The Lord Adds to the Church Daily

[Wansvic]

The NT church was begun with those who received a spiritual rebirth via water and Spirit (John 3:3-5) on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:38) Also, to be noted is that the Lord continues to add people to the church daily through this same spiritual rebirth experience. (verse 47) To the Jew first and then to the Gentile. (Rom. 1:16)

• Per Jesus’ instructions the apostles waited to be filled with the Holy Ghost prior to beginning their ministry. (Acts 1:4) This example was undoubtedly given for a reason.
• Peter shared the truth about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. (Acts 2:21-36)
• Listeners were given instructions that required obedience from everyone. (Acts 2:38)
• Peter instructed the listeners to save themselves through compliance. (verse 40)
• 3,000 people obeyed Peter’s words and received their spiritual rebirth becoming part of the NT church. (verse 41)
• Scripture attests to the people continuing in the apostles’ doctrine/teaching. (verse 42)
• The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (verse 47)

Consider again that verse 47 states that the Lord added to the church daily. How did He add to the church? They were added via the apostle’s teaching. (verse 38 & 42)


Acts 2:38-47
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed 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, 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,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.


Food for thought - Water baptism and being filled with the Holy Ghost never ceased to be required. One did not replace the other.
As witnessed in scripture, obedience to the command to be water baptized was given at times before, and at others after one had been filled with the Holy Ghost.

 

[Blik]

The NT church was begun with those who received a spiritual rebirth via water and Spirit (John 3:3-5) on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:38) Also, to be noted is that the Lord continues to add people to the church daily through this same spiritual rebirth experience. (verse 47) To the Jew first and then to the Gentile. (Rom. 1:16)

• Per Jesus’ instructions the apostles waited to be filled with the Holy Ghost prior to beginning their ministry. (Acts 1:4) This example was undoubtedly given for a reason.
• Peter shared the truth about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. (Acts 2:21-36)
• Listeners were given instructions that required obedience from everyone. (Acts 2:38)
• Peter instructed the listeners to save themselves through compliance. (verse 40)
• 3,000 people obeyed Peter’s words and received their spiritual rebirth becoming part of the NT church. (verse 41)
• Scripture attests to the people continuing in the apostles’ doctrine/teaching. (verse 42)
• The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (verse 47)

Consider again that verse 47 states that the Lord added to the church daily. How did He add to the church? They were added via the apostle’s teaching. (verse 38 & 42)


Acts 2:38-47
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed 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, 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,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.


Food for thought - Water baptism and being filled with the Holy Ghost never ceased to be required. One did not replace the other.
As witnessed in scripture, obedience to the command to be water baptized was given at times before, and at others after one had been filled with the Holy Ghost.

It seems to me we can get so carried away with the need for the physical act of baptism that we forget it is a matter of the spirit and the holy spirit in our hearts that is the reality of baptism. If we refuse to submit to the physical part of this it is serious because we are refusing to submit to baptism of the spirit and heart, but if there is no opportunity for the physical part, we can still accept God in our hearts and belong to Him.

 

[wattie]

Family of God and The Body of Christ--

Are they the same thing?

Antioch-- local body

Corinthians- Local body

Ephesians- Local body

Galatians- multiple local bodies

Jerusalem- Local body

Phillipi- Local body

Thessolonians-- Local body

etc etc..


I would put forward that the NT church began with Jesus and His disciples-- and was EMPOWERED at pentecost.. not started.

Where is the 'universal, mystical' body of Christ of all believers?

I see in scripture only local churches and no universal entity of all believers.

The entity of all believers-- is part of the Family of God and the Kingdom of God--

The body of Christ- -is a local body of believers.

When Jesus was talking in Matthew 18 of the church-- it is of a local institution. How can you 'tell it to the church?' if it's 'universal, invisible'?

When Jesus was saying he would build His church-- talking with Peter-- this is singular standing for plural.. still of local churches. The same way we refer to the 'dog' the 'cat' the 'school'.. 'the bar' etc..

So-

The church- body of Christ began with Jesus and His disciples as the first local body of Christ. (Although saying 'local' is non-sensical, seeing a church is local by nature)

It was further developed with more churches throughout the rest of the NT-- the institution of God's churches plural.

In Acts-- the addition of people.. is people added to church membership-- saved before becoming part of a local body of Christ.

Now-- there WILL be a body of Christ of all believers-- but that hasn't come yet. That's when we are all in the New Jerusalem.

Think about every time you see the word church or assembly-- and think what it is referring to. It's either of a particular group of baptised believers as a church or representing multiple groups of baptised believers as the whole church institution-- like 'the dog' or 'the cat'

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

It seems to me we can get so carried away with the need for the physical act of baptism that we forget it is a matter of the spirit and the holy spirit in our hearts that is the reality of baptism.

Precious friend, Well spoken. For centuries now Many have been "carried away with the need for the physical act of baptism" not realizing That God Does Not
Even "require it" for today! Simply "study": 12 baptisms Rightly Divided From
ONE Baptism! God's {NO Confusion} Answer Of 'NO' Absolutely Vanquishes...

...Satan's following Confusion Into Oblivion! Amen?:

1) believe AND be baptized
{i.e. immersion to contact their Christ's blood}?

(2) immersion with a symbolic interpretation?

(3) immersion ONCE in the "name of Jesus?

(4) immersion THRICE in the "name of the Triune Godhead?

(5) immersion {whether once or thrice} for "membership" in
their traditional assembly?

(6) sprinkling water on babies inducting them into religion
washing away their original sin?

(7) sprinkling water on babies inducting them into some covenant?

(8) sprinkling water on babies inducting them into their parent's custody
that they promise to raise them right? {into Mass Confusion?}

(9) sprinkling water on babies, admitting that their ritual is
UNscriptural, but "we do it anyway, because it is OUR tradition!"?

(10) pouring water onto babies or adults for Whatever
traditional reason religion "can come up with"?
------------------------
Traditional Confusion or Solid Scriptural Evidence From God?:
12 baptisms Rightly Divided From

ONE {SPIRITUAL} BAPTISM For The Body Of CHRIST, Today!
(Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJB!)

Please be Richly Encouraged, enlightened, exhorted, and edified!
God's Simple Will!

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

Family of God and The Body of Christ--

Are they the same thing?

Precious friend, Depends, are you referring to God's assembly in:

God's Prophetic Program, Under LAW, gospel of the kingdom (past/future)

(1) Concerns a kingdom: a political organization
(Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:10 KJB!)

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 KJB!) From Things That DIFFER!:

OR: are you referring to God's assembly in:

God's Revelation Of The Mystery, Under The Gospel Of The GRACE Of God!
(Current = “But NOW!” Romans 3:21, 7:6, 16: 26; Ephesians 2:13 et al KJB!):

(1) Concerns A Body, HIS Church; a Living Organism
(1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 4:12-16 KJB!)

are you referring to God's assembly in:
Prophecy:
(2) The kingdom to be established on earth
(Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 6:10!)
RDf:

OR: are you referring to God's assembly in:
The Mystery:
(2) The Body {Church} Given a position in Heaven!
(Ephesians 1:3, 2:5-6; Colossians 3:1-3 KJB!)

Of course, these "Heavenly members" In The Body Of CHRIST
should have "local assemblies" here on earth, but Most are
ALL "Divided UP" by the Traditional Confusion listed in # 4!
Sad, is it not?
--------------------------------------------------
Many MORE:

Distinctions In God's Two Different Programs: Prophecy vs Mystery!

Please be Richly Encouraged, enlightened, exhorted, and edified!
God's Simple Will!

 

[p_rehbein]

Food for thought - Water baptism and being filled with the Holy Ghost never ceased to be required. One did not replace the other.

As witnessed in scripture, obedience to the command to be water baptized was given at times before, and at others after one had been filled with the Holy Ghost.

the difference being that water baptism is an "act of obedience" to Jesus telling us to be water baptized, and NOT UNTO SALVATION! As well, water baptism is NOT required. For there are numerous instances when a new believer can not be water baptized, but they STILL receive salvation through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It was never intended for one to REPLACE the other, for one is NOT the same as the other. They both serve different purposes.

 

[Wansvic]

I would put forward that the NT church began with Jesus and His disciples-- and was EMPOWERED at pentecost.. not started.

The NT spiritual rebirth experience only became possible after Jesus shed His blood, was buried and resurrected. Jesus said that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in his name BEGINNING in Jerusalem. This happened on the Day of Pentecost. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

Paul addresses this in Acts 19:1-6 as well. People who had been water baptized by John the Baptist had to submit to being rebaptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

[Wansvic]

Precious friend, Well spoken. For centuries now Many have been "carried away with the need for the physical act of baptism" not realizing That God Does Not
Even "require it" for today!

Please provide scripture indicating when water baptism ceased to be no required.

 

[wattie]

The NT spiritual rebirth experience only became possible after Jesus shed His blood, was buried and resurrected. Jesus said that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in his name BEGINNING in Jerusalem. This happened on the Day of Pentecost. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

Paul addresses this in Acts 19:1-6 as well. People who had been water baptized by John the Baptist had to submit to being rebaptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The question is whether the receiving the Holy Ghost in Acts was individual indwelling of the Holy Spirit.. or a group of already indwelled believers who received the comforter 'in their midst' as a new local church starting.

The group Paul rebaptised were already disciples, had already believed. So I'd put it that they were indwelt but hadn't been given the Holy Spirit 'in their midst '

 

[Wansvic]

The question is whether the receiving the Holy Ghost in Acts was individual indwelling of the Holy Spirit.. or a group of already indwelled believers who received the comforter 'in their midst' as a new local church starting.

Notice verse 3 states tongues like fire sat upon each of them. This clarifies that each person had the experience individually.

Acts 2:1-4
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

 

[Wansvic]

The group Paul rebaptised were already disciples, had already believed. So I'd put it that they were indwelt but hadn't been given the Holy Spirit 'in their midst '

These disciples had not received the NT spiritual rebirth. Therefore they did not have the Holy Ghost dwelling in them.

A disciple is a follower or student of a teacher.

Consider that these disciples had only been obedient to John the Baptist's message and baptism. Paul informed them they needed to believe on Jesus and be re-baptized in accordance with the NT gospel message given on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:38-42) Upon belief in Paul's message they obeyed and were re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and after that they received the Holy Ghost. (verses 5 & 6)

Also, Paul's initial question to these disciples made it clear that a person does not automatically get the Holy Ghost the moment they believe the gospel message. "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since you believed?"

See the following:
Acts 2:1-4 (120 gathered) The people believed in Jesus well before receiving the Holy Ghost
Acts 8:12-18 Belief and water baptism days before receiving Holy Ghost
Acts 10:44-48 Cornelius and others heard the message received the Holy Ghost and got water baptized afterward
Acts 19:1-6 People heard the message got water baptized and received the Holy Ghost afterward.

 

[wattie]

These disciples had not received the NT spiritual rebirth. Therefore they did not have the Holy Ghost dwelling in them.

A disciple is a follower or student of a teacher.

Consider that these disciples had only been obedient to John the Baptist's message and baptism. Paul informed them they needed to believe on Jesus and be re-baptized in accordance with the NT gospel message given on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:38-42) Upon belief in Paul's message they obeyed and were re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and after that they received the Holy Ghost. (verses 5 & 6)

Also, Paul's initial question to these disciples made it clear that a person does not automatically get the Holy Ghost the moment they believe the gospel message. "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since you believed?"

See the following:
Acts 2:1-4 (120 gathered) The people believed in Jesus well before receiving the Holy Ghost
Acts 8:12-18 Belief and water baptism days before receiving Holy Ghost
Acts 10:44-48 Cornelius and others heard the message received the Holy Ghost and got water baptized afterward
Acts 19:1-6 People heard the message got water baptized and received the Holy Ghost afterward.

Yeah.. comes back to the question of corporate group of believers experience receiving the Holy Spirit 'in their midst' or individually believing and being indwelt.

 

[Wansvic]

Yeah.. comes back to the question of corporate group of believers experience receiving the Holy Spirit 'in their midst' or individually believing and being indwelt.

Notice verse 3 states tongues like fire sat upon each of them. This clarifies that each person had the experience individually.

Acts 2:1-4
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."