The Significant Characteristics of the Body of Christ/the Church
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“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:42-47
Main Idea: Luke gives several significant descriptions of a healthy body of Christ, the Church.
1. Descriptions of the Church
- Devotion to the Word (2:42a,43)
- Devotion to one another (2:42b,44)
- Devotion to the breaking of bread (2:42c,46)
- Devotion to prayer (2:42d)
- Radical generosity, especially within the church (2:45)
- Constant interaction with one another (2:46a)
- Gathering in both large and small groups (2:46b)
- A spirit of awe, gladness, and praise to God (2:43a,46-47a)
- Displaying an attractive faith (2:47b)
- Daily evangelism (2:47c)
2. Checking Our Vital Signs
- Vital sign 1: Biblical nourishment
- Vital sign 2: Loving fellowship
- Vital sign 3: Vibrant worship
- Vital sign 4: Word and deed outreach
“One another” passages of a healthy Christian and a Healthy Body of Christ:
- to love one another. (John 13:34)
- We who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. (Rom 12:5)
- Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. (Rom 12: 10)
- Outdo one another in showing honor. (Rom 12: 10)
- Instruct one another. (Rom 15: 14)
- The members would have the same concern for each other. (1 Cor 12:25)
- Serve one another through love. (Gal 5:13)
- Carry one another’s burdens. (Gal 6:2)
- With patience, bearing with one another in love. (Eph 4:2)
- Be kind and compassionate to one another. (Eph 4:32)
- Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also. (Eph 5:21)
- In humility consider others as more important than yourselves. (Phil 2:3)
- Do not lie to one another. (Col 3:9)
- Encourage one another. (1 Thess 4: 18)
- Always pursue what is good for one another. (1 Thess 5:15)
- Let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works. (Heb 10:24)
- Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. (Jas 4:11)
- Do not complain about one another. (Jas 5:9)
- Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. (Jas 5:16)
- Be hospitable to one another without complaining. (1 Pet 4:9)
- All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. (1 Pet 5:5)
- Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)
- No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us. (1 John 4: 12)