CE 1 YEAR: 33 Sunday Worship

Week 33

Sunday Worship

What is the church and what does it do?

The word “church” in the NT comes from the Greek word ecclesia. It basically means a gathering of people with shared beliefs. The word “church” is used in two ways in the NT. It refers to the world-wide church of all believers (Matt 16:18; Acts 9:31; Eph 1:22-23; 2:19-21). It also refers to the local church (Matt 18:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 11:18; 1 Thess 1:1). All Christians belong to Christ’s body and church because they have been “baptized” by the Spirit (1 Cor 12:13). But to be practically connected to Christ, you need to be part of the local church. This is where the “body of Christ” works together to accomplish His will (1 Cor 12:12-31).

The Christian “church” began on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Christ rose from the dead (Acts 2:1). The Apostle Peter preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ and 3,000 people believed and were baptized (Acts 2:41). This was the first church.

The early Christians, “worshiped together at the Temple each day” and “met in homes” regularly (Acts 2:46). They had both a large formal meeting (church service) and smaller home meetings. The large gathering at the temple soon became a Sunday church service in the early Church. And as Christianity spread, the early Christians started local churches led by godly Pastors.

The first word used to describe the first Christians is “devoted.” What practices were the first Christians “devoted” to as an example to us? Acts 2:41 tells us that all the believers were baptized. This was a commitment of Christians from the very beginning. Baptism was discussed in Week 4 of the Essentials study.

Acts 2:42-47 describes seven other habits of the early Christians, including: 1) learning and obeying the Apostles’ teaching; 2) the Lord’s Supper; 3) fellowship; 4) prayer; 5) praising; 6) giving; and 7) evangelism. The first Christians gave us an example of Authentic Christianity. Every Christian should strive to follow their example.

We will discuss the ministry of teaching and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper this week. In the following weeks we will discuss the other practices of the early Christians and how they apply to us today.

They were devoted to teaching and learning God’s word

The first believers were devoted to hearing the Apostles teach the Bible (Acts 2:42). God never intended His people to learn His word alone. This is why God provides pastors and teachers in the local church (Eph 4:11-13). Their purpose is to equip and edify the believers so they will spiritually grow and serve Christ. They will also protect you from harmful false teachings about the Bible.

The Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus) are devoted to instructing church leaders on their priorities (1 Tim 3:14-15). Accordingly, when the Apostle Paul described what church leaders should be devoted to, he mentions teaching over 50 times in these letters. In the Apostle’s mind, there was nothing more vital to the spiritual growth and health of Christians than the accurate teaching of God’s word. God gives the church pastors and teachers because Christians need them. A Christian who does not have a good pastor or teacher will be hindered in their spiritual growth and service to Christ.

This is one reason a Christian should commit to attending Sunday service every week. As explained in Week 32, Christians need God’s word to spiritually grow (Matt 4:4; 1 Pet 2:2). A primary purpose of the Sunday service is to spiritually feed God’s people with God’s word. The first Christians were committed to learning the Bible from those gifted to teach them. This is an essential part of Authentic Christianity.

They were devoted to the Lord’s Supper

The first Christians devoted themselves to “the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42, 46). This refers to the practice instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He broke bread with His disciples (Matt 26:26-28). Later, the Apostle Paul referred to the practice as “the Lord’s Supper” (1 Cor 11:20-26).

As in the Last Supper, bread and wine are typically used for the Lord’s Supper as symbols of the body and blood of Christ that was sacrificed for our sins. Jesus said the primary purpose of the Lord’s Supper was to “remember me” (1 Cor 11:24). What does He want us to remember?

First, that He sacrificed His body and blood to pay for our sins (Matt 26:28). The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of the greatest demonstration of God’s love for us. He did not only proclaim our forgiveness, but He sent His Son to suffer and die for our forgiveness. When hardships and unanswered prayers are causing us to doubt God’s love, the Lord’s Supper reminds us God has clearly proven His love for us.

Secondly, the Lord’s Supper is a reminder that we are in a “new covenant” (1 Cor 11:25). You read about the vital differences between the old covenant and the new in Week 15. There you were encouraged to live under NT grace instead of OT law. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder that God’s love is now unconditional in the new covenant.

Thirdly, we are reminded that He is coming again (1 Cor 11:26). In fact, Jesus promised that we would celebrate the Lord’s Supper with Him again when He returns (Matt 26:29). The Lord’s Supper is not only a reminder of God’s love in the past. It is a reminder of the great hope we have in God’s love for the eternal future.

Why did Jesus give us a ceremony to remember these things? Because He knows how easily we forget them. Life gets so busy and hard that we lose our focus on God’s love and our future. Jesus wants the Lord’s Supper to regularly remind us of the most important things in our life.

Practical Application: Take a moment and think about what you appreciate about your local church. Who are the people that bless your life? How have the leaders helped you? Thank God for these things.

In your small group meeting this week, share praises and prayer requests and then discuss these questions:

1) What are the two ways that the word “church” is used in the NT?

2) Why does God want every Christian to be committed to a local church?

3) How have the gifted teachers in your church helped you to understand and obey the Bible better?

4) Why is the accurate teaching of God’s word so important?

5) What are at least three things that the Lord’s Supper is to remind us of? Why is it important to be reminded of these things?

6) What was especially meaningful to you in this chapter? Why?