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HOW THE EARLY CHURCH GATHERED
1. Jerusalem: a. Acts 2:41-47 1) “Then they that gladly received the word” 2) “were baptized:” 3) “and the same there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” 4) “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” 5) “and fellowship,” 6) “and in breaking of bread,” 7) “and in prayers.” 8) “And fear came upon every soul:” 9) “and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” 10) “And all that believed were together,” 11) “And had all things common;” 12) “and parted them to all men, as every man had need. “ 13) “And they continuing daily with one accord” 14) “in the temple” 15) “and breaking bread from house to house” 16) “did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” 17) “Praising God,” 18) “and having favor with all the people.” 19) “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” b. Acts 4:11-16 1) “And great fear came upon all the church,” 2) “and upon as many as heard these things.” 3) “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;” 4) “(and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.” 5) “And the rest durst no man join himself to them:” 6) “but the people magnified them.” 7) “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 8) “Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.” 9) “There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” c. Acts 4:31-36 1) “And when they had prayed,” 2) “the place was shaken where they were assembled together;” 3) “and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,” 4) “and they spake the word of God with boldness.” 5) “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:” 6) “neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own;” 7) “but they had all things common.” 8) “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:” 9) “and great grace was upon them all.” 10) “Neither was there any among them that lacked:” 11) “for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them,” 12) “and brought the prices of the things that were sold.” 13) “And laid them down at the apostle’s feet:” 14) “and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” 15) “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” d. Acts 6:1-7 1) “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” 2) “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” 3) “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” 4) “whom we may appoint over this business.” 5) “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 6) “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: 7) “and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:” 8) “Whom they set before the apostles;” 9) “and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.” 10) “And the word of God increased;” 11) “and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly.” e. Acts 8:1, 4 1) “And Saul was consenting unto Stephen’s death.” 2) “And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem:” 3) “and they were all scattered abroad” 4) “throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria,” 5) “except the apostles.” 6) “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” f. Acts 9:31 1) “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria,” 2) “and were edified;” 3) “and walking in the fear of the Lord,” 4) “and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,” 5) “were multiplied.”
g. Acts 15:5-6, 11, 22 1) “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 2) “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” 3) “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as the Gentiles.” 4) “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church…”
2. Judea, Galilee & Samaria a. Acts 9:31 1) “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, 2) “ and were edified;” 3) “and walking in the fear of the Lord,” 4) “and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,” 5) “were multiplied.”
3. Antioch a. Acts 13:1-4 1) “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch” 2) “certain prophets and teachers;” 3) “as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,” 4) “As they ministered to the Lord,” 5) “and fasted,” 6) “the Holy Ghost said,” 7) “Separate me Barnabas and Saul” 8) “for the work whereunto I have called them.” 9) “And when they had fasted” 10) “and prayed,” 11) “and laid their hands on them,” 12) “they sent them away.” 13) “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost,” 14) “departed…
b. Acts 14:26-27 1) “And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of god for the work which they fulfilled.” 2) “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that god had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” c. Acts 15:30-32, 34-35 1) “So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: which when they read, they rejoiced for the consolation.” 2) “And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” 3) “And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.” 4) “Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.” 5) “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.”
4. Rome a. Romans 14:5-6 1) “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.” b. Romans 14:10-13 1) “But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought they brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” 2) “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” c. Romans 14:14-17 1) “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of:” 2) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” d. Romans 16:1-7 1) “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.” 2) “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” 3) “Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” 4) “Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor for you.” 5) “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” e. Romans 16:16 1) “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.”
5. Troas a. Acts 20:7, 9, 11 1) “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached (dialegomai=dialogue) unto them.” 2) “Paul was long preaching (dialegomai=dialogue).” 3) “When they had broken bread…”
6. Corinth a. I Corinthians 11:20, 26, 33 1) “When ye come together therefore into one place…eat the Lord’s supper…” 2) “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” 3) “Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat…” b. I Corinthians 12:1-31; 14:1-40 1) “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant…” c. I Corinthians 14:26 1) “How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” d. I Corinthians 16:1-2 1) “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2) “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 7. Galatia a. Galatians 4:9-11 1) “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.” b. Galatians 5:16, 18 1) “Walk in the Spirit.” 2) “Be led of the Spirit.” 8. Ephesus a. Ephesians 4:3 1) “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” b. Ephesians 4:11-16 1) “And Christ gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” c. Ephesians 4:30 1) “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” d. Ephesians 5:18-19 1) “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” e. Ephesians 5:21 1) “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” 9. Philippi a. Philippians 3:3 1) “Worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” b. Philippians 3:17 1) “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” c. Philippians 4:3, 9 1) “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.” 2) “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.” d. Philippians 4:15-17 1)“Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
10. Colosse a. Colossians 1:18 1) “And Jesus is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” b. Colossians 3:16-17 1) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” 2) “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” c. Colossians 4:15-16 1) “Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymhas, and the church which is in his house.” 2) “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle fro Laodicea.”
10. Thessalonica a. I Thessalonians 1:6-8 1) “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:” 2) “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” 3) “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not speak anything.” b. I Thessalonians 2:13-14 1) “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 2) “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of god, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:” c. I Thessalonians 4:3, 7, 8 1) “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:” 2) “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 3) “God hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.” d. I Thessalonians 5:11, 12-13 1) “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 2) “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” 3) “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” e. I Thessalonians 5:19-20 1) “Quench not the Spirit.” 2) “ Despise not prophesyings.” f. I Thessalonians 5:25-27 1) “Brethren, pray for us.” 2) “Greet all they brethren with an holy kiss.” 3) “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.” 11. Thessalonica a. II Thessalonians 2:15 1) “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle.” b. II Thessalonians 3:1, 6-7, 9, 14-15 1) “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” 2) “Now we command you, brethren, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” 3) “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;” 4) “Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.” 5) “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
Note: Revelation 1:10 “I (John) was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…”
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