Today let’s look at the first church which was started by the people who believed in Jesus and received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  In Matt. 16:18 Jesus said, “I will build my church upon this rock.”  However, it is Acts that we first see the church is real existence.  This teaches us what kind of church we should be setting as a goal to become.  Each church is in a different situation so each church will be different, but the basic way of thinking should be the same because all churches are built by Christ. Therefore, to know how to build the church we need to look to the original, so see how the first church was.  If we follow it, then we will see the great works of God like we see in the Bible.  Therefore, today let’s look at 3 things that we can learn from the first church.

I.                Repentance and faith (vs. 37,38)

The foundation of the church was repentance and faith.  When the crowds heard Peter’s message, they were cut to the heart and asked what they should do.  When we look at Peter’s message we wouldn’t think that many people would be moved by it. He just said that Jesus was Lord, that what they had seen was the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, and that they had crucified Christ. Even so those who heard his message were cut to the heart.  This was because the Holy Spirit worked in their hearts and they felt guilty. Up until now they had not realized how terrible a thing that they had done. Now they realized the depth of their sin. 

John 16:8

By the Holy Spirit, they realized the deepness of their sin and began to seek  salvation from sin.

In order for the cross to become important to a person, he must first have a realization of sin.

When the people asked Peter what they should do, Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Here Peter is suggesting 2 things in order to be saved.  First is to repent.  Secondly is to be baptized.  Repent means to turn from the direction you are going and go back the opposite direction.  It doesn’t mean to be just regretful.  It means putting an end to your self centered life and turning around and living a life centered upon Jesus Christ. Doing this is a prerequisite for baptism. To be baptized you must believe that Jesus died for yourself, and you show that faith by being baptized. And just like Jesus rose from the dead, it is a symbol that you are going to live for Christ.

Therefore, repentance and baptism are the center of the Christian faith. There 2 things are actually one set.  The church is built up by the church gathering people who respond to the Gospel message by repenting and being baptized. If this doesn’t happen then it isn’t really a church. 

John 15:16

The church is made up of those who are chosen by Christ and have repented and are baptized. 

II.              The real characteristics of the church. (vs.41.42)

Next look at what those who gathered as a church did.

Those who heard Peter’s message, accepted Christ and were baptized that day were 3,000 people.  According to verse 4 these people did 4 things.

1.                                  They dedicated themselves to the teaching of the apostles.  The teachings of the apostles were the teachings of Christ.  These teachings were later collected and made into the New Testament.  Therefore, it could be said that they devoted themselves to the Bible. We too need to devote ourselves to the Bible

2.                                  Secondly is fellowship.  Fellowship is important in our Christian life.  Fellowship is Konania in Greek.  The word Konania is used in verse 44 and is translated “in common”.  They didn’t see their things as their own, but shared everything with each other.

Romans 12:15

This is real fellowship of a family. 

3.                                  Thirdly is the breaking of bread.  In other words, this is communion. Communion is to remind us that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  The faith that we confessed when we were baptized needs to be continued.  Communion helps us to remember that faith.  When we remember that Christ died for our sins and realize the grace of God, then we able to have confidence in the greatness of God’s love.  This gives us life and strength. 

4.                                  Fourth is prayer.  If there was a question as to what the first church did when you were together, the most correct answer would be that they always prayed. “Every day” they met and put their hearts together and prayed.(46)  It is becoming more and more difficult for the church to meet and pray because everyone is so busy.  However, the first church met everyday.  They were able to do so because they loved the Lord because he died for them, and they realized the power of prayer.

III.            God’s blessing (vs. 47)

The first church met together daily and prayed, devoted themselves to the apostle teaching, fellowshipped, and took communion.  This church was blessed by God. Everyday people were saved and new believers added to the church.  In other words, a church that is devoted to the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, and communion has a drawing appeal to outsiders. They didn’t try to bring people into the church, people came into the church. The Lord drew people into the church.  There weren’t big evangelistic meetings.  People were just drawn in by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The Lord will build His church.  It is not something that we need to do.  We need only to be the people that God wants us to be.  We need to be devoted to the Word of God, pray, fellowship and commune with God.  Then God will bring people into the church. This is the kind of church that we want to be. We want to see God working in a mighty way here.