The Church to Which the Lord Added

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Acts 2:42-47
Psalters: 229, 76, 277, 369
  1. What is this adding?
    1. First, the adding is being done to a local congregation.
    2. Second, the adding is being done by “the Lord.”
      1. This is the crucified, risen, and exalted Jesus Who sits at God’s right hand.
      2. It is most proper and necessary that the Lord does the adding to His church.
    3. How does the Lord Jesus cause the church to grow? Look at context of the chapter when 3000 were added.
      1. Two things involved: Spirit of Christ was just poured out and the church was active in Peter’s preaching.
      2. This clearly implies a very close relationship of the saving of men and church membership.
  2. Our text speaks of church growth at the end of a statement about the life of the church at Jerusalem (42-47a)
    1. Normally, the local church which grows has a healthy spiritual condition.
    2. The healthy spiritual condition of the local church consists of three things.
      1. First, there is a steadfast continuing in the apostles’ doctrine (teachings).
      2. Second, the church at Jerusalem was characterized by the fellowship of the members with each other.
      3. Third, the church was highly spiritual, for the “fear” of God was in every soul.
    3. That congregation grew numerically and spiritually.
      1. 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.
      2. But if there is spiritual health as described in our text, then God will add to that local church!