SUCCESS of EARLY (ANY) CHURCH        Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U. 11-5-00 P.M.  		Acts 8:1-4    		
	The video SOMEWHERE FOREVER is a witnessing tool that can be used in many 
different ways.  Remember the success of any organization is in direct proportion to the ability 
of that organization to mobilize its members to proclaim its message. 
	The Church in Acts knew and applied this principle... 
I.  THERE WAS CONTINUOUS PRAYER.. 
  A. Prayer as they waited for the "Promise"  1:14,24 
  B. Prayer and Peter heals the crippled beggar..  3:1 
  C. Prayer and the place was shaken.. 4:24-30 (boldness to speak.. 29) 
  D. Prayer at Paul's conversion..  9:11 
  E. Prayer and Peter raises Dorcas..  9:40 
  F. Prayer on the housetop... Peter in a "trance"  10:9 
  G. Prayer made for Peter, in prison..  12:5,12 
  H. Prayer made as Paul and Barnabas were sent on mission trip.. 13:3 
  I. Prayer made as Paul appointed elders.. 14:23 
  J. Prayer made in Philippi by the river side..   16:3,16 
  K. Prayer made by Paul and Silas in prison..  16:25 
  L. Prayer made for the father of Publius..  28:8 
II.  THERE WAS CONTINUOUS FELLOWSHIP..  (Caring)  2:42-47 
  A. There was teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, & prayers 
  B. There was gladness.. and singleness of heart 
  C. There was "community".. they shared things in common 
  D. There was praise and worship 
  E. There was great results.. 
    1. And.. fear came 43.. signs and wonders 
    2. And.. people were being saved daily.. 
III.  THERE WAS CONTINUOUS WITNESS..  (Aggressive) 
  A. Dependent upon the Holy Spirit.. (filled) 
    1. Believers were "filled" on Day of Pentecost and began to speak..2:2,4 
    2. Peter preaches on the Day of Pentecost..  2:14 
    3. Peter preaches in the temple..  3:12 
    4. Peter is filled... "said" unto them  4:8 
    5. All were filled.. and spoke the word of God with boldness..  4:31 
    6. Stephen preaches.. 7 
    7. All that were scattered went everywhere "preaching"  8:4 
    8. Philip goes to Samaria..  8:5   preaches to the antagonists of the Jews
    9. Philip goes to the wilderness..  8:26   preaches to the Ethiopian Treasurer
   10. Saul (Paul) was baptized, filled (9:17) and preached Christ ..  9:20
   11. Paul at Iconium.. filled..  so spoke that a great multitude believed..  13:52-14:1 
  B. Duty Recognized.. 
    1. In spite of prison..  4:3; 5:17-20.. "go and speak.." 
    2. In spite of threats.. 4:18 
	- Had filled Jerusalem with their doctrine.. threatened..  5:28,29 
	- "Ought to obey God rather than men.."  5;29 
    3. In spite of persecution..  7:60; 8:1-4 
  C. Delighted In The Process...  5:41,42 
    1. Departed "rejoicing" that they were counted worthy to suffer...  for Jesus!!
    2. Daily in the temple.. ceased NOT to teach and preach Jesus Christ 

WELL.. NO WONDER THERE WAS SUCH GREAT SUCCESS IN THE EARLY CHURCH.. 
    IT IS STILL POSSIBLE IN TRINITY TODAY... (ANY CHURCH) 
       LET'S KEEP AT IT.. PRAYER, CARING FELLOWSHIP, And AGGRESSIVE WITNESS