Charting and following the 4 Pillars through Acts...sermon post

 


As we go through the Acts of the Apostles, I have been on the look out for the 4 pillars of the first century church and also those first converts to Christianity.  We are introduced to them in Acts 2:42.  The new converts and collective church were devoted to the:  1) teaching of the apostles, 2) fellowship of the family of God, 3) worship of God, and 4) prayers.  The by-product of the 4 pillars is service to one another.  These 4 pillars are actually stated again in Acts 2:46-47.  This response comes after Peter's opening sermon on the Day of Pentecost and it is in light of the new Christians and church "having favor with all the people."

The next time they appear is in Acts 3:27-34.  The church is gathered for prayer; the prayer includes worship of God; it is stated they were of one heart and soul; and the testimony of the apostles was increasing in power.  The by-product of service is stated with "there was not a needy person among them."  This siting of the 4 pillars follows not favor with all the people but actually trials and persecution from the some important leadership of the day.  Good or bad, the 1st century church and Christians held to these 4 pillars.  

I am going to continue to look for these pillars as I go through the Acts of the Apostles.  I am also going to strive to follow through on being devoted in these areas so that my service will be a genuine worship of God. 

In the sermon this week, sin has slipped into the church and God acts swiftly to purge His church of Ananias and Sapphire's scheme to serve two masters.  Walking in and being carried out caused pause from some joining up but for others it fueled their faith to bring others to be healed in the name of Jesus.  These physical healings gave opportunity to speak of the spiritual healing that only come in the name of Jesus.  

We typically don't think of greater spiritual growth with the exposing or confessing of sin.  We tend to hide our sin thinking we will escape the consequences or that it won't affect those around us.  God shows us again that His ways are higher than our ways.  For the Christian, there is only one thing to do with sin and that is to repent of it.  Repenting might involve us experiencing consequences for what was done wrong but trust God that those who seek first His kingdom, His way, will receive all that they need.

Pastor Adam






A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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