Acts 2:42
"On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow " (Part I)
Gospelcom Bible Gateway

⁴²And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

INTRODUCTION:

A. The Apostles' Doctrine "The description of it, the designation of it and the devotion to it." Peter quotes from the Old Testament so much because all the new believers were Jews. The Apostles comment on how the Old Testament fit into their lives. v2:15 "They're not drunk, but this is that what was spoken through the prophet Joel..." Peter quotes the Old Testament to build a case like a lawyer would. Then the people devoted themselves to the Apostles' Doctrine.

B. The book of Acts is our template, our model, our stencil of what the church should be like. Is this what my church is like, is this what my life is like?

C. Bold proclaimation of the gospel through evangelism. The church listened. Steadfast, continuing in their devotion. This is the mission statement of the first church. "apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer" these are a four fold priority.

1 Timothy 1, 2, 3, 4 "Some will depart from the faith..." "be an example to the believers..." Doctrine was a high priority in the early church.

I. The description of it

A. What does doctine mean?

B. What is the Apostles' Doctrine?

C. Are you continuing in the Apostles' Doctrine?

D. Is it more important to you how you feel about Scripture or the truth of Scripture?

E. Are you biblically illiterate?

F. How often are you reading God's Word? Jesus speaks fresh revelation of old truths through His Word. Sometimes we need a fresh application of old truths.

G. How do you fair when it comes to the Bible? What are your answers are like?

II. The designation of it

A. 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 12-16

1. Be an example in

a. word

b. conduct

c. love

d. spirit

e. faith

f. purity

2. Pay attention to

a. reading

b. exhortation

c. doctrine

B. How do you "fair" as issues are presented to you from the Bible?

III. The devotion to it

A. What's first on the list? The Apostles' Doctrine... this isn't last on the list, it's the first on the list. They devoted themselves continually to the Apostles' Doctrine.

B. There is coming a time that Christians will de-emphasize doctrine. Are we living in this time? What sorts of conversations have you been privy to with regard to this?

APPLICATION:

1. Give attention to reading, to doctrine.

2. Preach the Word, be ready to give an answer.

3. As Christians we can't neglect the 'asparagus', God gave us ALL the scriptures.

4. If you do not know, you will not grow. Grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

5. Pray for God to give you an appetite for His Word.

6. Cultivate a love for Scripture

A. Buy a Bible and carry it with you

B. Bring your Bible to church

C.Bring a note book, take note of scripture references, important points

D. Meditate on the scripture, sit and focus on one subject only

E. Tell someone what you learned

F. Memorize the scripture

G. Come to Wednesday nights, you need God's Word everyday

MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK:

ACTS 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.