WE ARE A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE

WE ARE A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE by Dr. Frank Moore Scripture Background: Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:11-13 Biblical Truth: Believers in Jesus Christ unite themselves in fellowship together as God s people to compose the Body of Christ on earth. Why Adults Need This Session Our world is changing rapidly before our very eyes! A generation or two ago everyone in my hometown held similar religious beliefs. Most were Christian; those who weren t respected Christian values nonetheless. Today, religious beliefs from around the world call for our attention. Television, movies, and the internet bring these beliefs to rural, suburban, and metropolitan settings alike. They all request our tolerance and more. They demand our respect and call for our acceptance. Christians must know what it means to be Christian. Our ever-changing pluralistic society will rob us of our heritage if we fail to stay in touch with who we are and what we believe. Today s session reminds us what it means to be a Christian people. Session in Context Christ gave His disciples an important direction before He returned to His Father. He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). They followed His direction and the Holy Spirit fi lled them ten days later (Acts 2:1-4). This ignited the birth of the Christian. Both the disciples and the citizens of Jerusalem were amazed at the change the Spirit brought to individuals and to the group as a whole. The Book of Acts describes through the ministries of some of the Early leaders the work of God among them. The book is entitled The Acts of the Apostles. However, many Bible scholars contend it should be titled The Acts of the Holy Spirit since He is directing all that is accomplished among the early Christians. Today s session highlights some of the activities of early Christians immediately following the coming of the Holy Spirit. It also calls attention to the way the organized itself several years later. Today s session gives us good information not just for an historical understanding of the Early but to remind us of the key components that made the successful in the fi rst place. It also reminds us what it means to be a Christian people. Scripture Background 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was fi lled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 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, 47 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 (NIV) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Eph. 4:11-13 (NIV) 1

Scripture Exposition Introduction Christians in every land, in every language group, in every denominational affi liation agree on the ancient proclamation of faith Jesus is Lord. They affi rm Jesus Christ as their Savior. They hold the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ as the centerpiece for faith. Paul defi ned Christian faith in this way, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: fi rst for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from fi rst to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith (Rom. 1:16-17, NIV). Christians put their faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means we look to Jesus Christ alone for our salvation; that His death on the Cross removed our sins and restored our relationship with the Father. As we identify with Him in dying for us, we are forgiven of our sins and given new life. With that new life we are adopted into God s family and made His children. As His children we will live with Him forever. Down across 2000 years of history, Christians have summarized their faith in various ways. The Apostles Creed gives us one of the earliest summarizes. The Nicene Creed provides another example of Christian beliefs. A reading of both documents reveals the historic and central message of Christianity. The of the Nazarene stands with all Christians in affi rming the beliefs outlined in the ancient creeds. The of the Nazarene also articulates these beliefs in a document of a more recent time, our sixteen Articles of Faith. A summary of our faith reads as follows: We believe: 26.1. In one God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 26.2. That the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living. 26.3. That man is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually. 26.4. That the fi nally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost. 26.5. That the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justifi ed and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin. 26.6. That believers are to be sanctifi ed wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 26.7. That the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctifi cation of believers. 26.8. That our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the fi nal judgment will take place. Nazarene Manual 2005-2009 The Community of Faith in Action (Acts 2:42-47) Acts 2 begins with Jesus disciples praying together in one place and in unity of heart. The middle portion of the chapter describes the events surrounding the birthday of the once the Holy Spirit fi lled Christ s followers. The chapter ends with a snapshot of this community of believers. Notice the activities in which they participated. The Apostles Teaching. This refers to the gospel message with primary emphasis being placed on the death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and coming again of Jesus Christ. As you read the Book of Acts you hear this message presented in various settings as the disciples took the gospel message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and across the world of that time. The message both united them and sent them out into their world to proclaim the good news. What activities in your church correlate to the Early believers devoting themselves to the gospel message? Fellowship. The rest of Acts 2 and the rest of the Book of Acts illustrate this important feature of the Early. These early believers fellowshipped both in corporate worship and in social life. They 2

spent a great deal of time together praising God as well as talking, laughing, and eating. Their fellowship included looking out for the material needs of one another. The thrust of verses 44-45 calls attention not so much to socialism, or surrendering their rights to private possessions. Rather, they responded to one another s needs as they arose. What activities in your church correlate to the Early believers devoting themselves to fellowship? The Breaking of Bread. This phrase appears again in verse 46. Both the context and the use of the original language imply a difference in meaning between the two. Verse 46 refers to sharing meals together in a social setting, as in a potluck fellowship dinner or having another family into your home for a meal. Verse 42 refers to sharing together in communion or the Lord s Supper. Records from Early history indicate early disciples took Jesus command seriously to do this in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19). Acts 20:7 illustrates believers in Troas taking communion as a regular part of their worship. What activities in your church correlate to the Early believers devoting themselves to the breaking of bread? Prayer. We know the importance of private prayer in an individual s spiritual life. But, what about corporate prayer? Do Christians really need it? I mean does corporate prayer provide blessings and benefi ts not found in individual prayer alone? Apparently the early disciples believed it did. Praying together is listed as one of the most important things they did when they got together. As you study the Book of Acts, you see the Early getting together often to pray. We fi nd them praying together in the upstairs room prior to the arrival of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). Peter and John prayed together in Acts 3:1. In Acts 6:4, the twelve disciples enlisted the help of others so they could devote themselves more fully to prayer. The Early earnestly prayed together during Peter s imprisonment (Acts 12:5). Paul and his group prayed with believers at Philippi in Acts 16:13. These are just a few examples of the early Christians praying together. What activities in your church correlate to the Early believers devoting themselves to prayer? Notice in Acts 2:46-47 the effect of their activity together. The group experienced gladness and sincerity of heart. They reached a focal point of praising God. Outsiders looked on them with favor. New people accepted Christ regularly and joined their fellowship. It sounds like a good formula for the Lord s blessing, doesn t it. Being a Christian people means more than just calling yourself a Christian. It means joining the fellowship and living the Christian life. The Body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-13) As we saw in the previous passage, God does not call Christians to live lives of solitary confi nement. Rather, we live life together in community. Paul calls this community of believers the body of Christ. Imagine that! It really exceeds our ability to fully comprehend. We who follow Him on this earth are called His body. This passage emphasizes that we are all different, with different gifts and abilities. We all have strengths; we all have weaknesses. Nonetheless, God has a place for each one of us in His kingdom work. Paul makes a lengthy explanation of the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. He reminds us of our different strengths and our different responsibilities. Like the variety of instruments it takes to make a good orchestra or band or the variety of voices it takes to make a good choir, the Body of Christ consists of the diverse variety of people who follow Him. It s a miracle how God brings us together with our many differences and unites us into His body. Somehow when we put our strengths and abilities together, the tasks of the are accomplished, the gospel is proclaimed, and the Kingdom grows. Notice the goal Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:13. God wants His followers to come to a point of unity both in their spiritual beliefs and in their social life together. He wants Christians to share a common knowledge about His Son, Jesus. He wants them to mature in their faith. And, He wants their lives to refl ect the image of Christ. They can t do all of this by themselves. They need one another to accomplish this goal. 3

In his book, Decoding the : Mapping the DNA of Christ s Body, Howard Snider characterized the Christian with eight key words. He said the is: 1. Diverse with every kind of ethnic, social, economic, and educational differentiation known to humanity. 2. United by the central beliefs of the Christian faith we are discussing today. 3. Endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to carry out the work He calls us to do. 4. Holy by the cleansing and empowering work of the Holy Spirit within believers. 5. Local with each individual body of believers worshipping together throughout the world. 6. Universal as the local groups unite in a corporate identity that circles the globe. 7. Prophetic in declaring the message of the Bible to our world, including the messages of salvation, truth, mercy, and justice. 8. Apostolic in accurately passing the faith on from one generation to the next from the days of the Early until today. In reading this list of words we might be tempted to say, The has a mission. That s not entirely accurate. It s more accurate to say, God s mission has a. God is fulfi lling His plan in His world by partnering with His followers. He is allowing us to have a small part in His big plan. What an amazing thought! We are a Christian people. We are a part of a line of believers from Christ s time to today. God has been working in His world since He created it. His fi nal work was accomplished in Christ, His son. Over the last 2000 years, He has invited Christ s followers to join Him in His work. He offers followers His Spirit to live within their hearts and empower them for service in the world. As a Christian people, we have a holy heritage and a heavenly future! Session Navigator 1. Engage Read the Apostles Creed together. Then invite participants to comment on the following questions: What phrases seem most important to you as a Christian and why? Which phrases have you not thought about in a while? What does this creed tell you about the early followers of Jesus Christ? Why were early followers of Jesus Christ willing to die rather than denounce this creed? Would you be willing to die for this creed? The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucifi ed, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen Session Option Have two or more people share how they became a Christian. Be sure they share how their personal life and social habits changed as a result of their experience of salvation. Close the testimony time with the statement: All Christians share a common experience, forgiveness. Historically, all Christians also share 4

common beliefs. Today we are going to explore those beliefs together. Read the Apostles Creed together before moving on to the next section of the session. 2. Explore the Word The Early (Acts 2:42-47) Read through the passage together. Stop and pick out the words that describe what was important to the early followers of Jesus Christ. Be sure to call attention to the following words. devoted themselves (v. 42). This was more than a hobby or a pastime; it was their passion and their very lives. apostles teaching (v. 42). They agreed upon beliefs of the Early that came primarily from the life and ministry of Jesus and the books we now have as our Bible. fellowship (v. 42). Both socially in shared meals and spiritually in celebrating the Lord s Supper together. breaking of bread (v. 42). This reference implies sharing the Lord s Supper together which was a very important practice for early believers. prayer (v. 42). The early followers of Jesus got together often to talk to God as the community of faith. awe (v. 43). Something special and spiritual fi lled their presence when they gathered. wonders and miraculous signs (v. 43). God honored their efforts by performing miracles for the world to see, and hopefully believe in Jesus. everything in common (v. 44). The gospel has been called the great equalizer. It brings rich, poor, highly educated, uneducated, high class, and common class people together on common ground. Every day (v. 46). Again, being a Christian was not another activity added to an already busy schedule; it was their reason for existence. Hence, they made Christian activities a daily priority. the Lord added (v. 47). As a result of the work of the Holy Spirit among them, the Early grew! What does each of these words or phrases say about our commitment to Christ today and the way we should live it if we are going to follow in the tradition of the Early? The Developing (Eph. 4:11-13) Now, read through this passage together. Stop and pick out the words that answer the question, Why did God give the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers? Be sure to call attention to the following words. to prepare God s people for works of service (v. 12). God accomplishes some of His work through service performed by His people. the body of Christ may be built up (v. 12). God wants the ministries of the to build up the community of faith before it reaches out to the world. unity in the faith (v. 13). This is the fi rst step of Christian maturity in the body. in the knowledge of the Son of God (v.13). This is the reality of that maturity. to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (v. 13). This is the measure of that maturity. What does each of these phrases say about the purpose of the Body of Christ today and the way we should live our faith together if we are going to follow in the tradition of the Early? 3. Examine Life Look back over the passages of scripture. Describe in your own words the central features of this community of believers. In what ways were these early believers like your own community of faith? In what ways were these early believers different from your own community of faith? 4. Exercise Your Faith After studying this session, how has your view of the phrase, We are a Christian people changed? Give each participant a 3 by 5 inch note card. Ask them to write their answer to the following 5

question. After studying this session, see if you can give new insight to this important question: Why is a community of faith essential to individuals faith? After allowing time to respond, collect the cards and have someone read the answers aloud. After hearing this session, someone in your fellowship may want to become a Christian. Give them an opportunity to accept God s gift of salvation and lead them in a prayer of forgiveness. Be sure and spend a few minutes in celebration of salvation. Option #1 Read the Nicene Creed. Ask participants to note important phrases and share why they think they are important. Ask the following questions: Why were these beliefs important to the Early? Which of these ancient beliefs do we still teach actively? Which of these ancient beliefs have we neglected? Why has this creed survived to this day? Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucifi ed under Pontius Pilate: he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorifi ed. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN. Session Option #2 As a group, examine the denomination tree of the Christian. Then ask the following questions. Why do denominations exist? Why is it important to know our denominational heritage? What difference do denominational distinctives make in the way believers think? What difference do denominational distinctives make in the way believers live? 6

A FAMILY TREE OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS Polytheism Belief in many gods Monotheism Belief in one God Atheism No belief in God Primitive Tribal Religions Gods seen throughout nature Animism Ancestor worship Hinduism Thousands of gods Reincarnation Karma Judaism Moses Law (Torah) Rabbinical commentary (Talmud) New Age Religion God is in all things (pantheism) No sin Channeling, astrology, self-fulfillment, mysticism Connections to both Christianity and Eastern cults Christianity Jesus Christ Only Son of God The Trinity Old and New Testaments Salvation in Christ alone Seven Ecumenical Councils Islam Muhammad and Koran primary authorities Atheists and Nonreligious Reject supernaturalism Buddhism Only major religion that does not teach a living God (some forms have impersonal deities ) Reincarnation Nirvana Meditation, self-denial, search for peace, enlightenment Roman Catholic Papal supremacy Priest as mediator between man and God Veneration of Mary/saints Works/grace vital to salvation Liturgical worship centered in Lord s Supper Purgatory Protestantism Originated in 16th-century break with Roman Catholic (Reformation) Led by Luther, Zwingli, Calvin Justification by grace through faith Scripture is sole authority for faith and life Priesthood of all believers Eastern Orthodoxy Eastern Mediterranean churches split from Roman Catholic Rejects papal supremacy Authority in bishops Highly liturgical, ancient, and symbolic worship Veneration of icons Greek Orthodox Russian Orthodox Other national/ ethnic churches Lutheran Martin Luther Reformation theology Creeds Infant baptism Liturgical worship Anglican Combines Protestant and Catholic ideas Book of Common Prayer Scripture is authoritative guide Emphasizes worship over creeds Infant baptism Episcopal form of government Reformed Flows from theology of Zwingli and Calvin Sovereignty of God Predestination Limited atonement Eternal security Inerrancy of Scripture Emphasis on creeds Infant baptism Presbyterian form of government Anabaptist/Believers es Seeks to restore New Testament Christianity Adult baptism only Bible is manual for church government Missionary minded Stresses independence Simple worship Congregational form of government Pentecostal-Charismatic Holy Spirit oriented Speaking in tongues End times focus Divine healing Missionary minded Originated in 20th century from roots in the Holiness Movement Evangelical Lutheran in America Lutheran, Missouri Synod Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Episcopal Emphasizes beauty of worship Appeals to affluent African Methodist Episcopal 19th-century split based on racial issues United Methodist Combines evangelical and liberal Methodists Social activism Progressive sanctification Pastors appointed by bishops Methodist Stems from 18thcentury revival led by John and Charles Wesley Salvation available to all Arminian Sanctification as second work Christian perfection in this life Missionary minded Wesleyan-Holiness es Born out of the 19th-century holiness revivals Accepted pietism emphasis Reemphasis on sanctification as second work Possibility of a sinless life Sanctification both instantaneous and progressive Revival oriented Missionary minded Simple worship Conservative in theology Emphasis on personal ethics Appeal to the poor Wesleyan Free Methodist Salvation Army Nazarene Quakers (Friends) Mystic; the Inner Light No clergy, liturgy, or sacraments Social ministry emphasis Pacifist of Scotland United of Canada Merger of Methodists and Presbyterians Evangelical Friends Presbyterian Westminster Confession Both liberal and conservative groups Worship centers on preaching United of Christ Pilgrim fathers church Ecumenical Southern National Conv. (U.S.A.) Progressive Conv. Largest block of North American Protestants Most are Calvinist of God (Anderson) National Conv. (Am.) American Freewill s Mennonites Pacifist Simple lifestyle es of Christ/Disciples of Christ/ Christian Salvation occurs at baptism Emphasize mental assent to faith Weekly Communion Independent Bible es Fundamentalist Independent Antiecumenical Calvinist Plymouth Brethren Brethren in Christ of the Brethren Jesus Only Pentecostals Nontrinitarian Baptism in the name of Jesus only Baptism of the Holy Spirit is spiritual power, not purity United Pentecostal Pentecostal Holiness of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) ic Pentecostals Two works of grace Baptism of the Holy Spirit is spiritual power, not purity Assemblies of God International of the Foursquare Gospel Holiness Pentecostals Three works of grace: Salvation, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit Purity and power emphasized of God in Christ Copyright 2003 of the Nazarene. Used by permission of Sunday School Ministries and Holiness Today, June 2003. Created 1992 by Randy Cloud, Stan Ingersol, and William Miller. Revised 2003. 7