The Christian Life Faith Repentance Baptism o i

The Christian Life Faith – Repentance – Baptism o i t ic ns s l fl ia f r T A Beginning of Christian Life Joy c a rt ea H s e h Peace Cr a e b ss o Hope g n ri s n e d r u B Heaven “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. ” (Acts 14: 22).

Sufferings of Paul Are they servants of Christ? --I speak as if insane--I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches (2 Cor. 11: 23 -28).

Paul’s Attitude & Reward For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4: 17). For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Tim. 4: 6 -8).

Jesus Knows Our Troubles I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary (Rev. 2: 2 -3). I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2: 9). He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2: 11).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Sincere – Of One heart And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them (Acts 4: 32). Sacrificial Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need (Acts 4: 34 -35).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Pleasing God Came First But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. ” (Acts 4: 19 -20). But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. ” (Acts 5: 29). And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5: 4041).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians “DO” Attitude Go therefore and make disciples…(Matthew 28: 19) Go and do likewise… (Luke 10: 37) Do unto others… (Matthew 7: 12) We must work the works of Him who sent Me… (John 9: 4) Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8: 4).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians What caused this “DO” Attitude? Gospel Taught – Acts 2: 14 -41; 4: 4; 5: 14; 5: 42; Rom. 10: 17 Taught Daily – Acts 5: 42 Result: Daily Additions – Acts 2: 47 Taught Everywhere – Filled Jerusalem – Acts 5: 28, 42 Persistent – Acts 5: 42 – “Ceased not to preach…” Turned World Upside Down – Acts 17: 6; 20: 20 Word Taught by Every Christian – Acts 8: 4

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Opposed Error I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars (Rev. 2: 2) And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. ” Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question (Acts 15: 1 -2).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Did Not Compromise with Error … we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you (Gal. 2: 4 -5). Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all… (Gal. 2: 11 -14).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Tested the spirits Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4: 1). I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars (Rev. 2: 2). These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17: 11).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Had Changed Lives For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess. 1: 9). Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6: 9 -11).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Had Changed Lives If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (Col. 3: 1 -5).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians Energetic – Not “Pew Warmers” And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2: 42). So continuing daily with one accord in the temple… (Acts 2: 46). And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ (Acts 5: 42). But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19: 9).

The Character of 1 st Century Christians No Where Else to go From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away? ” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ” (John 6: 66 -68).

The Spirit and Character of First Century Christians Sincere Opposed Error Changed lives Not Pew-Warmers

Baptism: A Burial In Water Romans 6: 3 -4 Dead In Sin Raised To New Life Buried In Baptism Death – Burial -- Resurrection “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. “