Studies by Book
03 Acts 2 42-47 THE BUILDING UP OF HIS CHURCH 01 Acts 02 42 The doctrine of God
📖 Acts 02:42-47
01 – 17Oct2022 – *The doctrine of God* - _Acts 02:42-47_ - THE BUILDING UP OF HIS CHURCH - Bible reading: _Ephesians 2:19-22_
Lord Jesus, we commit ourselves to Your loving hands for it is so important for us to be rooted in You. It is in Your church that we receive the nurture of Your word to be built up in You. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”
Friends we have completed the study of _Acts 02:14-41_, which we had titled, PETER’S MESSAGE TO THE JEWS FROM ALL NATIONS. We now begin the next study, which is _Acts 02:42-47_. We will title this study, THE BUILDING UP OF HIS CHURCH.
A powerful move of God took place and about 3000 people were saved and were now in the habitat of God. We understood that there is power in the Gospel. We also understood that we are part of the message of the Gospel.
As we go further in Chapter 2, as see that the life of the church begins. *_Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers._*
*Why is it critical to be built up as His church, in the doctrine of God?*
People must have the root in themselves so that they will be nourished by God, bear fruit and multiply themselves into many more fruit bearers. There is a danger if those who believe are not built up in the doctrine of God. The danger is that if they are not rooted and when difficulties arise, they stumble. The church is the place for the deepening of the roots in the lives of every believer in Christ.
_Mark 4:16-17 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (17) and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble._
It is in the church that people grow into the full maturity and stature of Christ. *_Ephesians 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;_*
Apostle Paul was deeply mindful that people must be built into the image of Jesus. To this end, he laboured. _Colossians 1:27-29 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (28) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (29) To this end I also labour, striving according to His working which works in me mightily._
He even uses the expression of the pain of childbirth, in bringing people into the fullness of Christ. _Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
The church must demonstrate oneness to bring others to faith in Christ. _Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that *you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel*,_
The doctrine of God is the will of God. Therefore, the teaching that is given in His church is for the people to be built up in the will of God. *_John 7:17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority._*
The word of God is the doctrine of God and is also the will of God. *_James 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures._*
As the church, comprising of disciples of Christ, we must be built up in His word. _John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, *"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed*._
The church is the place where people are taken into the depths of His word so that the church will be equipped for every good work. _II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work._
The church is that habitation of God. It is this building up in the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets that His church becomes the dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
_Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and *members of the household of God, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone*, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, *grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit*._
```We must continue steadfastly, as His church, in the doctrine of God.```