A Modern Day Book of Acts Church: First Century Principles Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. This evening I would like to share more than just a message; this is the passion of my heart. I don t intend to take a text from a single verse of scripture. If you will allow me I intend to preach for just a few moments from an entire book. The Book of Acts The book of Acts is said to be the centerpiece of the entire Bible. All of the other books in scripture either anticipate the book of acts, looking forward to that mighty move of God, o Or they use its record as a measuring stick for what the church should be. The Old Testament builds a foundation for the church that emerged in the Book of Acts o The epistles rest upon the accomplishments that were made in the Book of Acts. o The letters written to the churches, which were established by the apostles, were intended to encourage them to continue in the same faith and practices that they were familiar with o (the faith that was delivered to them by the apostles) The Principles of the Book of Acts Understanding this, that everything that comes before it looks forward to it, and that everything that comes after it is built upon it o It can easily be said that the Book of Acts is the most important book in the entire Bible. o All previous writings are poured into it, and all later writings draw from it. o It is the centerpiece of the bible, a picture of God s kingdom on this planet, as he intended to establish it. We would have literally no concept of the first Church, or the method of the gospel s progression, or the history of evangelization without the book of Acts. o The book of Acts, as a record of the first Church, should provide for us an expected norm o It is a statement of what the church was intended to be! The principles that we stand upon, as an apostolic church are founded upon the book of Acts. o The book of Acts presents to us an image of the kind of church that we are supposed to be. Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 1

o Its testimonies are not intended to represent an unreachable pinnacle, they are to represent the church as it should be. The book of Acts represents the doctrine of the church as it should be, a message of power, a message that has the power to overcome sin and this world. o The doctrine of the book of Acts is our doctrine. o The baptismal formula of the book of Acts is our baptismal formula. o The message of that First Century Church is our message. o The message of deliverance and infilling of the Holy Ghost that we preach today comes straight out of the pages of the book of Acts. o The book of Acts represents the church that God imbued with his spirit, a church that was no stranger to the demonstration of the power of God. I believe that it is time for us to become a Book of Acts Church in every way possible. I believe that the principles that were employed by the first century church will still work in the 21 st century. o I believe that God wants us to see a 21 st century move of God that rivals what occurred on the 28 chapters of the book of Acts. o Some would say it can t happen in this day and age. o Some would say that it is impossible, some would say that it wasn t mean to be. But my friend, my bible still says that the latter rain will be greater than the former. o I firmly believe that God has a greater things in store for the 21 st century church that what is recorded in the book of Acts. o The question tonight is not, can we have a book of acts church in the 21 st century. o The question is, why did we ever settle for anything less than a Book of Acts church? It s time we called the devil on his bluff and let him know that we know that he is a liar and the father of it. o The truth isn t in him. o And a Spirit filled people in the 21 st century has the same apostolic anointing that the church of the first century had. o This is our time. o This is our hour. o We have the message. o We have the truth. o We have the power of the Holy Ghost. We are apostolic in our message, we are apostolic in our worship, we are apostolic in our doctrine, it is high time that were apostolic in or faith. o It s high time we expected God give us the power and demonstration of His spirit. Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 2

I don t have time tonight to do justice to the topic that I want to introduce to you. I have spent much time in study and prayer over the last several months on this single subject. o What does it mean to be a Modern Day Book of Acts Church? o How do those first century principles find their way into 21 st century applications? We live in a completely different world, with a completely different political and spiritual atmosphere. o But I firmly believe that the principles that caused the first century church to become a powerful force that turned their world upside down for the gospel of Jesus Christ are timeless. o I believe that if the same principles are employed today, that the church of this hour can and will see an unprecedented move of God. Unfortunately there isn t time, in any single service to spend an appropriate amount of time on the principles that I believe were responsible for the success of the first century church. o What I plan to do tonight is just give you a brief overview of some things that we need to apply to our lives. o I believe this is the foundation of what it means to be a Modern Day Book of Acts Church. 1. Empowered Church They were an empowered church! o Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: o The Holy Ghost filled church of the first century was a church that allowed the power of the Holy ghost to work in them. o They were a church that wasn t just saved by the Holy Ghost. o It was more than just the final step in the plan of salvation. o They were empowered by the Holy Ghost. o They were a people that let the Holy Ghost work in their lives. o They were a people that expected the Holy Ghost to work. They had been empowered, they had been made more than over comers, they believed that in the power that resided within them they had everything they needed! o Ephesians 3:20 isn t just an anomaly of scripture it s evidence of a first century principle that needs to find a 21 st century application in our lives. o Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us o There is power working in us! o The Holy Ghost is viable force that will work within us if we will let it. We are not a dead church, we are not a traditional church, we are an EMPOWERED church! Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 3

o It s high time that we realized that and acted upon it. o It s time we quit being complacent as sin runs rampant around us. o It s time we quit sitting idly by while our families are destroyed by the powers of this world. o We have power that works within us!!!!! o But ye shall receive power!!! Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. o What did Peter have? Peter had Power! o Where did it come from? From the Holy Ghost! o What Peter had, I have! What Peter had, you have! o It s time we let it work in us! o If you are spirit filled tonight, you have been empowered. o It may lie dormant in your soul, but there is within you the same power that was within the Apostle Peter! 2. Empowered Message Acts 1:8 and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. o In addition to being an empowered church, the book of Acts church had an empowered message. They were an evangelistic church because they realized their was power in their message. o They weren t ashamed, they didn t look at themselves as some kind of second class citizens, they realized if they could share their message, it had within itself the power to transform lives. So often we get caught up in ourselves and all of our inabilities, everything that we can t do, but can I tell you tonight that you ve been given an empowered message! o If you will just share it, it will do the work, because it is empowered! The first century church was a church that carried the gospel to the world. o They declared the gospel to the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless. o When Paul stood before Felix in the 24 th chapter of Acts to plead his case, Felix said, I am acquainted with the way of which you speak. They spread their gospel because they realized it had the power to transform lives. o They were a revival church, which reached their world through the power of the gospel. o Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; I believe that it is high time that we recognized who we are and what we have! o We are an empowered church with an empowered message! o What world needs is not another religious movement, what this city needs is not another church, what people need is an empowered message. Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 4

o We have a message that sets the captive free, that binds the broken hearted, that lifts up the discouraged, that fills the emptiness that exists in every man. o We must publish it far and wide. The key to revival lies in ourt message of hope and deliverance. o Don t keep your mouth shut! o Broadcast this truth, it is the power of God unto salvation! o In the first century church you find every believer, empowered by the Holy Ghost, speaking in all places to everyone, sharing this empowered message. o They declared Jesus Christ risen from the grave. o They shared with everyone the need to be baptized in Jesus Name. o They told anyone that would listen about the power of the Holy Ghost. And God added Daily to the church, because they weren t just a Sunday church or a Wednesday church they were an everyday church, daily sharing this gospel message! o Acts 8 Phillip was in Samaria talking to some folks about God in the middle of the city. Then Peter and John started praying for folks in the town square and folks were filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus name. o Acts 10 - Peter was found in Cornelius house telling them about the power of the Holy Ghost. o Acts 19 Paul ran into some disciples of John. Starting talking to them about the Holy Ghost and baptism in Jesus Name. They talked to people in the synagogues, in the streets, on the steps of temples, in parks, in homes. o They did not wait for people to open the door so to speak. They considered a soul as an open door for the gospel! o When was the last time you shared this gospel? o When was the last time you let this powerful message work? o How will we have revival if we don t open our mouths and declare what God has done! I want to challenge you to be a Book of Acts Church Let it be noised abroad that Jesus is in the house. o Go spread the word it is the catalyst for revival! Talking about First Century Principles with 21 st Century applications we need to be an evangelistic church. o It is our job to plant the seed and water it, God gives the increase. o But there can t be any increase if we are constantly intimidated not to share this message. o I want you to understand this gospel is powerful, if it is reject, it s not you that has been rejected, you haven t failed, they ve rejected the gospel o The only way we can fail is if we keep it to our selves! The only way we can keep from having revival is if we don't share this powerful message! o We can t horde this gospel, we gotta share it. Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 5

o The parable of the sower is in the book for a reason, we must broadcast this word! o The sower didn't try to discern if the ground was right or not, he just broadcasted the seed. o He understood this principle: Seed is cheap but the harvest is rich. o We need to get that kind of mindset about the gospel! o We need to share it, everywhere with everyone! The first century church was a church that refused to be silenced. o Acts 4:20 says, we cannot help but to speak that which we have seen and heard! o It s time we got such a conviction about the things we have seen and heard. 3. People of the Name The first century church was a Jesus name church. o More than just being oneness in theology, they were a people of the name! o In Acts 3 when the lame beggar was healed, the people were amazed and Peter took advantage of the opportunity to explain the fact that, in verse 16 it was by the name of Jesus, through faith in that name, that made the man whole! o Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, They were a people of the name, that when they called upon that name, realized that they were calling upon all the power of heaven. o They more than just a Jesus name people, they were a people that believed in and applied the power of that name. o They were a church that believed that when they breathed the name of Jesus that situations were changed, that the supernatural was poised to happen at the mention of that name o They were a people that firmly believed that by the name of Jesus, anything was possible. o And they never hesitated to declare the power of that name. On another occasion in Acts 4:10 Peter declared, Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. o It s high time we exercised the power of the name of Jesus. o It has become the most common curse word in Hollywood, but it remains a power to be yielded by a Book of Acts Church! o It is high time we called upon that name, expecting God to do wonderful things. Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 6

o That name is yours, you took it on you in water baptism. o If anyone has the right to speak it with power and authority, you do! o When you speak that name, all of heaven listens. o When you speak that name all of hell trembles o At the mention of that name, sickness has flee, demons have to surrender their trophies, when that name is spoken power and authority is loosed. o There is, within that name the power to bind and to loose! The power of that name that worked in a first century church still works in the church today! o It still has power in the 21at century, it still has the power to set at liberty them that are bound, the power to heal a sin sick soul o There s power in that name, it s high time we put it to use in our lives. o When we call upon that name, we should expect god to move! 4. A people of prayer. The first century church was a church of prayer. o They were people of prayer. When Peter and John stood before the elders and scribes and the High Priest in Acts 4, the bible tells us that when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated common men they were astonished. o And they recognized that they had been with Jesus! o They were a church that spent time with Jesus. o They invested themselves in prayer and fasting, walking with God, spending time in His presence, and it showed! In Acts 4:31 they prayed until they moved heaven which shook the earth! o They prayed until the holy Ghost fell! o When James was killed with the sword and Peter was imprisoned, they didn t incite a riot and storm the prisons, instead they gathered together and went to their knees in prayer! They realized, our warfare is not with flesh and blood, but we do war with powers and principalities. o We win our victories on our knees. o We win our battles not in courts of law, but in the courts of the King of all Kings! o A 21 st Century Book of Acts church will be a church of prayer! o It will be a church that recognizes much more can be accomplished by an hour shut away in the presence of God than could ever be accomplished by the mere might of mortal men. There are so many other principles of the first century church that need to be applied to a 21 st Century church. 5. They were a people of unity. Acts 4:31 says that those who believed were of one heart and soul. Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 7

o They were a church that understood that if one can set a thousand to flight and two can set ten thousand to flight, to unified body of believers nothing is impossible. o A 21at Century Book of Acts church will be a Church that is united for the cause of Christ! 6. They were a giving people. They sold what they had to contribute to the work of God. o I believe that there is a 21 st Century application here, I don t believe we have to return to communal living to see it fulfilled. o But I do believe it s time we broke the yoke of finances. o Contrary to the way the world thinks, the key to financial blessing lies in giving! o It s time we became a giving church! 7. They were a separated church In Acts 2:40 They preached, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. o When Saul sought to persecute them he went looking for those that belonged to The Way. o Can I tell you that even in the First Century there was a noticeable way that marked the people of God. o They lived a certain way, they walked a certain way, there were things they wouldn t do, places they wouldn t go. o It was so evident that Paul was certain he would be able to recognize those that belonged to The Way! 8. They were a persecuted church But their persecution became the catalyst for their revival o They were pressed but they weren t defeated o They were overcomers! o There is so much more, but I don t have time tonight Close Both Luke and Acts are addressed to Theophilus. o It has long been thought that this may be a person that was an acquaintance of Luke. o The name comes from the combination of two Greek words, Theos and Phileos o Theophilus The Greek combination means God Lover I recently discovered that there are those that subscribe to the idea that Theophilus was not an individual but that his was intended to be a designation that marked the First Century Church. o In a day and age when it was dangerous to be called a Christian, these books were addressed to the God-Lovers! o This phrase may have been chosen by Luke because it was the best single designator for those that belonged to The Way. Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 8

It seems to me, this evening, that, if we are to be a 21 st Century Book of Acts church then we must first be Lovers of God! o We must know Him. o We must pursue Him. o We must walk with Him and talk with Him. o He must leave such an impression upon our lives that we can be clearly recognized as God Lovers! If it is your desire tonight to become a Modern Day Book of Acts church, can I humbly submit to you that this may be the pace to start. o Before we can excel in these other areas we must first order the priorities of our lives. o We must become, first and foremost, Lovers of God! o Why don t you find a place at alter and rekindle your first Love o Why don t you find a place in his presence and fall in love with Him all over again! Modern Day book Of Acts Church Part 1 9