WHAT EXACTLY IS THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE? They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles doctrine and to fellowship.... (Acts 2:42) Imagine a church of 120 members having a one-day revival which brought in 3,000 converts. Thats the situation the Jerusalem church was facing at sunset on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). And, since there was no manual for dealing with this, the apostles had to make it up as they went. They must have been loosely organized--no huge auditorium, no classroom buildings, and not even a ballfield on which to meet!--and we may assume the four activities listed: (1) apostles teachings 2) fellowship 3) breaking of bread and 4) prayer were done as they were able. Some of these early converts were leaving town, heading home after the feast days. Some who had planned to leave now decided to stay for a time and learn all they could before returning home. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. What does this mean? These people had no New Testament. But they had the next best thing--the Apostles. So, these who had followed Jesus for His entire ministry gathered the new believers into groups and spoke about who Jesus is, what He taught, what they saw Him do, and what it meant. They hung out together (fellowship) discussing, answering questions, and encouraging each other, as they prayed and worshiped. Thus, the Holy Spirit began preparing the apostles to write the Gospels. Eventually, Matthew (Levi), Mark (Peter), and John penned their remembrances of all Jesus began to do and teach. (Note: the early writers say John Marks gospel was dictated by Simon Peter.) One of the most remarkable aspects of the Christians life today is that we have--we literally hold in our hands--the story as it came from those apostles. In this respect, we are all second-generation Christians. (Imagine if the gospel had been taught only by word of mouth for all these generations. How corrupt it would be! But we have it straight from the eyewitnesses. How wonderful is that!) Moses once told Israel, What great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? (Deuteronomy 4:8) If they were blessed, we are doubly so!
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:08:14 +0000
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