Week #7 — Storming the Gates
Have you ever noticed how the Bible regularly uses war language to describe the Christian life and the Church? In Ephesians 6:13-17, Paul tells his readers to “put on the full armor of God.” He instructs Timothy to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18), “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), and to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). Jesus himself uses war language to describe his Church, saying of Peter’s confession, “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Because of this, dating back to the 4th century, theologians have referred to the Church on earth as the Church Militant. Such a term depicts the Church as an army on the march, retaking spiritual territory and souls as it sets free the captives of sin, death, and hell. And yet, if the Church really is an assembled army attacking the gates of hell, its military makeup and its battle tactics are very, very strange. Instead of enlisting to fight, they repent and believe. Instead of charging up hills, they praise God and lift up prayers. Instead of swords and shields, or bombs and guns, the Church chooses weapons of Word and water, along with bread and wine.
Following Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, thousands came to faith in Jesus. The newly assembled army of God now lives as the Church—engaging in battle through teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayers. Read Acts 2:37-47 together with your group. Then go through the discussion questions below, giving thanks to God for the eyes of faith that the Holy Spirit has given you.
In Christ,
Pastor Ken
Week #7 — Questions
- In v37, the crowd is “cut to the heart” by Peter’s words. What is the difference between conviction that leads to repentance and guilt that leads to despair? Do you have a “cut to the heart” moment in your testimony?
- Peter responds by calling them to “repent and be baptized” (v38). Read Matthew 4:17, Luke 5:31-32, and Acts 20:30-31. What is repentance, and how does it relate to faith? Is it a one-time act only or an ongoing practice? Explain.
- What does baptism signify about belonging to Christ? How does it mark in the person both a personal and a communal identity?
- The differences between credo baptism (believer baptism) and paedobaptism (child/infant baptism) are important, yet non-essential. With which tradition(s) are you familiar? Discuss the Biblical reasons for each theological view of baptism.
- Peter promises the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who repent and believe (v38-39). What does the Holy Spirit do in the life of a Christian? How do you see the Holy Spirit at work today in your life, in the Church, and in the world?
- The early Church community devoted itself to the apostle’s teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. Why are these things necessary for spiritual life and community? Where do you see these same four categories happening at NAPC?
- Pastor Ken said that the believers’ radical generosity in v44-45 was not some Christian version of communism or socialism. Why not? Do you see similarly radical generosity among the people of NAPC?
- The early Church practiced all these things “day by day” (v47), showing their faith life had a steady rhythm. Does your faith life and community have a steady rhythm? In what way might the Lord be leading you to add, remove, or change some of your habits?
- While Peter’s presentation of Jesus as Lord and Christ risks being offensive to some, the shared life of the early Church is attractive to others (v47). Do you think the Gospel is more offensive or attractive in our day? What should we do about that?
- Read again the last sentence of the passage. What does this teach us about who ultimately builds the Church? Then, taking the passage as a whole, what part are we to play in growing the Church?