True Conversion: Earmarked By a Desire to Tell Others Andrew: “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’"

When The

Church Grew

True Conversion: Earmarked By a Desire to Tell Others

• Andrew: “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’"... (John 1:41)

• Gadarene Man: “he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” (Luke 8:39)

• Saul (Paul): “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)

• Others: “the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region." (Acts 13:49)

The Church Grew While Persecuted

Principle: Darkness Hates Light:"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men

loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For

everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that

his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." (John

3:19-21 NKJV)

The Church Grew In Spite of Persecution

• Pentecost: “about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41)

• “the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” (Acts 4:4)

• And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, (Acts 5:14 NKJV)

• Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)

• “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria …were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31)

Speaking the Truth Involves Getting Some Upset With You!

(Romans 12:18) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live

peaceably with all men. (NKJV)

(Ephesians 4:15) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all

things into Him who is the head--Christ-- (NKJV)

Speaking the Truth Involves Debating False Teachers

(Jude 1:3-4) Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation,

I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for

the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men,

who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God

and our Lord Jesus Christ.

No Need to Look For Trouble:Persecutors Will Find You

• (Mat. 9:32) Jesus doing good, casting out demons and Pharisees attack (Mat. 9:34)

• (Mat. 12Pharisees :22) Jesus heals a blind and mute man; accuse Jesus of casting out demons by “Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

• (Mat. 19:2) Jesus healing; Pharisees come to test Him• (Acts 5:12-16) Apostles healing and casting out

demons; (Acts 5:17-18) Thrown into prison; Sanhedrin determines to kill them (Acts 5:33); Decides to beat them and let them go (Acts 5:40)

• Stephen spoke with wisdom beyond refute (Acts 6:10); Men told lies about him, stirring up the crowd (Acts 6:11-12); Preached truth to the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:1-53); Stephen stoned (Acts 7:54-60)

• Others…

Truth Sometimes Offends

(Matthew 15:11-12) "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know

that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"

(NKJV)

Sources of Opposition:

(Acts 20:29-30) "For I know this, that after my

departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing

the flock. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after

themselves. (NKJV)

Examining the Quality of 1st Century Converts

Bold Faith:• And with great power the

apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus... (Acts 4:33) ”

• Paul: “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:20)

Care and Concern For Each Other:• “Now all who believed …had all things in

common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need…breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:44-46)

• “…the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32)


Care and Concern For Each Other:• “…the disciples, each according to

his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. (Acts 11:29)

• “…concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you” (2 Corinthians 9:1)

• “…even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.” (Philippians 4:16)



Genuine Love & Concern:• Ephesians: “Then they all wept

freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him” (Acts 20:37)


Prayer Meetings In Their Homes:• “…he came to the house of

Mary…where many were gathered together praying.” (Acts 12:12)


Worshippers Hungry For the Word:• “…on the first day of the week,

when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul…spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. (Acts 20:7)


Honest Students of the Word:• Bereans: “…fair-minded …they

received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

• “…they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine…” (Acts 2:42 NKJV)


They Spread the Word:• “…At that time a great persecution

arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles…Saul…made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:1-4)

Disingenuous People Had Little Interest in the Persecuted Church

(Matthew 19:29) "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or

father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

(NKJV)

(2 Timothy 4:10) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--

Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. (NKJV)

Contending For the Truth: Helps us to Recognize Those Approved

(1 Corinthians 11:19) For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized

among you. (NKJV)

Documents

True Conversion: Earmarked By a Desire to Tell Others Andrew: “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’"