Blueprint for the Body of Christ
Acts 2:42-47
Pastor Cecil Lovelace
Introduction:
(1) The Builder of one Baptist church where I used to pastor had build many churches. All on the same plan. They all looked alike.
(2) We started to do some remodeling and discovered the rooms were several inches off square. I was told the builder had said, "I don’t need any blueprints, I can build it with my eyes closed." He must have!
(3) If you use the same blueprints all would be alike. Go from memory, and the building won’t even resemble the original.
(4) The average church of today doesn’t resemble the early church. What began in a flame of fire is ending in a fizzle of faithlessness. This is not a "blanket statement" but I am referring to the church today as a whole.
(5) Acts 2:42-47 gives us a blueprint for the NT church. I believe if we read it and go by it we can’t go wrong. Let’s examine it together.
Now, the key phrase to it all is in verse 42: "And they continued steadfastly..." There were some things they continued steadfastly in... adhered to... refused to vary from. These four things are still necessary today if we want to see God bless. Note with me:
I. THERE MUST BE INDOCTRINATION OF THE BODY. V-42
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine..." They continued to follow the teachings of the apostles. All taught the same thing. Every church member needs to be taught the basic doctrines of the scripture.
A. This doctrine needs to be detailed.
(1) About heaven, hell.
(2) About sin, righteousness.
(3) About the virgin birth the atonement for sin.
B. This doctrine should be consistent.
(1) They continued with the same sound doctrine.
(2) Often it’s man’s ideas that get taught. We need God’s word, not man’s ideas!
Not only should there be indoctrination of the body but:
II. THERE MUST BE INFUSION OF THE BODY. V-42 This happens through fellowship. "And they continued stedfastly in ......fellowship..," I use the word "infuse" because it means to pour in or to mix together. Webster points to a tea bag put in hot water. It "extracts" the flavor, the color, and qualities into the water. When a new member enters the body:
A. Note what they give.
(1) Each gives all their qualities.. Every-thing they are is infused or mixed into that body of believers.
(2) As we fellowship and share, we give of ourselves to each other.
(3) You contribute your smile, disposition, abilities... they all become part of the body. Unfortunately the bad comes with the good. You get all of ME!
B. Note what they gain.
That person who enters into the fellowship of believers is exposed to everything already in the body.
(1) We all share. What we are rubs off on each other to a point.
(2) But this happens through fellowship. The word "fellowship" literally means to "participate."
(3) Everyone needs to participate in fellowship. Take part in meals... cookouts... special services. YOU are PART of the body! But, you’ll never become part of the mix without the fellowship.
In addition to the indoctrination of the body and the infusion of the body, there must thirdly be:
III. THE INTIMACY OF THE BODY. V-42
"And they continued stedfastly in .. breaking of bread..,"
There is a question as to the exact meaning here but two things have been supposed and bring a certain amount of intimacy or closeness in the body of Christ.
A. It could mean a meal. V-42;46 In V-46 it says they were, "breaking bread from house to house."
(1) Some believe they were sharing meals in homes. That brings about a closeness. Nothing wrong with that.
(2) Some believe they had a meal followed by the Lord’s Supper. This was often referred to as "love feasts." I Cor. 11.
B. It could have just been the Lord’s Supper.
(1) Communion brings closeness, a certain "intimacy" in the congregation. It is a solemn time... a time of reverence.
(2) It should be shared by the entire body. It’s a time of self examination.
So, in the Biblical Blueprint for the Body of Christ, we see: The indoctrination of the body; the infusion of the body; the intimacy of the body; and finally:
IV. THE INSULATION OF THE BODY. V-42
"And they continued stedfastly in ..prayers." They insulated themselves with prayer. One of the greatest mistakes we make as a church or individual is failing to cover ourselves with prayer!
Prayer becomes that insulation and protection from the attacks of Satan on your life and the life of the church.
When we fail in our prayer life, we open ourselves to the attacks of Satan on every hand.
A. We need to cover our homes and families with prayer.
(1) Pray daily for the children. For their salvation, protection, future spouse!
(2) Pray daily for your marriage. Pray for your spouse as they go to work, for strength and spiritual guidance.
B. We need to cover our church with prayer.
(1) We need a prayer ministry for families. To pray for the parents, kids, marriages.
(2) We need a prayer ministry for the deacons. To pray for them to have God’s hand on them.
(3) We need a prayer ministry for church leaders; teachers; choir.
CONCLUSION:
These verses give us a picture of the biblical Blueprint for the NT Church. The one God poured out his blessings on. God can do it again!
I. The indoctrination of the body.
II. The infusion of the body.
III. The intimacy of the Body.
IV. The insulation of the body.
