Christian Growth

Acts. 2: 41 – 42

Seven steps of Christian GROWTH

“So those who received his word were baptized,

and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching

and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers”.

Introduction:

Why Christian GROWTH is Important?

1A. The Testimony of Jesus – LK. 2: 52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

2B. The Testimony of Ap. Paul – Eph. 4: 15

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him   who is the head, into Christ,

3C. The Testimony of Ap. Peter – 2 Ptr. 3: 18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To   him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

  II Cor. 13: 1

This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

TWO KINDS OF GROWTH:

A. Immediate Growth

B. Step by Step Growth

I. Acts 2: 41 – “those who received the word” – BORN AGAIN 

  1A. Does everyone have to be born again?

1. Jesus Commanded – Jn. 3: 3 – Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one   is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.
2. The examples of Apostles – wherever they went they   preached about – How to be Born Again

2B. The benefits of Born Again

1. With Father: removed the wrath of God

Jn. 3: 36 – Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not               see life, but the wrath of God   remains on him.

2. With Son: reconciled

2 Cor. 5: 18 – All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the                    ministry of reconciliation

3. With Holy Spirit: abiding of the Holy Spirit

1 Cor. 6: 19 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the 

Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.

II. Acts. 2: 41 – “were baptized” – BAPTISM

1A. The Word Baptism

        βαπτίζω  (baptizo) = to immerse, to dip

2B. The Meaning of Baptism

Outward expression of the inward change

3C. Kinds of Baptisms

1) Different OT Baptisms – Heb. 6: 1-4

2) Baptism of Repentance – Matt. 3: 6, 11 –  By John the Baptist

3) Spirit Baptism – I Cor. 12: 12 – 13

4) Baptism by Fire – Matt. 3: 11

5) Baptism for the Dead – I Cor. 15: 29

4D. Importance of Baptism

1) This is the command from the Lord – Matt. 28: 19

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing   them in the name of the   Father and                   of the Son and of the   Holy Spirit,

2) The model of the Apostles – Act. 8: 12; 9: 18

But when they believed Philip as he preached good   news about the kingdom of God and                      the name of Jesus   Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

3) Identifying the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ –  Rom. 6: 1- 6

4) To Put on Christ – Gal. 3: 27

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on   Christ.

5) Proclaiming the love of Christ – Jn. 14: 21, 23

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who   loves me. And he who loves me                   will be loved by my Father, and I   will love him and manifest myself to him.“

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word,   and my Father will love him,                     and we will come to him and make   our home with him.

5E. Who must take Baptism ?

1) Act. 2: 41 – Those who received the Word

2) Act. 8: 36 – 40 – they must believe

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to                         him.

            36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water!                         What prevents me from being baptized?”

           37 [1And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and                       said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

           38 And he ordered the 1chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as                     the eunuch, and he baptized him.

            39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the                         eunuch no longer saw him, 1but went on his way rejoicing.

3) Act. 16: 31- 34 – Believed

6F. When did we take Baptism?

1) Act. 9: 18 – And immediately something like scales   fell from his eyes, and he regained his

sight. Then he rose   and was baptized;

2) Act. 10: 44 – 48 – Gentiles

3) Act. 16: 33 – And he took them the same hour of the   night and   washed their wounds; and                       he was baptized at   once, he and all his family.

III. Acts. 2: 41 – “and there were added that day about three thousand souls”. CHURCH

1A. The Word Church –  ἐκκλησία( ekklesia)

EK = Out

Kaleo = Called

Ekklesia mean called out

2B. Kinds of Churches

-Universal

-Local

3C. The purpose of the Church

-To have fellowship – Rom. 12: 5 – so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually                   members one of another.

-To prepare for God’s Service – Acts 4: 11 – 12

IV. Acts 2: 42 – And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching – BIBLE STUDY

1A. Why should we study the Bible

-To Know the Scripture – Acts 17: 11 –

-To hand over faithfully – 2 Tim 2: 2

2B. What are the benefits of studying the Word

-Our Faith will increase – Colo. 2: 7

-New Knowledge – 2 Ptr. 3: 14 – 18

V. Acts 2: 42 – the fellowship – FELLOWSHIP

1A. The word

-Κοινωνία (Koinonia ) = fellowship/  partnership

     2B. produces our cooperation in God’s worship, God’s   work, and God’s will being done in the world

3C. The benefits of Fellowship

Unity, Growth and Peace.

VI. Acts 2: 42 – to the breaking of bread – Lord’s Supper

1A. Why do we conduct Lord’s Supper

-Jesus Commanded – LK. 22: 19 – 20

-To remember what Jesus did for us – I Cor. 11: 23 –

2B. Who can participate from the Lord’s Supper

only – Born Again and Baptized and walk in light

VII. Acts 2: 42 – the prayers/ earnest prayer – PRAYER

1A. What is Prayer: Two-way communication

2B. Why do we pray?

-To serve others – Acts 12: 5

-To have spiritual strength – Acts 4: 31.

Acts. 2: 41 – 42

So those who received his word – BORN AGAIN

were baptized, – BAPTISM

and there were added that day about three thousand souls.- CHURCH

 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching – BIBLE STUDY

and the fellowship, – FELLOWSHIP

to the breaking of bread – LORD’S SUPPER

and the prayers. – PRAYER.