As New Testament Christians approach the end of the 20th century and the dawn of a new millennium, some of its leading advocates are promulgating the view that the methods utilized to build strong New Testament churches in the 1900's are no longer valid for a new century. According to these "new wine" proponents, the advent of a new century automatically requires "new wine" strategies. The old is automatically out, and the new automatically in!

For "new wine" advocates, the strategy calls for the creation of cell groups, support and recovery groups, and small numerically based "care and share" groups. The more liberal "new wine" advocates insist that in addition to the above items, theatrics and entertainment, via drama and dance, form necessary ingredients.

While the "new wine" advocates may be intensely sincere, the writer believes they are sincerely wrong! As his rebuttal, the writer cites the book of Acts! The book of Acts contains timeless Scripture principles relevant to any century, which when consistently practiced will produce strong New Testament churches, whether it be the 1st century or the 21st century! These timeless Acts principles are delineated below, along with multiple Scripture references (not all references are cited) and brief comments concerning each one.

ACTS PRINCIPLE NO. 1

PREACHING OF SCRIPTURE

The prominence of preaching the Scripture in Acts is documented by the word usages. There are at least 93 references to the scripture in acts, while the word preach/preaching , etc. is directly mentioned 34 times, along with numerous word/phrases that clearly imply this function.

A partial list of references include Acts 2:14, 8:4, 8:5, 8:25, 8:35, 9:20, 13:5. 14:7, 14:21, 15:35-36, 16:10, 17:3, 19:13, 20:7. 9, 20:25, and 28:30-31.

This vigorous preaching included two sadly neglected vital truths, (along with many others) in much preaching today Ä the resurrection of Christ and the necessity of repentance.

Resurrection passages include 1:22, 2:24-33, 3:13-15, 4:10, 4:33, 10:40-41, 13:30, 17:3, 17:18, 17:31, 23:6, 24:15, 21, 26:8 and 26:23. The word repent/repentance can be found directly in such verses as 2:38, 3:19, 5:31, 8:22, 11:18, 18:30 and 19:4.

ACTS PRINCIPLE NO. 2

PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST

The exaltation of Christ in believer's daily lives was an uppermost consideration by saints in the primitive New Testament churches. This prime theme cannot be overemphasized. The magnification of the Saviour was the central occupation of apostolic Christians. Verses substantiating this grand face include Acts 4:13, 5:31, 7:54-56, 16:25, 19:17 and 27:23, plus numerous more references.

ACTS PRINCIPLE NO. 3

PROCLAMATION BY THE SAINTS

Daily witnessing was an intrinsic part of the regular ministries of New Testament saints. The daily verbal proclamation of the gospel was not an exceptional action in the early churches, but a normal activity for zealous saints.

The evangelistic mission was not allocated to just a few select Christians, but was considered a major responsibility and privilege of every saint. Verses corroborating this principle include Acts 5:42, 8:1-4, 16:25-31, 18:28, 19:8, 20:20 and 28:23.

ACTS PRINCIPLE NO. 4

POWER OF THE SPIRIT

The expressions "filled with the Holy Ghost", "full of the Holy Ghost" and similar terms are phrases you will find frequently n Acts. Enabled by the Holy Spirit's divine empowerment, these apostolic Christians became potent vessels in the establishing, edifying and building up of New Testament local churches.

Supportive verses include Acts 1:8, 2:4, 4:8, 4:31, 6:3, 11:24, 13:9, 13:52 and many references not delineated here.

ACTS PRINCIPLE NO. 5

PRAYERS OF SAINTS

A vital key to the success in the Great Commission endeavors in Acts was the fervent intercessory and supplicatory prayers of the saints. The mighty spiritual accomplishments delineated in Acts are inextricably linked to the intense fervent prayers of consecrated saints.

These 1st century Christians experienced firsthand the blessed privilege of beseeching heaven's throne and receiving heaven's answers. Substantiating verses include Acts 4:31, 6:4, 8:15, 9:40, 12:5, 13:3, 14:23, 20:36 and 22:17.

ACTS PRINCIPLE NO. 6

PURGING VIA SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

This discipline was divinely exercised by God in Acts 5:1-11 and humanly employed by Peter in Acts 8:9-25. Outside the book of Acts, but during the 1st century the Scripture records the following citations for examples of spiritual discipline upon (1) Disorderly brethren (II Thess. 3:6), (2) Disobedient brethren (II Thess. 3:14), (3) Dishonor able brethren (I Cor. 5), (4) Dictatorial brethren (II John 9-11), (5) Disuseful brethren (I John 5:16), (6) Defrauding brethren (Acts 5:1-11), and (7) Divisive brethren (Gal. 2:9-14)). The discipline exercised sometimes involved rebuke, while other times it required separation.

ACTS PRINCIPLE NO. 7

PERSECUTION FROM SOCIETY

While today's Christians do not relish the remembrance, the planting and growth of 1st century New Testament churches was inextricably tied to persecution from both religious and political sources.

It has been well stated that when the apostle Paul visited a city in the 1st century, four activities automatically occurred: (1) The gospel was preached; (2) sinners were converted; (3) a church was established; and (4) Paul wound up in jail.

Persecution citations in Acts include Acts 4:21, 5:17-18, 5:40-41), 6:12, 7:59, 8:1-4, 9:1-2, 9:24-27, 14:5, 17:5-9, 18:12, 21:27, 32, 22:24 and 26:11.

As Fundamentalism approaches the 21st century its great need is not the activation of "new wineskins" borrowed from questionable sources, but the renewed implementation of the timeless principles set forth in the book of Acts. †