Welcome to Summit Theological Seminary

"Teaching God's Word to God's World"

2766 Airport Road, Peru, Indiana 46970, (765) 472-4111

DEVOTED

Kendall Faull

 

From its very foundation the Church that God established was devoted to certain things. Acts 2:42 tells us that , “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

 

Their devotion was an example for us to follow. Hebrews 13:7 commands, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Some might wonder what it means to be devoted to these things. If we remember their “way of life” and “imitate their faith,” we will understand what it is to be devoted.

 

They were devoted to the Apostles’ teaching in that:

¨       They taught it in the temple.

Acts 5:25, “Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.”

¨       They spread it all over Jerusalem.

Acts 5:28, "Saying, Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."

¨       They taught it from home to home.

Acts 5:42, "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

¨       They taught it every day.

Acts 5:42, "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

 

THEY WERE DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP IN THAT:

¨       They met in public worship to praise God.

Acts 2:46, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart."

¨       They met together in each other's homes.

Acts 2:46, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart."

¨       They met the physical needs of others.

Acts 6:1-7, "1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multi-tude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multi-plied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."

¨       They cared for each other in sickness.

Acts 9:36-41, "36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid [her] in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring [him] that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive."

¨       They cared for those who couldn't get out to the assembly.

Acts 24:23, "And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him."

    

THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE DEVOTED TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD IN THAT:

¨       They all came together to do it.

Acts 20:7, "And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."

¨      They did it on the first day of the week.

Acts 20:7, "And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."

¨       They met every first day of the week.

I Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."

¨      When they took the communion, it was called "love feasts."

Jude 1:12, "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots."

 

THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE DEVOTED TO PRAYER IN THAT:

¨      They prayed constantly.

Acts 1:14, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

¨      They prayed during the day.

Acts 3:1, "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour]."

 

Acts 10:9, "On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour."

¨      They prayed during the night.

Acts 12:12, "And when he had considered [the thing], he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying."

Acts 16:25, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

¨      They prayed in choosing new leaders.

Acts 1:24, "And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men], show whether of these two thou hast chosen."

Acts 6:6, "Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them."

Acts 13:3, "And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away."

Acts 14:23, "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

¨      It was a priority for the leaders to do it.

Acts 6:4, "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

¨      They prayed during persecution.

Acts 4:29, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word."

Acts 7:59, "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [God], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Acts 12:5, "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."

¨      They prayed for those needing physical healing.

Acts 9:40, "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up."

Acts 28:8, "And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him."

¨      Prayer was given before going on journeys.

Acts 20:36, "And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all."

Acts 21:5, "And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till [we were] out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed."

¨      When in danger prayer was their strength.

Acts 27:35, "And when he had thus spoken, He took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat."

¨      They prayed for forgiveness after sinning.

Acts 8:22, "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."

 

Truly they were devoted to the Apostle's doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. Could the same description be given about you?

 

Devoted to you in love, Kendall Faull