The Pattern of Discipleship
Disciples personally respond to Christ in repentance and faith, obey His command to be baptized, and are vital members of a local church.
Acts 2:36-47
The Great Reversal
Easter celebrates the Great Reversal, when God overruled the wicked decision of humanity to reject and crucify Jesus, raising Him from the dead so that life has swallowed up death for all who trust in Him.
Acts 2:22-24
Life Is Better Together!
The Church is called to be a community that worships together, shares life together, and is on mission together.
Acts 2:42-47
God Our Redeemer
Question 24: Why must the Redeemer be truly, fully God?
The Redeemer must be truly, fully God so that His obedience and suffering would be of infinite value, He would be able to bear the full wrath of God against sin, and overcome Satan and death.
Acts 20:28; Colossians 2:13–15
Disciples, Water Baptism, and the Local Church
Disciples are those who have personally responded to Christ in repentance and faith, obey His command to be baptized, and are vital members of a local church.
Acts 2:36-47
The Church – The Community of Worship
Question 71: Are Christians only called to be part of the universal Church?
Worship is the assembly of the local church where God speaks to us through His Word, meets and strengthens us in the sacraments, and we respond as a community in spoken and sung prayers.
Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:16
The Church – Universal and Local
Question 71: Are Christians only called to be part of the universal Church?
All Christians are called to be part of local churches where they are led and cared for by elders, worship God, learn the Scripture, receive the sacraments, pray together, serve one another, and carry out the Great Commission together.
1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Acts 14:23
The Church – The Community of Believers
Question 69: Does God call you to live the Christian life by yourself?
The Church is the community of those who have personally responded to the Gospel, gather for worship, and care for one another.
Acts 2:36-47
Racism, The Image of God, and the Gospel
All humans are descended from Adam and are the image of God, but there are many different ethnic groups, and God is calling us to overcome the sinful tendency to separate and to come together so that the Gospel might flourish in our area.
Acts 17:26-28
Empowered By the Spirit
We are to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, Who empowers us for the mission of God in the earth today.
Acts 1:8
Disciples Connect With Others
Disciples are part of God’s people and work to connect with others in vital relationships in their local church.
Acts 2:46-47
Water Baptism – The Initial Act of Obedient Faith
Water baptism is the initial act of an obedient faith response to the Gospel, the beginning of a life of obedience to God.
Acts 2:36-41
The Price of Mission:Suffering and Sacrifice
God calls His people to suffer and sacrifice in order to penetrate new areas with the Gospel.
Acts 9:15-16
The Strategy of Mission:From Here to the Ends of the Earth
Our mission strategy is to be empowered by the Spirit for involvement and support in evangelism and mercy ministry, at home and abroad, to both reached and unreached people groups.
Acts 1:8
All In: The Church On Mission
The church is empowered by the Spirit for our mission of testifying to Jesus and the Gospel, both locally and around the world.
Acts 1:8
A Growing, Vibrant Church
The church becomes vibrant and grows as each person uses their gifts and calling to serve others for Christ.
Acts 6:1-7
Called To the Church
When Christ calls us through the Gospel, He calls us into local churches where we can be protected, strengthened and equipped by those whom Christ has saved and called to be leaders in the church. NOTE: THE LAST 20 MINUTES IS AN ORDINATION CEREMONY.
Acts 14:21-23
A Thriving Future
The book of Acts closes with a bold, unhindered proclamation of the Gospel – in spite of all the oppositions of Satan and the world – which guarantees a glorious thriving future for the Church and the kingdom of God.
Acts 28:30-31
Thriving Through Persecution
God is on a mission to glorify the name of His Son, Jesus. There are times that God has chosen to use persecution to ensure that the gospel of His Son goes forth and that His Church thrives.
Acts 8:1-8
A Thriving Growth
Luke describes the early church as thriving with continuous growth as it is strengthened by the Spirit through the means of grace to fulfill the Great Commission – even in the face of severe opposition.
Acts 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20
A Thriving Outreach
A look at the outreach of the church to Gentiles.
Acts 10:30-35, 39-48a
NOTE: Due to a technical problem this teaching was not recorded.
A Thriving Union
As Paul learned on the road to Damascus, we thrive not through our own righteousness, but because we have a vital unity with Christ and His Church.
Acts 9:1-6
Thriving By the Power of the Gospel
The Church exists because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And, the primary means by which it continues to thrive is the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:1-12
A Thriving Community
A thriving church is a true community, centered on Christ, awed by God’s power, showing practical love, living life together, and experiencing God’s favor.
Acts 2:42-47
A Thriving Spirituality
As the church, we thrive only by the grace of God which we experience through the means of grace. Therefore we must embrace and intentionally seek to cultivate that grace in our lives as part of the church.
Acts 2:36-42