Community of believers

What is the New Testament community of believers based on?

Acts of the Apostles which is the earliest account of the spread of Christianity.

Which Acts of the Apostles are the most important?

Acts 2:42-47

What are the 4 ways of life the early church COB followed?

• Fellowship

• Breaking Bread

• Prayer

• All things in common

What was the didache?

The didache (apostles’ teaching) was preached in the early church in the kerygma (proclamation)

What did the kerygma proclaim?

Hey facts if the gospels including:

1. Prophecies in OT were fulfilled bc Jesus is the Messiah

2. This was shown through his life and resurrection

3. He now sits at the right hand of God

4. But he will come again as our Judge and Saviour

5. This means humans should repent and be baptised

Why was this teaching important for early church fellowship?

Accepting this teaching led to fellowship with God and eachother.

What are the two Acts about the breaking of bread?

1. Acts 2:42

2. Acts 2:46

What does Acts 2:42 show about the breaking of the bread?

The Eucharist as it’s a memorial of Jesus’ last supper and his sacrifice

What does Acts 2:46 show about the breaking of the bread?

Diving of loaves at a communal meal.

May also suggest giving food to poorer members of the church

What were the two places early Christians prayed at?

1. The synagogue as a community the earliest Christians were Jewish

2. Privately at home

What were the three reasons that early Christians pray at home?

1. Constant fellowship after the intensity if the Pentecost experience

2. Prayer brought them to Jews who could be introduced to Christianity

3. Prayer was a source of strength within the community

What was the early church practice of having things in common?

Sharing material possessions within community

What is the common misconception about shared possessions?

That it is communist.

It is actually socialist.

What is a flaw of the shared possessions?

The practice isn’t mentioned anywhere else in the NT

Suggests it only existed in the early years of Christianity, or failed as a practice

What are the five practices with the modern community of believers?

1. Teaching

2. Worship

3. Sacraments

4. Mission

5. Outreach

What is teaching?

Belief in main teachings of Apostles like Jesus as the Messiah, being crucified and resurrected etc

All beliefs are shared despite split in churches

Orthodox and Roman Catholic split, Protestant and Roman Catholic split in Protestant Reformation

What is worship?

Through the church, people become close to Jesus

In public worship, we can become one family of God’s children.

What are sacraments?

Sacraments are visible signs of God’s grace.

Different denominations have different sacraments.

Protestant Church has 2 sacraments only baptism and the Eucharist.

RC church and Orthodox churches have 7 sacraments which include baptism, the Eucharist, penance and confession.

Lutheran churches have 3 sacraments- baptism, the Eucharist and confession

Sacraments lead believers into a fellowship with God

What is mission?

Evangelising people as Matthew said to ‘baptise all the nations’.

What is outreach?

Acts of service which help those in need.

Leads to the Global church coming together to allow justice and peace.

What are examples of outreach?

Christian charities like Christian Aid

Help out those in natural disasters, those who need basic necessities like clean water etc

What is an obscure kind of outreach?

The lifestyle of the NT community seen as a form of outreach.

Actions of lifestyle bring belief as well as the messages they preach.

Is shared possessions still relevant to the modern community of believers?

Not compulsory.

Tithing may occur- giving 1/10 wealth to the church

Nuns and monks still live and pray together in communities.