Unity, Prayer, and Authority in the Early Church

 

Summary

In reflecting on the early church's formation, we see a profound example of obedience and unity. After Christ's ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem as instructed, despite their eagerness to spread the news of the resurrection. This period of waiting, lasting ten days, was marked by a commitment to prayer and community. The disciples gathered in the upper room, not as isolated individuals, but as a unified body, demonstrating the importance of fellowship in the Christian journey. This unity was not just a social gathering but a spiritual necessity, as illustrated by the story of the coal removed from the fire, which quickly lost its heat. Similarly, Christians are called to remain in fellowship to maintain spiritual fervor and effectiveness.

The early church's commitment to prayer is another significant aspect. They gathered with one accord, praying and seeking guidance, embodying the essence of a house of prayer. This practice of communal prayer was foundational, providing strength and direction for the burgeoning church. The presence of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers among the disciples highlights the transformative power of Christ's resurrection, even converting skeptics within his own family.

The selection of a new apostle to replace Judas underscores the importance of apostolic authority and the criteria for apostleship. The early church understood that apostles were not merely followers but were directly commissioned by Christ, serving as his ambassadors. This distinction is crucial, as it emphasizes the unique role of the apostles in establishing the church's foundation. The narrative also addresses the misconception of modern claims to apostolic authority, clarifying that the original apostles' authority was unique and unrepeatable.

As we seek to build our church today, we are reminded of the early church's example: obedient, unified, prayerful, and grounded in scripture. These principles should guide us as we strive to be a community that reflects the purity and purpose of the early church.

Key Takeaways:

1. Obedience in Waiting: The early disciples exemplified obedience by waiting in Jerusalem as instructed by Christ, despite their eagerness to spread the gospel. This teaches us the importance of patience and trust in God's timing, even when we are eager to act. Obedience often requires us to pause and prepare, allowing God to work in and through us in His perfect timing. [03:08]

2. The Necessity of Community: The story of the coal removed from the fire illustrates the necessity of Christian fellowship. Just as the coal loses its heat when isolated, Christians need the support and encouragement of a community to maintain spiritual fervor. This highlights the importance of being actively involved in a church community, where mutual support and prayer strengthen our faith. [07:03]

3. Prayer as a Foundation: The early church's commitment to prayer was foundational to its growth and strength. Gathering in unity to pray, they sought guidance and strength from God, setting an example for us to prioritize prayer in our lives. Prayer is not just a personal discipline but a communal practice that unites and empowers the church. [08:16]

4. Transformative Power of the Resurrection: The presence of Jesus' family members, who were once skeptics, among the disciples highlights the transformative power of the resurrection. This reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, and the resurrection continues to transform lives today. It encourages us to pray for and witness to those who may be skeptical or distant from faith. [10:48]

5. Apostolic Authority and Its Significance: The selection of a new apostle emphasizes the unique authority given to the original apostles. This authority was not based on personal ambition but on being directly commissioned by Christ. Understanding this helps us appreciate the foundational role of the apostles and the importance of adhering to their teachings as recorded in scripture. [15:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Mandate to Wait
- [00:49] - Returning to Jerusalem
- [02:31] - The Upper Room Gathering
- [03:08] - Obedience and Community
- [05:44] - The Story of the Coal
- [07:26] - The Importance of Fellowship
- [08:16] - Prayer and Unity
- [09:38] - Mary and Jesus' Brothers
- [11:23] - Disciples vs. Apostles
- [14:24] - The Crisis of Apostolic Succession
- [16:10] - The Death of Judas
- [18:59] - Searching the Scriptures
- [20:31] - Criteria for Apostleship
- [25:59] - Paul's Apostolic Call
- [26:49] - The Church's Pristine Purity

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:12-14 - The disciples' return to Jerusalem and their commitment to prayer and unity.
2. Acts 1:15-26 - The selection of Matthias to replace Judas as an apostle.

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to the disciples before His ascension, and how did they respond to these instructions? [00:11]

2. Describe the atmosphere and activities of the early church as they gathered in the upper room. What were they doing during this waiting period? [02:31]

3. How does the story of the coal removed from the fire illustrate the importance of community in the early church? [06:48]

4. What criteria were used to select a new apostle to replace Judas, and why was this process significant for the early church? [20:31]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why was it important for the disciples to wait in Jerusalem as instructed by Jesus, and what does this teach about obedience and trust in God's timing? [03:08]

2. How does the presence of Mary and Jesus' brothers among the disciples highlight the transformative power of the resurrection? What does this suggest about the impact of the resurrection on skeptics? [10:48]

3. In what ways did the early church's commitment to prayer and unity serve as a foundation for its growth and strength? How can this be applied to modern church communities? [08:16]

4. What is the significance of apostolic authority in the early church, and how does understanding this authority help us appreciate the teachings of the apostles today? [15:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait for God's timing. How did you handle the waiting period, and what did you learn from it about obedience and trust? [03:08]

2. In what ways can you actively contribute to the sense of community and fellowship within your church? Are there specific actions you can take to support and encourage others? [07:03]

3. How can you prioritize communal prayer in your life? What steps can you take to engage more deeply in prayer with others in your church community? [08:16]

4. Think of someone in your life who is skeptical about faith. How can you share the transformative power of the resurrection with them in a meaningful way? [10:48]

5. How does understanding the unique role of the apostles influence your view of the New Testament teachings? Are there specific teachings you feel called to study or apply more deeply? [15:21]

6. Consider the story of the coal removed from the fire. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you feel isolated? How can you reconnect with your church community to regain spiritual fervor? [06:48]

7. Reflect on the criteria for apostleship discussed in the sermon. How does this understanding challenge or affirm your view of spiritual leadership and authority in the church today? [20:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience in God's Timing
The early disciples demonstrated profound obedience by waiting in Jerusalem as instructed by Christ, even when they were eager to spread the gospel. This period of waiting, lasting ten days, was marked by a commitment to prayer and community. Their obedience teaches us the importance of patience and trust in God's timing, even when we are eager to act. Obedience often requires us to pause and prepare, allowing God to work in and through us in His perfect timing. This lesson is a reminder that sometimes the most faithful action is to wait and trust in God's plan. [03:08]

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is asking you to wait? How can you practice patience and trust in His timing today?


Day 2: The Power of Christian Fellowship
The story of the coal removed from the fire illustrates the necessity of Christian fellowship. Just as the coal loses its heat when isolated, Christians need the support and encouragement of a community to maintain spiritual fervor. The early church gathered in the upper room, not as isolated individuals, but as a unified body, demonstrating the importance of fellowship in the Christian journey. This highlights the importance of being actively involved in a church community, where mutual support and prayer strengthen our faith. [07:03]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to offer encouragement or support? How can you be more actively involved in fostering fellowship?


Day 3: The Foundation of Prayer
The early church's commitment to prayer was foundational to its growth and strength. Gathering in unity to pray, they sought guidance and strength from God, setting an example for us to prioritize prayer in our lives. Prayer is not just a personal discipline but a communal practice that unites and empowers the church. This practice of communal prayer was foundational, providing strength and direction for the burgeoning church. [08:16]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more communal prayer into your weekly routine? Is there a prayer group or partner you can join or start?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection
The presence of Jesus' family members, who were once skeptics, among the disciples highlights the transformative power of the resurrection. This reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace, and the resurrection continues to transform lives today. It encourages us to pray for and witness to those who may be skeptical or distant from faith. The resurrection is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of Christ's victory over death. [10:48]

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him." (Colossians 1:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life seems distant from faith? How can you pray for them and be a witness to the transformative power of the resurrection?


Day 5: Understanding Apostolic Authority
The selection of a new apostle emphasizes the unique authority given to the original apostles. This authority was not based on personal ambition but on being directly commissioned by Christ. Understanding this helps us appreciate the foundational role of the apostles and the importance of adhering to their teachings as recorded in scripture. The early church understood that apostles were not merely followers but were directly commissioned by Christ, serving as his ambassadors. [15:21]

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of the apostles' teachings? What steps can you take to ensure your faith is grounded in the foundation they laid?

Quotes


The first thing that characterized the church in the early days was obedience. They had instructions from the Lord and though they didn't want to wait around who had witnessed the resurrection of Christ wouldn't be eager to go out and spread the news everywhere and yet they were biting now at the bit eager to go nevertheless they stayed where they were told to stay they waited and they waited obediently. [00:03:08]

Beloved we cannot stand alone we need each other we need the support of Fellowship the mutual encouragement the strength of prayers of the community in which we are involved I was excited this morning to watch 47 people become a part of this congregation that tremendously strengthens who we are as a body there's that many more people to pray for each other to encourage for each other to be mutually supportive and that's what happened in the early church. [00:07:03]

They continued with one Accord in prayer and supplication they gathered together for prayer you remember our Lord when he cleansed the temple from its commercialism reminded the people that his father's house was to be a House of Prayer so the church in its first century formation in the beginning week of its existence is found gathered together in unity praying. [00:08:16]

Mary as a member of the first church I can't help but think of Mary's magnificant where she he says my soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit doth rejoice in God my savior her son was her Redeemer she wasn't co-redemptrix with him she was there with the rest of the disciples as part of the gathered church praying four and two her own son. [00:10:48]

When we look at the gospel record we realize that Jesus had many many many more disciples than the 12 he had the 70 that he sent out on a mission on one occasion and here Luke mentions 120 Paul talks about 500 who were Witnesses of his resurrection because the term disciple mothas in the Greek simply means student or learner Jesus was a rabbi going around the countryside Gathering students who followed after him. [00:11:23]

The Apostle is the ambassador who is commissioned by a king or a ruler who has given designated authority to speak in his name and with his power in the ancient world if a king sent an apostolos one who was sent an apostle as his Emissary his word was the word of the king carry the authority and the weight of the word of the king. [00:15:21]

There are people running around this country today not even far from where I'm speaking now who claim for themselves nothing less than Apostolic Authority but beloved there aren't any Apostles in the biblical sense running around like Mary or Sanford or the world because no one would meet the criteria established here in the New Testament for Apostolic succession. [00:16:10]

The early Church by the end of the first century the sub Apostolic fathers clearly understood the difference between their Authority and the church and the authority of the original Apostles because after the last Apostle died there were still teachers there were ministers there were preachers there were evangelists but no more Apostles. [00:25:59]

For now for today we get a little glimpse of the life of the church in its pristine Purity obedient unified praying searching the scriptures submissive to Apostolic Authority that should be in front of us all the time as we seek to build this church. [00:26:49]

The disciples now trying to understand all that had transpired before them probably remembering the discussions that Jesus had with those on the way to Emmas when he began with Moses and went through the whole Old Testament and showed them how the things that they had witnessed in Jerusalem had to happen they had to come to pass because each one of these things had been in detail predicted centuries before by the Old Testament prophets. [00:18:59]

The method that they chose here according to the book of Acts is that they made nominations they went through their body and they selected two possible candidates and then they threw the dice toss the coin chose Lots over who would be election now that may seem that the early church are the ones who originated the state lottery that's not what they were doing here. [00:20:31]

The third Criterion which was Far and Away the most important was to be an a Apostle one had to be commissioned directly and immediately by Christ himself just as in the Old Testament for anyone to be a prophet they had to be called by God that's why the prophets in Antiquity would give the information in their books like Amos and Jeremiah and Isaiah of the circumstances of their call where God directly and immediately set them apart to be prophets. [00:23:08]

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Transcript
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