Continuing Stedfastly in

The Apostles' Doctrine

TEXT:  Acts 2:41-47

INTRODUCTION:

A.  THOSE WHO RECEIVED THE TEACHING OF PETER WERE BAPTIZED.

B.  NOT AN EVENT, THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE.

C.  THEY CONTINUED STEDFASTLY.  IN WHAT?

          1.  The apostles' doctrine.

          2.  Fellowship.

          3.  Breaking of bread.

          4.  Prayers.

D.  LET'S LOOK AT THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE.

I.  WHAT IS THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE?

A.  REFERENCES BY PAUL (Rom. 2:16;  2 Tim. 2:2;  2 Thess. 2:15;  1 John 4:6).

B.  ORIGIN OF THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE (Gal. 1:11;  2 Pet. 3:1-2).

C.  THE ROLE OF INSPIRATION:

          1.  God spoke this way in the past (Heb. 1:1).

          2.  But in these last days thru Jesus (Heb. 1:1-2;  John 12:49).

          3.  Jesus speaks thru the Holy Spirit (John 14:26;  16:13).

          4.  The Holy Spirit thru the Apostles ( Eph. 3:5 ).

          5.  1 Pet. 1:12.They spoke (1 Cor. 2:13) and wrote (Eph. 3:3-4). 

          6.  Their teaching constitutes law (John 12:48;  Luke 10:16;  1 Cor. 14:37).

D.  THE REVELATION PROCESS IS COMPLETE!

          1.  We have all things in the Scriptures( 2 Pet. 1:3;  2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).

          2.  "Once for all..." (Jude 3).

          3.  Latter day revelations are false (Gal. 1:8-9).

II.  WHAT IS MEANT "THEY CONTINUED STEDFASTLY?"

A.  THE LORD'S DESIRE FOR US IS THAT WE GROW (2 Pet. 3:18).

          1.  How is that growth accomplished? (1 Pet. 2:1-2;  Acts 20:32).  Feed on His Word!

          2.  Exercise is important (1 Tim. 4:7-8;  Heb. 5:12-14).

B.  THE PURPOSE OF THAT GROWTH IS A NEW LIFE (Rom. 6:4).

          1.  A new lifestyle (Rom. 6:1;  1 Pet. 4:1-4;  Eph. 4:17).

          2.  A new perspective (Col. 3:1-2).

          3.  A new commitment of service (Rom. 6:17-18;  1 Pet. 3:15;  4:19).

C.  BUT WE MUST CONTINUE IF WE ARE TO BE TRUE CHRISTIANS (John 8:31).

III.  NOW LET'S PUT THE TWO TOGETHER.

A. WE MUST CONTINUE IN WHAT THE APOSTLES ACTUALLY TAUGHT

          (2 Tim. 1:13;  Gal. 1:6-9).

          1.  There is a "sound" teaching (Titus 2:1-2;  1:9, 13;  1 Tim. 4:6).

          2.  There is a tendency to not consent (1 Tim. 6:3;  2 Tim. 4:3-4).

B.  DEPARTING FROM THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE HAS CONSEQUENCES

          (2 John 9;  Col. 2:8;  Matt. 15:13-14;  Gal. 1:8-9).

C.  WE MUST CONTINUE IN WHAT? (John 8:31-32).

D.  WE MUST TAKE HEED (Matt. 24:4;  Acts 17:11).

Book, Chapter, Verse!

CONCLUSION:

A.  THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE IS FOUND IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

B.  IT IS THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THOSE CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE.

C.  ARE YOU FOLLOWING IT?

D.  ARE YOU CONTINUING IN IT?