This week, as we continue to walk through the Book of Acts, we will be in Acts 2:22-47. We’ll take a look at “The Teaching and Life of the Early Church.”

Sometimes in life it is not healthy to look back. There are failures and sins in all of our pasts, and it doesn’t help to dwell on those things. They are, after all, under the blood of Jesus – completely forgiven. We need to move on and live in the present and face the future with the confidence and joy that comes from the gospel.

But at other times it is healthy to look back. We can look back and learn from our mistakes so we don’t repeat them. We can look back to great things that God did and recapture first principles.

That’s what I want us to do this Sunday. It’s not that the early church was perfect. It was not, because it was made up of human beings! We’ll see in Acts that it was far from perfect. But there are some wonderful things that we can learn from the teaching and the life of the early church.

• As you look at verses 22-41, what are the themes of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost?
• Did Peter focus on politics? Ethics? Good advice? A new philosophy? How to have your best life now? Or did he focus on Christ and Him crucified?
• Did Peter call for a response to the news about Jesus? If so, what?
• When we look at the community life of the early church in verses 42-47, what are the themes that stand out? Snazzy programs? Glitzy music? Awesome worship service production? Or things like Bible study, hospitality, relationships, and prayer?

Also, this Sunday night, I’m going to share a report with you about my recent trip overseas. What is God doing among Northern African and Middle Eastern peoples? It’s exciting, and I can’t wait to share it.

So it’s a big Sunday coming up – read over the text in advance and, most importantly, be in prayer for it. See you then.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.