters of Acts there are more than 40
references to the Holy Spirit. The early church was a spirit-filled
church. Let’s take a look at the Characteristics of a Spiritual
Church.....
I. The Holy Spirit was The Source of ALL GUIDANCE.
A. He moved Philip to contact Ethiopian Eunuch. [Acts 8:29]
Acts 8:29
Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."
B. He prepared Peter for the coming of the emissaries of
Corneluis.[Acts 10:19]
1
Acts 10:19
While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.
He ordered Peter to go with them.[Acts 11:12](this was a
break through of racial pride and barriers)
Acts 11:12
Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren
accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house.
C. He ordered the Church to set apart Paul and Barnabas to
take the Gospel to the Gentiles.[13:2-4]
Acts 13:2-4
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the
work to which I have called them." [3] Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them
away.
[4] So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
D. He guided the Church in its Decisions in the council
at Jerusalem.[15:26-29]
Acts 15:26-29
men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [27] We have therefore sent Judas and
Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. [28] For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us,
to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: [29] that you abstain from things offered to idols,
from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
II. All The Leaders of the Church were men of the Spirit.
This is one requirement that we would do well to consider when
choosing leaders.
A. The 7 Helpers (deacons) were full of the Spirit.[6:3]
Acts 6:3
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom,
whom we may appoint over this business;
B. Stephen one of the helpers, the 1st martyr was full of the
Holy Spirit.[7:55]
Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right
hand of God,
Barnabas, a faithful servant was full of the Holy Spirit.[11:19-24
Acts 11:19-24
Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia,
Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. [20] But some of them were men from Cyprus
and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. [21] And the
hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. [22] Then news of these
things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. [23] When
he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they
should continue with the Lord. [24] For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many
people were added to the Lord.
C. The Elders of Ephesus were guided by the Holy Spirit.
[20:28]
Acts 20:28
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
D. All the members of the Church became full of boldness.[4:31]
Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
III. The Spirit was the Source of Day to Day Courage and the Power
of the Early Believers.
A. The disciples were to receive Power when the Spirit came.[1:8]
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
They did as is evidenced by thier witnessing.[2:1-8,11b]
Acts 2:1-8
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there
came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3]
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[5] And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. [6] And when this
sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own
language. [7] Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak
Galileans? [8] And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
Acts 2:11b
we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
B. Peter’s Courage and Eloquence before the Sanhedrin is
the results of the activity of the Holy Spirit.[4:8-13]
Acts 4:8-13
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: [9] If we this day
are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, [10] let it be known to
you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God
raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. [11] This is the ’stone which was rejected by
you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ [12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other
name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
[13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and
untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
C. Paul’s victory over Elymas in Cyprus was due to the
power of the Holy Spirit.[13:4-12]
Acts 13:4-12
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. [5] And
when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John
as their assistant. [6] Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, [7] who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man.
This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his
name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [9] Then Saul, who also is
called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him [10] and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son
of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? [11] And
now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And
immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. [12] Then the
proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
VI. Our NEED Today can be MET by the Holy Spirit.[Ep.5:18]
Ephes. 5:18
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Conclusion:(add your own conclusion)
