The First Discipled Congregation

Text: Acts 2:40-47

Theme: The first congregation obeyed God’s Word and discipled others.

Introduction: Having received the apostle Peter’s message gladly, about 3,000 new followers of Jesus banded together to disciple one another.

Outline:
I. They Were Committed Disciples (Acts 2:40-42)
A. Committed to obeying Scripture (verses 40-42a)
B. Committed to fellowshipping together (verse 42b)
C. Committed to remembering Jesus’ death (verse 42c)
D. Committed to praying together (verse 42d)

II. They Were Compassionate Disciples (Acts 2:44, 45)
(Many of these new followers of Jesus had come to Jerusalem from faraway places. They had left homes, jobs, and income behind. So there was a critical need for social welfare program, which the Jerusalem congregation launched.)
A. They shared their resources with one another (verse 44)
B. They shared their finances with one another (verse 45)

III. They Were Corporate Disciples (Acts 2:46-47)
(The word “together” occurs 3 times in verses 44-46.)
A. They met together daily (verse 45)
B. They worshiped together (verse 46a)
C. They ate together (verse 46b)
D. They rejoiced together (verse 46c)
E. They praised God together (verse 47)

IV. They Were Constructive Disciples (verses 43, 47)
A. They amazed others (verse 43)
B. They attracted others (verse 47)

Conclusion: The first disciples experienced personal growth by obeying God’s Word. They also experienced corporate growth, as they grew closer to one another. Their display of mutual love and compassion impacted those who observed them. As a result, the first congregation grew numerically as well as spiritually. Any congregation that disciples itself can similarly disciple others.