Lesson4-Day 1 Devoted to Apostolic Teaching

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. . . (Acts 2:42)

Every day people gathered in the temple courts as the apostles taught. These men and women had an eagerness to know Christ and to walk in his ways. The disposition, character and fundamental values of these early Christ followers was to devote themselves to the apostles teaching.

We today have access to the apostle teaching through the writtings in the New Testament. The apostles teaching was characterized by:

• Christ centered teaching. It goes beyond biblical principles and life application to the centrality of Christ living and reigning in our lives. Paul said it like this: We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. (Colosians 1:28)
• Life-related teaching. Most of the New Testament was written in response to people's problems, questions, failures and struggles. Like Jesus, the apostles began with people's felt needs and then directed them to their greatest need. To a life that glorifies and enjoys God forever.
• Doctrinal Teaching. The apostles believed theology mattered. In the epistles, you find teaching that based life application on clearly articulated doctrinal truths. They taught truth, corrected error and contended with false teachers. Paul instructed Timothy this way: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:2-3
• Biblical Teaching. Peter underscored the authority of Scripture with this admonition: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Being devoted to apostolic teaching goes beyond what happens in the pulpit. Mostly it is about you and me and our life responses to God's word. It is about our conviction, passion and devotion to knowing and following Christ.