When early believers placed their faith in the Lord Jesus, they were joined by God to one another as well as to Him. “Together” was the word used to describe them (Acts 2:44,46). Fellow believers need one another just as we need the Lord Jesus. We need to live and share our life in Him. As the family of God, we are a spiritual community. Each one of us is a part, or member, of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). This is true in a sense that involves all believers everywhere. It is also intended to be expressed in local church fellowships.
1. When the people were saved and baptized, to what were they added? (Acts 2:41) Why was this so, in your opinion?
2. What were the four primary things early believers did together? (Acts 2:42)
3. On what day did the believers meet and what did they always do at their meetings? (Acts 20:7)
4. Believers are collectively called the
church, a word meaning “those called out.” In what way were they called out? (1 Peter 2:9)
5. The church was often called by the name of the town. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 1:1, what is the name of the church?
6. Groups of local churches were called by the name of the province (or state) where they were located. In Galatians 1:22, what were they called?
7. Who is the Head of the church? (Ephesians 5:23)
8. What are the local church leaders called? (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5)
9. What attitude should members of the church have toward the leaders? What responsibilities do the leaders of the church have? (Hebrews 13:17)
10. What warning is given to Christians in Hebrews 10:25? Why is this warning necessary?
Ask yourself these questions:
When did you become a part of a local church fellowship after you were saved and baptized?
In what practical way are you functioning in that fellowship?
How can you more specifically improve that function?
Review Romans 10:9; 1 John 5:13; Acts 2:41; Matthew 28:19; Joshua 1:8; Mark 1:35; Matthew 7:7; John 10:10b; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 6:46
Memorize Acts 2:42, “And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”