Devoted - We Are Cross+Crown
Acts 2:42-47
Matthias Haeusel
Part of Devoted—Acts 2:42
January 12, 2025

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. —Acts 2:42-47

DEVOTED: WE ARE CROSS+CROWN

  • Biblical Teaching: Why we don’t read the Bible
  • Ordinances: Baptism & Communion
  • Giving: Generosity & Obedience
  • Worship: Our Response to God
  • Community: A Reconciled People on Mission

Fundamental:
Inerrancy and Authority of Scripture

  • The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12-13).

Core Value
We value Biblical truth instead of cultural relativism. We value the teaching and application of the Bible as the source of truth and the standard for life.

What is the Bible?

  • Library of 66 Books - 39 in the Old Testament 27 in the New Testament
  • 40+ Authors - from farmers to Kings and Fishermen to Doctors
  • Written over a 1500 year time period - 1400 BC to 90 AD
  • Written in 3 languages - Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek
  • Written on 3 Continents - Europe, Asia, Africa

Benefits of Reading the Bible

  • Know God better and love Him more
  • Become more like Jesus
  • Confidence and Knowledge of the Truth
  • Wisdom and Guidance
  • Kept from Sin
  • More Hopeful because we learn about the love and faithfulness of God

The Power of 4

The Power of 4 Effect is a study by the Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) that found that engaging with the Bible at least four times a week has many benefits:
 

Mental health
People who read the Bible at least four times a week are 30% less likely to struggle with loneliness and 32% less likely to experience anger issues.

 
Relationships
People who read the Bible at least four times a week experience 40% fewer relational issues, especially in marriage.
 
Sharing faith
People who read the Bible at least four times a week are 228% more likely to share their faith with others.
 
Memorizing scripture
People who read the Bible at least four times a week are 407% more likely to memorize scripture.
 
Discipling others
People who read the Bible at least four times a week are 231% more likely to disciple others.
 
Spiritual growth
People who read the Bible at least four times a week are less likely to feel spiritually stagnant.
 
Resource Page: https://www.centerforbibleengagement.org/research

Why Don’t we Read the Bible?

  • Objections
  • Struggles

 
Objections:

  • Legend
  • Power Grab
  • Culturally obsolete and offensive

Struggles:

  • Time
  • Understanding
  • Where do I start

What Should Cause Us to Want to Read the Bible?

  • Spiritual Benefits
  • Emotional Benefits
  • Jesus’ View on Scripture

Jesus’ View on Scripture

  • Matthew 5:17-18
  • Luke 16:17
  • John 10:35
  • Matthew 12:39-42
  • John 17:17

Jesus loved the Scriptures

  • He prayed them
  • He taught them
  • He lived them
  • He had them memorized

We love the Bible because we are followers of Jesus!

I don’t trust Jesus because I trust the Bible, I trust the Bible because I trust Jesus. —Andrew Wilson

What Bible did Jesus read?

Law - Prophets - Writings = Our 39 Old Testament Books
 
But what about the New Testament?

  • Jesus commission to His disciples

7 Principles for Interpretation

  1. Plain reading
  2. Genre of Literature and Literary Devices
  3. Context
  4. Authorial Intent
  5. Interpret the Implicit by the Explicit
  6. Interpret the Narrative by the Didactic
  7. Pay attention to Symbols and Culture

How to Get Started

  • Pray
  • Read
  • Journal
  • Community