The Place of God’s Word in The Life of the Early Church by Koh Gim Lam dated 30.6.13

Introduction

There are two important “legs” in spreading God’s Word: a) evangelism b) supported by God’s Word.  Bro. Koh related that recently he managed to get together with his friends from a few decades ago while they were students and found that till these days, the majority of them are serving God in one way or another.  This was because all of them were grounded in the Words of God.

In the Book of Acts we can learn how God’s Words were spread.  Act 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1.     The Church in Jerusalem

How did the disciples spread God’s Words? Act 2:42 – the example of early church they were “devoted” to the Words.  Acts 4:29-30 – it was not for safety but enablement to speak boldly.  The illustration was that they were in love with the writer ( God ).  Bro Koh shared a story of a sister asking him recently how can she instill in her son the love of God’s Words.  After thinking for a day, Bro Koh told her it was impossible.  This sister was disappointed.  Bro Koh explained that her son must love the writer (God) first, and the love of His Words will follow.

Acts 6:24 – the ministry of the Word is important.  As a Church grows bigger problems are bound to happen, this is where grounding of the Word will help the church to go forward.

Summary

Acts 6:7 – “so the Word of God spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly…”

2.       From Jerusalem to Samaria

Acts & - the martyrdom of Stephen.  Acts 8:4 – preach, Acts 8:25 – proclaimed the Word, Acts 8:35 – open the Scriptures, Acts 9 – the conversion of Paul.

Summary

Acts 9:31

“grew in number living in the fear of the Lord.” (NIV)

“being built up growing in the fear of the Lord” (NASB)

3.        Moving to the rest of the world

Acts 10 – the conversion of Cornelius

Acts 11:1 – “the gentiles also had received the word of God”

Acts 11:23-26 – Barnabas and Saul taught great number of people

Acts 12:24 – 1^st summary of the mission to the gentile in Antioch

“But the Word of God continued to increase and spread”

Acts 13 – Barnabas and Paul first missionary journey

Acts 13:48-49 – The summary

Acts 19:20 – the summary of the mission to the gentiles

Closing Chapters of Acts

Paul was faithfully teaching the Word of God.

Acts 20:20, 27, 32

Acts 28:31

Closing

The Book of Acts is open ended.  What about the First Baptist Church?  Bro. Koh challenged our church to emulate the church in the Book of Acts.