The Fellowship of Believers
Acts 2:42-47
42 And they (1) continued stedfastly in the (2) apostles’ doctrine and (3) fellowship, and in (4) breaking of bread, and in (5) prayers.43 And fear came upon every soul: and (6) many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed (7) were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, (8) continuing daily with one accord (9) in the temple, and (10) breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The Biblical Apostolic model of Christianity has proven to be the most sustaining and powerful model for church growth, fellowship and living a successful and abundant the Christian life. It is the teachings and vision of Jesus Christ recorded in the Bible as taught to his disciples, to share to the world.
The principles of worship, fellowship, church government, evangelism and church growth were taught by Christ to the Apostles and they in turn put these practices into place resulting in the greatest Apostolic revival in the first century, it was said of them…they turned the world upside down.
Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
As an organization and charity, preaching the Word of God locally and online, we, here at the Rev. D. L. McQuinn Memorial Foundation Inc. and all our divisions within the Church and Charity. want to follow the Apostolic model in all things pertaining to our personal Christian walk and sharing of the Gospel Of Christ, while following the Apostolic doctrine and principles along with the two greatest commandments that Jesus outlined in the book of Matthew…
Matt.22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
These are our guiding principles and the model for revival as outlined by the Lord and the Apostles, so lets take a closer look at these
1) Loving God – “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
First of this is a commandment – that makes it easy, you don’t have to explain it, or defend it, you just have to obey it.
A deep personal relation ship with the Lord is paramount – it starts with Biblical salvation and continues for eternity.
To be invited to spend eternity with Almighty God is a powerful invitation! We want to answer that call for ourselves as quickly as we can and then have the joy of learning and spending time with the Lord. Getting to know him through his Word, through the Spirit, through fellowshipping with him, through prayer and worship, learning to trust him and know his character throughout our life and circumstances ia a truly amazing relationship.
2) Loving your neighbour – “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Again this is not a choice, but a commandment – that makes it easy, you don’t have to explain it, or defend it, you just have to obey it. We will discover more on how to love your neighbour in our RBD lessons.
3) After experiencing Biblical salvation, we then begin to implement Apostolic methods and principles into our lives…this will produce great joy, personal spiritual growth, positive fellowship opportunities, service opportunities resulting in church growth and the greatest end time revival the world has ever known.
Lets look at those principles in depth:
Acts 4:42 And they (1) continued steadfastly in the (2) apostles’ doctrine and (3) fellowship, and in (4) breaking of bread, and in (5) prayers.
1. Commitment – Continued Steadfastly
Commitment is the first order, if a person is not committed to the process of the Apostolic method and lifestyle all else will fail, Christian disciplines are important to be first and foremost a true disciple of Jesus Christ- loving and serving him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.
2. Doctrine – The Apostles’ Doctrine
Doctrine is incredibly important – doctrine or what you believe determines your actions and way of life. Doctrine is another word for teaching.
As Apostolic Christians we don’t want Hindu doctrine or any other religion or worldly philosophies invading and influencing our lives. We worship and follow Jesus Christ, he and he alone is our example, our teacher, our father, our High priest – it is his words and teaching that we want guiding our lives. Therefore, the study of the Word, the study of Christ – his teaching and following Christs teachings are extremely important to true Apostolic believers.
3. Apostolic Fellowship
Fellowshipping with believers within the church setting, within our homes, on the street, in order to encourage and strengthen one another, this is also part of the Apostolic lifestyle and method; coming together, to worship, to break bread, to love one another, it is so critical in these end days.
4. Breaking of Bread – Personal Daily Devotion
Participating in communion to remember and show the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection, to be healed, physically, emotionally and spiritually, and financially to be strengthened and encouraged, these are so important to the Lord and to the church.
To participate daily in the work of the death, burial and resurrection – to die daily, to become a living sacrifice, to plead the blood, to do the work of a soldier of Christ – defeating Satan, death hell and the grave, to walk victoriously being filled with the Spirit ready to do the work of Christ.
5. Prayers – All different types of prayer.
Communicating with the Lord – a constant, continuous, communication with the Lord, prayer along with fasting is a backbone of all true Apostolic principles and methods.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and (6) many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed (7) were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, (8) continuing daily with one accord (9) in the temple, and (10) breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
6. Miracles and Wonders
When Apostolic Principles are followed this is the result, a powerful ministry team with signs and wonders following. All believers have this ministry.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
7. All things common – Ministering to the Saints
Caring physically for one another, making sure we are all clothed, fed and have the necessities of life, it comes under loving your neighbour, these principles were not just taught by the early church but greatly practiced. It brought great joy.
8. Being in One Accord in one Place – Public Worship
Unity is the foundation for all revivals Daily connection in the temple for worship and prayer, having a place to come and worship each day, a place for private prayer and reflection from the world. Or as the Word says,
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For those who don’t have a local church online prayer rooms are available- https://specialspace.ca/ladies-prayer-room/
10. Breaking of bread from house to house –Visitation and hospitality – Visit the sick, the shut -ins, the elderly, the single mom and show hospitality, share your home, your table with others is such a lost ministry but powerful when practiced, the results are fellowship with powerful joy!
The results are powerful!
It is our goal, our destiny and our promise IF we follow the Apostolic principles and methods laid out by our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles, we too can have favour with all the people…and see the Lord add to the church daily such as should be saved.
Make the commitment – commit today to following the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, loving people, and valuing each person you meet as well as yourself and who you are in Christ…embrace the Apostolic life, methods, teaching and principles in your own life, your families lives and in your community to see this great end time global revival.
Personal Apostolic Daily Life Principles:
1. Commitment – Maintain Your Personal Commitment to Christ and his Church
2. The Apostles’ Doctrine – Study the Word – the Apostles’ doctrine – Bible study as well as Bible reading
3. Apostolic Fellowship – Practice Regular Church attendance and connecting with the Saints.
4. Breaking of Bread – Daily Devotions – Become a Living Sacrifice – remembering and participating in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ – participate in communion.
5. Prayer – Practice Prayer – in church, in the community and at home.
6 Miracles and Wonders – Perform Miracles and Wonders – exercise your authority in Christ over sickness, demons, devils and even death.
7. Ministering to the Saints – care for someone in the church today, start with the church, then family, then the community.
8. Being in One Accord – unity – be in one accord, exercise forgiveness, mercy and grace toward all believers and yourself, rejecting both shame and condemnation.
9. In One Place – Public Worship – Praise and communication with the church as a whole.
10. Breaking of bread from house to house – Visitation and Hospitality – maintain daily connections to the Church – visit the sick, the shut -ins, the elderly, the single mom and show hospitality.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Expect and Participate in the local, online and global revival – always be ready, be available to pray, to deliver, to speak, to testify and to invite someone else to share the blessings of the Lord and to become part of the kingdom of God!
The Apostolic Life is a vibrant life with a powerful relationship with Christ, full of joy… or as Jesus himself put it…
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Feel free to contact us to know more!
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