Study of Acts of the Apostles pt. 2 (cont'd)

4. Prayer - vs. 42

For what purpose? Seeking wisdom, guidance, encouragement from God. Lifting up needs of members of the groups. Praying for healing – physical, emotional, spiritual. Worship God. Praying for family members/friends/neighbors/enemies. Draw closer to God.

5. Ministering to others/evangelism - vs. 45 - Sharing property and possessions with anyone in need.

a) Who falls under the category of “anyone”? Believer and non-believer

b) For what purpose? Following Christ’s example. He gave up the riches of
heaven in order to meet the needs of humanity – the greatest being salvation.
A fellow believer in need (food, clothing, shelter), the group met the need.
Neighbors who were non-believers in need (food, clothing, shelter), the group
met the need. Neighbor ask why – opportunity to witness

6. Praising God/Worship - vs. 47 a) How do you suppose they praised God?
See Ephesians 5: 19; Colossians 3: 16 - psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, making
melody, singing songs of thankfulness

b) For what purpose? Worship; giving God glory

3. What was the local community’s response to the early believers? Found favor with all people – includes non-believers.

4. What was God’s response to the early Church? - vs. 47 Blessings – added to their number daily new believers.

5. What role did Church play in the lives of early Christians?

Discipleship - nurtured spiritual growth (milk to meat), place of encouragement/support, promoted unity, avenue of service/outreach to church body and local community, and promoted worship.

6. What impact did the early Church have on the Local Community? vs. 45, 47
- Evangelism – meeting needs, offering hope

Acts 2:43 – Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe. Awe – submissive and admiring fear inspired by authority or power. When did they feel sense of awe? What inspired it? Not because of signs and wonders. Those came after awe. Awe resulted from church experience.

Definition of church - An assembly of believers who continually devote themselves to studying the Word, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, ministry, and praising God. Purposes - Nurture spiritual growth, encouragement, service/outreach to church body and community, and worship.