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Read Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and powerful.It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword,cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.Hebrews 4:12

Read 2 Timothy 4:1–2

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus,who will someday judge the living and the deadwhen he comes to set up his Kingdom:Preach the word of God.Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not.Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourageyour people with good teaching.(2 Timothy 4:1–2)

Read 2 Timothy 4:3–4

For a time is coming when people will no longer listento sound and wholesome teaching.They will follow their own desiresand will look for teachers who will tell themwhatever their itching ears want to hear.They will reject the truth and chase after myths.(2 Timothy 4:3–4)

Read 2 Corinthians 10:5

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.(2 Corinthians 10:5)

Read 1 Peter 2:13–17

For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed.For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrongand to honour those who do right.It is God’s will that your honourable lives should silencethose ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves,so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.Respect everyone, and love the family of believers.Fear God, and respect the king.(1 Peter 2:13–17)

Read Acts 5:29

We must obey God rather than any human authority.(Acts 5:29)

Too many people these days are relying on too few to walk in integrity. Your personal integrity matters more than I can put into words. As Christians, we can’t play fast-and-loose with our money and expect it not to affect us. It’s God’s money. We can’t play fast-and-loose with our morality either. A believer can’t sleep around and get away with it as a Christian. There’s a terrible price to pay, because God holds His own directly accountable.

Read Acts 2:41

Those who believed what Peter saidwere baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.(Acts 2:41)

Sometimes we idealize the first church on record as a model of perfection. Perhaps the setting was more ideal, but it certainly wasn’t idyllic. It was more pristine, but not perfect. They had challenges, just as we do. However, some of their struggles were far greater than ours.

I usually smile when I hear people say, “We want our church to be a first-century church!”

Read Ephesians 1:22–23

God has put all things under the authority of Christand has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ,who fills all things everywhere with himself.(Ephesians 1:22–23)

Read Acts 2:46–47

Day by Day continuing with one mind in the temple,and breaking bread from house to house,they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,praising God and having favor with all the people.And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.(Acts 2:46–47)

Read Acts 2:42

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teachingand to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.(Acts 2:42)

When the first body of believers gathered together, they devoted themselves to four essentials: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This verse is not only descriptive of what the early church did; it is also prescriptive of what all churches must do.