A. What made this new entity different? (Acts 2:42-47)

1. They listened to the Apostles teaching and practiced it.
   All that believed were eager to hear more of this new life, its fundamentals and its application.
   They were in no hurry to leave, like many today who are more concerned for time than the message.
   People will hear a mesage today and leave, forgetting what they've heard.
2. They maintained a sense of community together by sharing meals and fellowship.
   A Christian community had been formed and they, being like-minded, enjoyed being with each other regularly for meals and fellowship.
   That was important to them. Is it important to us, today?
3. They worshiped God with praise.
   When they worshipped the Lord it was with joy and praise.
   Most worship services today are more like funerals than an expression of love, joy in the Lord and praise to our God.
4. They demonstrated their new lifestyle by sharing what they had with others.
   As a new family in the Lord, their concern was that no one lacked anything that was needful.
   Loving one another involved sharing with one another and they joyed in that. DO we?
5. They cared for each other�s needs.
   When one of their number had a special need, they met in prayer and did all they could to help meet that need.
   God works through His people, thereby manifesting Himself to others.
   Many feel that the government or some other entity is there to provide these needs. How do you feel about helping others?

The power of this new life was about to reveal Himself in the believers. (Acts1:8) �You shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me.� The key to this account in Scripture is not the cripple�s helplessness, not even the miracle that resulted. It was in what Peter said, �Such as I have.� The Apostle�s and disciples were in possession of a new power, the Power of God. They were in possession of something more valuable and powerful than silver and gold.

The story goes as St Thomas met with Pope Innocent IV as the pontiff was counting a large sum of money.
The Holy See said, You see, Thomas, no more can we say silver and gold have I none!
Thomas, dwelling on what was said responded, "Neither can we say, Rise up and walk!!"
This cripple was expecting to receive a gift of money or the like, assuming that would help him. But Peter said in so many words, �What you are asking for, I don�t have because it is not important, but what I do have I give to you freely. �Stand up and live.� This new power was to be used as a spiritual force, not a natural one. This is how the infant church would exert its greatest influence.
Peter responded to the people's amazement by asking, "Why are you so amazed or surprised at what was done, as if we were something special
or so good and righteous. It was through the name of Jesus and faith in His name that this man is made whole."
Many today pray for spectacular Christianity rather than spiritual Christianity. The infant church was not about to start a new Social Service program to relieve economic distress in Jerusalem, nor was it about to heal all the sick through a city-wide healing campaign. It was not about all that, although that is what people want to think and focus on. They find it easier to crusade than to repent, easier to write congress than to pray. People find it easier to clean up the slums than to clean up the heart. This power was to WITNESS and that is what the young church did. The one gift that is given to every believer, is the ability to witness.

B. What did the early church have?

1. A Body of Believers. All who had experienced Christ established unity among themselves. They assembled together to praise, share and pray. They practiced the love of God.
2. A Message. The message was Jesus Christ and resurrection from the dead through Him. This really bothered the religious folk of that day who felt this this message hindered their religious ways. Much like today.
3. A Method. �Ye shall be witnesses unto me� a tried and true method that has caused the church to grow, upset Judaism, the Roman Empire, and rapidly spread throughout the world. Today we have become too organized, to bent on the spectacular, to humanistic and have relegated to preaching of the Gospel of Christ to the clergy. The ability for individual witness has been replaced with a man-made religious system.
4. A Power. The Holy Spirit in their lives. This power would accomplish more than all the wealth and religious organization in the world. This power would truly change lives. The world has a way of reducing people to slaves to its system. Being totally dependent on what it has to offer. We become crippled and weak, like the lame man at the gate who was looked on with pity by all who saw him. The world looks on the less fortunate with disgust and mockery. Such is the way it views the church today because we have failed to release and use the power that dwells within us.
5. A Purpose. �Go ye into all the world and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.� The early church had a purpose. Prov. 29:18, Where there is no revelation (of the Word of God), the people cast off restraint;(don�t restraint themselves) but he that keepeth the law (obeys the Word of God), happy is he. The early church had a purpose, not to make themselves look good but for the benefit of others. That others may be able to experience the new life. What is our purpose today? Are we merely satisfied to attend services once or twice a week, assigning the responsibilty to the pastors saying,
   "That's their job"? Are we not to continue the work of the Lord?
   If we today, will take the MESSAGE received, using the METHOD presented, with the POWER available to us, we will accomplish the PURPOSE of the church.

   �Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.� 1 Cor.15:58

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