July 26, 2026, Morning Service
The Apostles’ Doctrine
Bro. Duane Edmonson
Introduction: accros the nation today preachers are preaching. One will take the pulpit and go straight for the throat with condemnation and rebuke so moving as to send you running to the alter.
Another will speak so soft, so kindly, so assuredly and so sweetly you’ll need an insulin shot.
Which preacher are we getting this morning, you may ask?
I have an answer but you’ll have to endure a little story first.
I’m ordinarily that guy that sits behind Eric and Taylor. I hope to be unassuming, unthreatening and approachable. But I see things from my comfortable little perch. Mostly, I see the back of Eric’s head.
And may I say: what a perfect head. It’s a head, Marty that a father can be proud of.
You know what else I see from that perch? I see Roland who provides me with endless amusement. I see a child who exemplifies what we adults have outgrown. Roland is a soul that feels everything deeply and does not resist the need to act and respond to her joy, her sadness or her frustration.
That’s the kind of preacher I want to give you this morning. I want to feel deeply and respond without shame or hesitation to the urgency and hope I feel for God’s people to excel.
That, dear brethren, is the end ——of the introduction.
For my pardon this I see: nothing but the blood of Jesus. If we wanted to present this morning in the briefest possible way, Jesus and Him crucified we might condense the Gospel story into these few words declare the morning’s sermon a success and go home. Would it not be presenting the truth of the Good News, and the adequacy of the redemptive blood and fully declare it to be enough for my redemption? The answer would be yes. But it might be likened to offering you breakfast to then sending you home unfulfilled. I care far too much for breakfast to do that.
In Acts ch 2 when Simon Peter, being filled with the Holy Ghost, preached Jesus their response is recorded:
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
They recognized and were amazed at the out pouring of the Holy Spirit but they RESPONDED to Simon Peter preaching the Gospel of Jesus.
Acts continues: Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers
Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly (devoted themselves to) in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
There was a believing in what Simon Peter said and an immediate adherence to what the APOSTLES taught.
In Act 15 the APOSTLES and elders were sought to decide matters concerning the gentile converts to THE WAY.
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Luke in his account wrote:
Luk 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Luk 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
Luk 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Luk 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
Assuring the authority and accuracy entrusted to the Apostles.
Another example of the authority of the Apostles and the influence they exerted is recorded in acts Ch 4.
They Had Everything in Common
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Act 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Act 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Act 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
There was a different kind of filling in Ch 5 of Acts:
Ananias and Sapphira
Act 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Act 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Act 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
Act 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Act 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
Act 5:8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Act 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Act 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. Act 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
This filling of Anania’s heart by Satan is the polar opposite of Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost. This filling is a filling to the very top of a vessel that was wholly and entirely empty. Their hearts we’re empty and I think irredeemable. They wanted the recognition and admiration of the people
Were absent any fear of an almighty God
Paul in 1Cor 11:34 dropped the looming statement that: ”When I get there I will Set things in order” Later translations read the much softer: “I will give you instructions” To SET-IN-ORDER and understand some of the etymology of Set is to realize that a physician SETS a broken bone. There is pain inflicted to correct what is broken that will result in healing. See how BIG so small a word can be.
I may prefer a little instruction but I might need a little setting in order.
Paul, who ordained and commissioned both Timothy and Titus had effectively set things in order and instructed Titus to correct (set in order) and to ordain elders in every city.
Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
So we have a succession of authority and leadership set in order that, properly observed, exists today.
That succession of devoting ourselves to:
the Apostles doctrine
to fellowship
to the breaking of bread
and to prayer.
That was a recipe for success then and will guarantee success in the assembly and our walk today.
The Apostles are gone but their doctrine survives in the word. The authority handed down by succession, survives
The fellowship and community we’ve attached ourselves to survives
The breaking of bread (Holy Communion) is remembered on the Lord’s day
Prayer is central to our devotion whether in private or in the assembly
Let go one and you may survive but you will not thrive
Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation
Paul so plainly says that bigger, better, greater and deeper things are required of us. Behaviors, acts, surrender of self that all partner with our salvation.
Taking seriously our walk with Jesus does not allow us to decide which precepts and directives we can follow and which we can consider optional.
It’s the time to pull the whole message together with the hope that I’ve presented this whole sermon in an effective and compelling way.
May I close with a question? Have you done all you can do to be victorious?
Paul, in the closing verses of Ephesians challenges Put on the full armor of God (use every resource available) and having done all you can: stand.
If you’re here this morning and have never named the name of Jesus or you’re here knowing you need more of Him and that He wants more of you
The alter is open and He will meet you there.
Rev_22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.