Acts 2:42 ~ The Apostle's Teaching

Question 1: Should we view Acts 2:42 as the foundational text for the local church today?
Answer:
1.       Acts 2 is the founding of the first church. You would expect to see the foundational text on the local church when the church was founded.
2.       The apostles were the elders of this church. Of all people, they should have known what the emphasis of the church ought to be.
3.       Acts 2:42 implies that they devoted themselves to the Word, prayer, fellowship, and Lord’s Supper indefinitely. 
4.       If Acts 2:42 does not give us the marks of a biblical church, what other text(s) should we go to? Matthew 28:19-20 is written to the disciples.

Question 2: What is the content of the apostle’s teaching?
Answer:
1.       The content included the Old Testament.

• Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 had several Old Testament quotations.
• Christ on the road to Emmaus began with Moses and the prophets (Luke 24:26-27).
• Paul told the elders at Ephesus that he taught them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27).
• The New Testament was not even written at the founding of the church.

2.       Every sermon should point to a crucified Christ (1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 2:2).

• Even though preaching a crucified Christ is foolishness to the world (1 Corinthians 1:23).
• Preaching a crucified Christ is the primary method for the church corporately to evangelize the lost (1 Corinthians 1:21).

​Question 3: Where does the authority of preaching come from?
Answer:
1.       Not from persuasive speech (1 Corinthians 2:1, 3).
2.       Through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Question 4: What is the purpose of the apostle’s teaching?
Answer:
1.       All scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
2.       So that the man of God may be complete (2 Timothy 3:17).
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Question 5: What does it mean to be continually devoted to the apostle’s teaching?
Answer:
1.       To give attention to the public reading of scripture (1 Timothy 4:13).
2.       Faithfully preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-4).