The Apostles Teaching

This week's study continues our series in vital spiritual health by examining the role Scripture plays in our walk with the Lord.

How do you read Scripture? One bible teacher rightly said that most of us go to Scripture for inspiration, information or illumination. Many more approach the Scriptures the way we approach a buffet. We pick and choose the from those things we like most and leave the other stuff behind.

This week’s study concerns the importance of God’s word as well as a method of reading Scripture that focuses on drawing out its main themes.
Acts 2:42 states that the infant church devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. From last week’s study we learned that devotion in this sense means to be constantly diligent, or to adhere to closely. It refers to the eagerness and importance the disciples attached to these activities. This described the ancient church’s attitude toward the teaching of the word of God. With that in mind how should we view and study the Scriptures in order to grow up into our salvation now that we’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good? (1Pet 2:2-3)

We begin by accepting the reality that God speaks to His people through His word. We believe that anything God has to say to His people has already been said in His word. We affirm with the apostle Paul that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, reproving, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. We therefore believe that the written word of God is how God speaks today to His people. There are no further or additional revelations, dreams, visions or anything else we need in order to know, worship, serve, obey and love our Lord other than His word. We depend on what God has said in Scripture for our growth in grace and to have a healthy, grounded and joyful walk with our Lord.

What were some of the main features of the apostles’ teaching and how can we learn from it to grow in the word of God?

The apostles teaching was authoritative.
The apostles teaching was authority that formed the infant church’s view of themselves, their purpose and their life. Their teaching revealed the will of God to His people. The Scriptures are remarkably clear regarding how the people of God are to think, speak and live. Whether the issue is politics, religion, economics, culture, relationships or sexuality, the Bible speaks with unfailing clarity. By the grace of God His people need not be swayed the shifting sand of popular or current thought on these issues. In an act of sheer grace He has spoken. The Scriptures therefore provide the people of God with an authoritative and complete revelation to propel us into becoming an alternative society that lives in the midst of our culture. The people of God were on their way to becoming a permanent new people group. Moreover, these people were now the only ones in the world who could lay claim to knowing and representing the God of Scripture. Through grace, God has seen to it that we are His people, living according to His truth which brings a life of peace, contentment and fulfillment.

The teaching comes through men invested with authority.
God has chosen to communicate His word in written form to His people. He has also decided to use men to teach and explain that word to His people. Note that the text reads that they were devoted to the apostles teaching. The early church sat under God’s appointed and ordained men to hear and receive the word of God. This pattern of the church gathering for systematic teaching by recognized authority is repeated in the church at Antioch. (see Acts 11:23-26 also Neh. 8:7-8) By His grace God has raised up men to teach His word faithfully to His people for our growth and health in Him. God has even given us the qualifications and manner of life these men ought to have as they teach and lead God’s people. (see 1 Peter 5:1-3)
These men are charged with the responsibility of systematically teaching through the Bible for the spiritual health and maturity of God’s people.
The content and substance of the apostles teaching was the Person and work of Jesus Christ.
Since Christ declared that He was the point of the entire Scripture it shouldn’t surprise us that His Person and work was the subject of the apostles teaching.
Luke 24:44-47 (ESV)
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." [45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
This is true of the very first sermon recorded in Acts 2 where Peter cites three separate Old Testament passages and shows their fulfillment in Christ.
The sermon recorded in Acts 7 by the deacon Stephen who recounts Hebrew history with the natural application of how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of that history. Paul’s method of evangelizing Hebrews and God fearing Gentiles was to prove from the Scriptures that Jesus is indeed the Christ. Acts 17:1-3 (ESV)
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."

There were other features of apostolic teaching that inform how we are to read and study the Scriptures today.

1. We should not approach the Scriptures in a haphazard manner, but with an orderly, systematic approach. Note that Ezra read through the entire law. (see Nehemiah 8:1-15)

2. Read the Scriptures for the purpose of spiritual nourishment, deepening your worship, direction in holiness and to begin to get an understanding of God’s will and ways.

3. Study the Scriptures to be equipped to share and tell the gospel.

4. Learn to view Old Testament stories, laws, poetry and prophecy for their value in telling of the Person and work of Christ.

Questions for reflection.

1. How do you know when God is speaking to you?

2. What authority has the final say concerning how you run your life?

3. Have you submitted to the authority of a local shepherd in a local church? If not, what’s preventing you from doing so?

4. If so, do you attend the services of worship on a regular basis to hear God speak to His people through the preaching of His word?

5. Do you have problems or challenges in studying Scripture or would you like to receive a guide on how to better read and study Scripture?

To Him Who Loves Us…
Pastor Lance