1) Acts 12:1-3 – READ
a) A first century ruler was very aware of Christ’s church.
b) Herod the king was familiar with the church established by Christ.
2) At the close of last week’s lesson we pointed out how the church is for all people.
a) Paul said Jews and Gentiles are welcome in Christ’s church.
b) God’s will is that slaves and non-slaves are to be part of the one spiritual body created by Christ.
3) As some hear what the Bible says about the church, they will not be pleased by what is said.
a) The ruler in Acts 12 was certainly not pleased that Christ had built His church.
b) Luke tells this official tried to persecute the members of Christ’s spiritual body.
c) The word “church” in Acts 12 suggests we are to stand up for Christ.
d) We never have a basis for being unkind, but we need to stand up and be heard.
IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE TO STAND UP FOR CHRIST AS A MEMBER OF HIS CHURCH.
1) In verse 5 we have the word “church” being used once again – READ
2) Peter was imprisoned for his Christianity and the church (God’s people) prayed for him.
3) In Acts 12 the words “prayer” and “church” go together.
4) In Acts 12 we find that the entire congregation we are a member of may pray for us.
5) Verse 5 tells us about “earnest” (passionate) prayer was made by the church.
6) The word “church” tells us we can be part of a body of people that truly cares for one another.
PRAYER IS NECESSARY, BUT THE CHURCH ALSO NEEDS WORKERS.
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2) One of the big things associated with the New Testament church is teaching.
a) Imagine what the schools in our county would be like if there were no teachers.
b) What if children came to class, but there would be no one to instruct them?
3) Local congregations need teachers.
a) If we cannot or do not want to teach, there are other things we can do in the church.
b) Manual efforts like cleaning the baptistery need done.
c) There are sick people to contact or take food to. Shut-ins need to be visited.
d) Discouraged people need some comforting words.
ACTS 14:23.
a) Here we read about “elders” being appointed in every congregation.
b) God has set up local leadership for congregations of Christ’s church and this leadership comes from elders.
2) Right after Acts 14:23 we find the word “church” being used once again in verse 27 – READ
a) In Acts 13:1-4 we are told how Christians left Antioch and went to Asia Minor to preach.
b) When these Christians returned to Antioch (Acts 14), they gave a report to the church.
c) The church built by Christ is to be an organization focused on saving lost souls.
3) If we wish to be a member of Christ’s church, evangelism needs to be something we regularly strive to do.
4) By next Sunday we should have a new card to distribute to people in our community.
5) The word “church” is used in Acts 16:5 and there it is said this organization increased “daily.”
6) In both “faith and number” the church of Christ was increasing.
