Restoration of New Testament Order

Acts 2 (2) By Ron Thomas     On the day of Pentecost, those who heard Peter’s message obeyed the Lord’s commands (repented and were baptized), what did they do next? In Acts 2:41, those who received the words of the apostles were added to them that were saved, that is, they were added to the church. The New Testament church, the one revealed in the pages of the New Testament, consisted only of those who were saved. There were no unsaved people in the Lord’s church at that time. From there we read, “... they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).     In addition to restoring the simple message of how one is saved, in Acts 2:42, one can understand what the church did in order to please the Lord. This is crucial to understand. There is an old saying that holds true even today. “If we do what they did, we will get what they got.” What does that mean? It means that if we follow the teachings of Scripture just as they did (not trying to justify ourselves in ways of thinking not revealed in Scripture), what the Christians of the first century received, we will receive the same, which is God’s favor (blessings) and salvation.     “And they continued steadfastly...” – This means those who love the Lord refuse to give up. There were (are) no opinions expressed by another person that supplanted anything of the Lord or became doctrinal tenets. There are no contradictory behaviors seen by a person who loves the Lord that will dissuade them (others) from turning away. Thus, the empty expression” “There are a bunch of hypocrites at that church” will always be empty and entirely useless of any substance.     “...in the apostles' teaching...” – This means that what the apostles taught, and only that which they taught, will be adhered to. There is no opinion of man worthy of equal status to apostolic teachings. The Lord’s apostle John wrote, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world ... We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:1, 6).     “...and fellowship...” – This means that when the saints have a meeting time, they will be present at those meeting occasions. There is a reason for this: it is not because “I have to,” but because “I would rather be no other place.” If they are on the road, they will find a location where the saints meet and worship/study with them. It is not a matter of church attendance; it is a matter of one’s desire to worship the Lord and be with the brethren.     “...in the breaking of bread...” – This means on the first day of every week the saints gather to observe the Lord's Supper. To observe (participate in) the Lord's Supper, one must be a Christian. As a Christian, the life lived is one of holiness. In the first century, the saints met on the first day of every week and did just this. They did not do this on Saturday, Tuesday, or any other day than the first day. Thus, we do not either.     “...and the prayers...” – As J. W. McGarvey wrote, “The prayers mentioned are those [that] there were offered in public.” This corresponds to the words of Paul, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV).     Let us stay with what the Bible teaches and not go beyond that which it expressly teaches.

- Ron Thomas preaches for the Church of Christ at Rio Grande in Bidwell, OH. He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.com. Visit the congregation’s website at: https://www.churchofchristatriogrande.com