The First Day of the Week

Acts 20:1-12

February 1, 1998

 

Read Ereine, Regulative Principle definition.

 

The practices of the local church are to be governed by Scripture:

1. Scripture identifies various components of church life.

2. Scripture does not fill in every detail of church life.

3. Local churches and bodies of believers must seek to be governed by the Holy Spirit's leadership 

    when deciding upon matters not specifically addressed in Scripture.

We will view our text as an example of some practices of early church life.

 

I. Those who hold the gospel together can engage in labor together (v. 4) 

1. Diverse group from various regions.

2. Entrusted with the gift of the churches for Jerusalem which Paul spoke of in II Corinthians. 

3. They held one another accountable; they also helped to guard one another's reputations.

4. They were engaged in a common work:

     a. Protecting Paul

    b. Learning from Paul

    c. Delivering the church's gifts

    d. Involvement in missionary endeavors

II. The church had an appointed time of assembling.

1. First day of the week in contrast to the Sabbath.  This is the first clear reference to Christian 

    practice.

2. They had likely been laboring at their jobs by day and gathered for worship and fellowship at 

    night.

3. They incorporated the breaking of bread with their assembling.

    a. Always in connection with the Word

    b. Combined with "love feast"; not extras or add-ons

    c. Communion and baptism are both visible declarations rather than verbal declarations of truth. 

4. They did not treat this day as an exact correspondent to the Sabbath.

5. They met in the evening and on this instance continued until daybreak (Do we set a  

    precedent?).   

6. They set the time according to the circumstances and needs of people.

III.  The focal point of the church assembling is the expounding of the Word of God.

1. There's the clear recognition of the need for ongoing teaching, instruction, and understanding of 

    the Scripture with all of its applications to daily life. 

2. Different approaches or fare were utilized to communicate the Word.

    a. Greek - "talking" is weak, better, "teach, instruct" but with the understanding that it involves 

         reasoning, dialogue, applying truth to the mind v. 7, 9.  Examples:  Sunday school, discussion 

        groups, etc.

    b. Message  speaks of the body or content which Paul was teaching, the proclamation.  It was 

        not rambling, but a sustained explanation or exposition on truth.  Both necessary and 

        needed in the practice of the church.

3. The early church saw the necessity of instruction.  They were willing to go to much personal 

    sacrifice to receive it.

4. The hunger for the Word kept them focused.  Nothing deterred them!

IV. The unity of the church was evident in its worship. 

1. Faithfulness to the assembling (perfect passive of "gather together" shows a set practice)

2. The commitment to the body even when stretched is evident in Eutychus

3. The church rallies around one another v. 8-10, 12

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