The Church to Which the Lord Added
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
9/13/2015 PM
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Text:
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Acts 2:42-47
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Psalters: |
229, 76, 277, 369 |
- What is this adding?
- First, the adding is being done to a local congregation.
- Second, the adding is being done by “the Lord.”
- This is the crucified, risen, and exalted Jesus Who sits at God’s right hand.
- It is most proper and necessary that the Lord does the adding to His church.
- How does the Lord Jesus cause the church to grow? Look at context of the chapter when 3000 were added.
- Two things involved: Spirit of Christ was just poured out and the church was active in Peter’s preaching.
- This clearly implies a very close relationship of the saving of men and church membership.
- Our text speaks of church growth at the end of a statement about the life of the church at Jerusalem (42-47a)
- Normally, the local church which grows has a healthy spiritual condition.
- The healthy spiritual condition of the local church consists of three things.
- First, there is a steadfast continuing in the apostles’ doctrine (teachings).
- Second, the church at Jerusalem was characterized by the fellowship of the members with each other.
- Third, the church was highly spiritual, for the “fear” of God was in every soul.
- That congregation grew numerically and spiritually.
- If there is no adherence to God’s Word as only rule for faith and life, those outside will not pay attention to our confession.
- But if there is spiritual health as described in our text, then God will add to that local church!