Acts 2:44-47
I. Their United Effort
A. “Together” / “Common” / “With one accord” (Acts 2:44-47)
B. NOT unity in diversity! Unity in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:20-21)
C. Striving for peace (Acts 6:1,7; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:1-3)
II. Their Steadfast Nature
A. Steadfast in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 16:13)
B. Danger of not being steadfast (Galatians 1:6-9)
C. Self-discipline (Romans 12:1)
III. Their Belief in the Message
A. “Into all the world” (Mark 16:15; Colossians 1:23)
B. Unafraid when opposed (Acts 4:18-20; Galatians 1:10)
C. Despite persecutions, they believed (Acts 8:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:24-27; Acts 12:1-2; 8:4)
Acts 18:24-28
I. APOLLOS’ LOVE FOR GOD’S WORD
A. “Mighty in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24; 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:15)
B. “Instructed in the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:25)
1. John’s baptism (Mark 1:4; 11:30; as opposed to Matthew 28:19)
2. Re-baptism in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-5)
II. APOLLOS’ ATTITUDE WHEN HE LEARNED THE TRUTH
A. He humbly accepted correction
B. He believed that those in error should change (Galatians 1:6-9; Acts 18:26)
III. APOLLOS’ TREMENDOUS ZEAL
A. “Being fervent in spirit” (Acts 18:25; Romans 12:11)
1. zeo – “to boil with heat, be hot…metaphorically, used of ‘boiling’ anger, love, zeal for what is good or bad”
2. Zeal must be based on truth (Romans 10:1-3)
B. “Vigorously refuted the Jews publicly” (Acts 18:28)
C. The teacher is not the thing to put your faith in; put your faith in God (1 Corinthians 13:1-7)
Acts 4:36-37
I. ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHER CHRISTIANS
A. Barnabas took action (Acts 9:26-28; 8:1-2)
B. We must seek opportunities to encourage others
II. ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE CONGREGATION
A. “With purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:19-26)
B. The attributes of Barnabas (Acts 11:24)
1. “A good man”
2. “Full of the Holy Spirit”
3. “Full of faith”
C. The action of Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3)
III. ENCOURAGEMENT IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
A. From “Barnabas and Saul” to “Paul and Barnabas” (Acts 13:42-49)
B. Accepting our roles in His church (1 Timothy 3:1; Acts 20:28-30; Hebrews 13:17; 3 John 1:9-11; 1 Peter 5:2-3)
IV. ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE FACE OF CONFLICT
A. The conflict between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:35-41; 2 Timothy 4:11)
B. We must never compromise the faith (1 Corinthians 1:10; Jude 1:3)
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. (Acts 8:12)
