We’ve(Brandon and Tia from La Via blog, and me) decided to build another blog intead of limiting this topic to one page. It would have been more like a book. Below are the questions that got us started; and we are still working on the posts/articles and adding them as we go. We are co-contributing in the writing. I will also post the ones I write on this blog. I will leave this page here with just questions and some of my references after we get the blog fully up and running. Here is The Way to our other blog.
- What aspects stand out about our example of how the assembly functions? Their selflessness, willingness to suffer, 1Cor 12-14, Col 3:16, Eph 5:19 Acts 2:42-47 Acts 17:11
- Where did they meet? In the public eye where they could be seen, at the temple, from house to house Acts 2:46 Acts 8:3 Acts 17:24,25 Acts 20:20
- How is this lived out or can be lived out today? Acts 7:48-50
- Who is really able to live like our first century brethren? Rom 12:1-18 Are there any hinderances to following their example? Excuses not to do it? Are we too busy, do we cherish our ‘private’ time? Pride? Instead of following the scriptures on how to meet , do we choose our place of fellowship because of the youth group, the programs, the music, the pastor, the cafe, the convenience, the non accountability during the week?
- Does God really call us to live like they did, even in the 21st century or was it just cultural? Were these things written just for them in the 1st century? 1Cor 1:2, Eph 1:1, 1 Thess 5:27, 2Pet 1:1, Jude 1:1, Rev 1:1-3, Rev 22:18 Acts 17:24,25
- Why would he call us to this type of life? Rom 8:28-30 Rom c12-c13 Philippians 3:7-21, 1Cor 9:24-27, 2 Thess 2:13-17 2Thess 1:3-12
- Other topics to consider:
- Loving one another, 3John 3-8, 1John3:14-16 , 1Pet 3:8-9, 1Pet1:22, James 5:19-20, James 2:1, Hebrews 3:12-14, 2Thess 1:3-5 1Thess 5:11-15, Gal 5:13-14
- the Lord’s supper/communion,
- finances-Acts 4:32-37 Acts 11:29-30
- material goods Acts 2:45-when there was a lack or need in the assembly, they voluntarily sold what they had to supply the need
- the children Acts 21:4-5 Matt 14:19-21Matt 18:1-6 Matt 19:13-15 Matt 15:16 Luke 1:17 Eph 4:14-16 Eph 6:1-4 1Thes 2:11-13 1Tim3:4-5 Prov 4 Neh 12:43 Neh 13:23-25
- spiritual gifts
My notes:
Act 2:42-47(our first example of how the assembly of disciples lived daily)
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Php 3:14-16 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
1Co 1:10-11 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Luk 8:19-21 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Act 4:32-37 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Act 7:48-50 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Act 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Act 17:24-25 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
