Chapter 5 Acts Of The Apostles: The Early Church In Action

Chapter 5 Acts Of The Apostles: The Early Church In Action

The story of the Apostles in the book of Acts follows the life of ordinary folks going about their daily activities but somehow encountering the most transformative experience that causes a noteworthy change in their lives and the world. They weren’t superheroes or mystical beings but simply men living life: fishermen, carpenters, tax collectors, tent makers, etc. The change they had was due to the encounter they had with Jesus Christ after His resurrection.

His arrival ushered in a new life for them that turned the world around. These were men like you, who started with uncertainty but chose to be guided by an unwavering faith in the One who called them and in whom they believed.

A spectrum of human expressions and emotions is revealed in this book when tracing key events in the lives of the Apostles: from faith to fear and back to faith again, joy, hope, and even moments of greed and anger. In essence, they were humans with normal human emotions but touched by the hand of God.

The beauty of this book lies in God’s seamless ability to make something great out of nothing. This chapter is meant to show you the hope that lies in yielding completely to God and encourage you to stay steadfast on the path while proclaiming the good news you have also received

The Book Of Acts Introduced

The book of Acts is attributed to the esteemed Apostle Luke, who also authored a Gospel named after him. It is recognized as a seamless continuation of his detailed narrative of the life of Christ. St. Luke the Evangelist penned the Acts of the Apostles in Greek, beginning from ChrisCs birth and extending through the early days of the Church.

It is recorded that this book was composed between 70 CE and 90 CE and served as a comprehensive account of the unfolding events within the burgeoning Christian community.

His style and manner of writing, seen in the Book of Acts, can be ascribed to his occupation. His care for the most minute things and his attention to detail transcended his role as a physician. It was seen in how he meticulously gave a detailed account of the early Church:

the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the spread of the Gospel, Paul’s conversion, etc. He was learned, and that added advantage helped him, through the inspiration ofthe Holy Spirit, to encapsulate even the experiences of others when he wasn’t present at the happenings.

Luke was believed to be of Greek descent, with some historians suggesting the possibility of him originating from Antioch in Syria, a province under Rome. However, both claims remain unclear. What remains unequivocal is that Luke’s presence in Antioch resulted in a close companionship with Paul throughout his extensive missionary journeys.

In one of Paul’s letters, found in the book of Colossians, he affectionately addresses Luke as “the beloved physician.11 While Luke doesn’t explicitly mention Paul by name, his use of the inclusive “We” in certain sections ofthe book of Acts strongly implies his direct participation in several pivotal events alongside Paul.

Finishing what he started was important to him, as you will see in Acts 1:1-2, where he clearly stated to the recipient of the book of Acts, a man called Theophilus, that it was only right, that after talking about the life of Jesus, from his birth to the day He was taking up, he also discussed the lives and roles of the early apostles in the spread of the Gospel.

He was able to achieve that to a great degree, as he provided a well-researched record of events surrounding the growth of the early Christian community.

The presence of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament is vital for the full comprehension of the message it carries. The transition from Christ’s coming and how His disciples took up. It shows the series of events from Christ’s ascension to the coming of the Holy Spirit in the upper room;

how people left in doubt, worry, and fear after Christ’s death were filled with boldness and power at the coming of the Holy Spirit. Not having this as a part of the compendium of the New Testament would have made the entire book impossible to understand

Pentecost: The Coming Of Fire And Power

The Pentecost was initially a celebration of the Jews it was a time when they were expected to gather with their families and rejoice before Jehovah, their God. They were to observe this celebration with a free-will offering in their hands to Jehovah. It was a one-day feast, which took place fifty days after the Passover. It was observed regularly by the Jews, with many pilgrims trooping in from all around to take part.

Pentecost originated from the Greek word “fiftieth,” traditionally referred to as the Harvest feast or the Feast of Weeks, and took on new meaning for believers in Acts chapter 2. Beyond its original significance, it is now seen as the birthday of the Christian Church, marking the transformative arrival of the Holy Spirit.

This event, as recorded in Acts 2, was a fulfillment of the prophecy given to prophet Joel in Joel 2:28-32 concerning Pentecost. This fulfillment of the prophecy becomes one ofthe reasons why Jesus asked them to wait a while in Jerusalem before going out to proclaim the gospel

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days, I will pour out my Spirit.

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

For in Mount Zion and Jerusalem, there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.” (Joel 2:28-32)

The event sets Christianity apart and is a unique and beautiful style of worship. It is considered superior to other religions because of a promise fulfilled—the presence of the Holy Spirit among the believers.

After the resurrection of Jesus, He did not ascend immediately. He stayed a while, talking to His disciples and strengthening their faith. In the midst of that, their hearts were stirred up to go out and preach the gospel, but the power and boldness they needed to confidently declare the good news was not yet with them, and this power was Jesus’ promise to them, that they would receive only if they waited in Jerusalem.

So far, from the Old Testament to the first four books in the New Testament, records of the Spirit of God have only been mentioned to rest upon the men in whom He found favor and not within them. However, this method of receiving the Holy Spirit totally changed. The disciples, following Jesus’s instructions, waited in Jerusalem for ten days, a testament to their strong faith despite the absence of Jesus.

This was remarkable, considering the fear they must have felt after their leader’s brutal death. Instead of fleeing, a logical choice at the time, they stayed and waited. The outcome was the outpouring of God’s Spirit on all present in the upper room

On the day of the Pentecostal ceremony, the apostles were all together praying. The Bible describes the coming of the Holy Spirit as a sound from heaven like that of a mighty wind rushing in one direction and filling up the space they were in, followed by the appearance of what was described as “Cloven tongues of fire” resting on each person present. Something even more strange and magnificent was the aftermath of the sound and fire.

The disciples, with the help of the Holy Spirit, spoke in the languages of the different people present during the feast of harvest as a confirmation of His presence in them. What adds to the grandeur is that pilgrims gathered during the Pentecost, representing diverse languages.

Despite this diversity, the disciples were heard by all in their respective languages. Some of the persons present thought the disciples to be drunk, but Peter, Jesus’ disciple, who was once shy, now filled with so much confidence, boldly refuted their claim and confidently began to preach to all present.

He spoke of how Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had crucified, is their foretold Messiah and the living Christ, the One who had conquered sin and death and is now seated victoriously on the right-hand side of God

The People became remorseful, repented of their past deeds, and inquired of Peter what they should do. Peter led them to full repentance by telling them how they were to turn from their wicked ways, repent wholeheartedly, believe, and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal savior.

On that day, about three thousand were recorded to be saved and became a part of the body of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s teaching that day is considered one of the most important and powerful sermons in the whole of the New Testament. That moment ignited a fire that resulted in the spread of the Gospel among the Jews and beyond to the Gentiles

Great significance lies in the study of the event on Pentecost, from the meaning of the loud sound heard from heaven to the flaming fire and its choice in shape, even to the utterance they received. However, two key significances that must be highlighted are the fulfillment of God’s promise, which showed that God always keeps His word, and no matter how long it takes, we are encouraged to wait because it will surely come to pass, as seen in Habakkuk 2:3.

The second would be the importance of the coming of the Holy Spirit. God did not send His Spirit to have you sitting down; He imbues men with power by His Spirit to do His will seamlessly. This is evident with Apostle Peter and the other Apostles, who cowered in fear a while ago, having received the Holy Spirit, and became bold enough to lead three thousand souls to salvation in a day.

After the outpouring of God’s Spirit, the apostles and all other followers of Jesus actively continued in the propagation and proclamation of the good news, which is God’s love for the world.

The Spread Of The Gospel Among The Apostles

The event at Pentecost led to a new expression of God’s kingdom, so profound that it had most of the Jews of old completely sold out on the Gospel. It is a common occurrence to miss out on keywords and phrases as one studies the Bible, but keen attention must be paid to each word. This helps to provide a balanced understanding of what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach in that verse.

At the start of Acts 3, a word was intentionally used, irNowM in certain translations and “One day” in others. This word or phrase showed a transition, a change, a highlight, or a marker indicating that something different from the norm was about to take place or had taken place, and you are now just witnessing the results of that change.

This right here is noteworthy because it shows men who were regular fishermen and tent makers beginning to do things that will leave others in awe of God.

The story says that Peter and John, on their way to the temple just as they had done in the past, came upon a man who was lame from birth and was begging for alms at the gate (known as “the Beautiful Gate”) of the temple. Although this was not the first time they had seen this man, their encounter with the Holy Spirit would make all their experiences going forward novel and unique.

Raising his hands, he sought alms from them, but this time, Peter had better help to offer the lame man – Jesus. Peter clearly stated that he had neither silver nor gold on him, but what he did have, he would give to him, and calling on the name of Jesus, he commands the lame man to rise and walk. On that very day, the lame man received both spiritual and physical healing.

There is so much to learn from this singular story that applies to your life today. Often, the wants you so desperately crave can become a thick cloud, blinding you from the all-encompassing power of God. The lame man only had his sights set on the gold he could receive and almost missed the possibility that he could receive both spiritual and physical liberation

From that “Now” in the first verse of Act 3, the spread ofthe Gospel was like a dam breaking loose, taking up all that was on its path. The Bible records that more and more people believed, and multiple signs were given by God through the hands of the Apostles in Acts chapter 5

“The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join the apostles, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, as time went on, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed Acts 5:12-16 (New International Version)

The Persecution Of The Early Church And Their Challenges

With the rise and spread of the gospel came profound challenges. In Acts 8, you are introduced to the great persecution that was committed against the believers in Jerusalem. They were about to have their fair share of trials and tribulations, just as Jesus had pre-informed them.

Right from the time of Jesus, the religious authorities of old, the Pharisees and Sadducees, have posed a strong opposition to the spread of the gospel. Seeing Jesus and his followers as a threat to their authority and leadership, they strongly fought against the advancement of the gospel

Before the killings came, the opposition started as threats, which led to imprisonment. Before Peter and John were imprisoned, they were warned by the authorities not to preach the gospel, speak, or teach in the name of Jesus, which fueled them to declare Christ even more boldly. With the help of the Holy Spirit in them, they did not cower in fear, and God performed something marvelous for them in the prison.

An Angel came that night, released them, and encouraged them to go into the temple and boldly declare the gospel, which astounded the sect of Sadducees. The persecution escalated quickly with the arrest of Stephen, one of the seven chosen for ministry. He was accused of blasphemy and stoned to death, becoming the first martyr of the early Church. Steven, who was stoned for the things he had said, became a trailblazer for future persecutions.

Although the arrest of Peter and John after the healing of the lame man is the first record of the opposition the Church faced, it did not get heated until chapters 7 and 8.

The persecution they faced and how they handled it further emphasizes the importance of the apostles waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Rather than serve as a damper, the persecution became a catalyst that greatly fueled the spread ofthe gospel all over Judaea and into parts of Rome

The persecution and killing of Steven were led by a man called Saul of Tarsus, whom you will later know as Apostle Paul. His transformation from an avid persecutor to an active follower is one worth discussing. Following his leading in the persecution of Steven, Saul began a campaign against anyone who was a follower of Jesus, leaving the believers scrabbling in his wake as he entered into their homes and dragged them out to prison

He was quickly becoming a thorn in the side of the Church, but he had no idea how great the plans God had for him were. On his way to Damascus, after receiving information that there were believers gathered there, he had an encounter that would change his life forever.

While on his way with two other companions, a bright light shines down on them, and he encounters Jesus, which marks his turning point to becoming one of the most revered apostles of the early

Church and to date. There is so much to glean from Paul’s experience; the drastic change must not have been easy for him. At the start of his work with God, he must have felt lonely because most of the believers had yet to trust him. However, being completely changed, he seized the opportunity to have a relationship with his old crew. Aside from that, moving on from the guilt of the atrocities he committed in his time of ignorance would not have been an easy step

Even with the conversion of Paul, the challenges continued, but for every challenge, the spread of the gospel soared higher. The opposition came from both the Jewish communities and the Gentile community, which raised internal issues between the Jewish believers and the Gentile converts. Members of the Jewish believers considered the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles wrong.

They would not want to associate with them, and some of the apostles, like Peter, also held this belief. It took a vision from God to change his view on that. Peter believed that before redemption would be extended to the Gentile community, they would first have to be converted and become Jews. God revealed to him in a vision that none of the things created by Him can be considered

unclean when He, God, had not done so. In the vision, God instructed Peter to kill and eat various beasts, and Peter would not because he considered them unclean. He had the same vision three times before coming to understand what it meant: that God accepted any man who would fear God and work in righteousness and that such man should be accepted by him as well. It was after this that Paul came to him, and Peter was able to accept him in Acts 10

The lesson here is not to be a judge but to love and receive everything and everyone with the love of God. This newfound understanding would help bridge the gap and aid in the propagation of the gospel all over
the world

It is easy to get lost in the praises of Paul and miss seeing him as a mere human, helped by God. He had many struggles but was able to overcome them all by the power of God at work in him. When you go through life’s challenges, you must know that your situation is not unique to you and, most importantly, that the power of God is available to help you get through and come out stronger. Remember, just like Apostle Paul, you are not alone.

Moment of Reflection

1. The Day of Pentecost is a pivotal moment in Acts, marked by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. What are your thoughts on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life today?
2. The book of Acts portrays the early Christian community as sharing everything in common. Reflect on the concept of communal living and generosity. How might this principle be applied around you today?
3. The conversion of Saul (later Paul) is a significant turning point in Acts. Have you ever experienced a transformative moment in your beliefs or values? How did it impact your perspective and actions?
4. The missionary journeys of Paul and other apostles highlight the spread of Christianity to diverse cultures. How do you feel about sharing your newfound faith with others?
5. Acts recount several instances of miraculous healings. If you could perform a healing miracle, what ailment or condition would you choose to address, and why?
6. Reflect on the concept of resilience in the face of persecution, as seen in the lives of early Christians in Acts. How can their experiences inspire your perseverance in challenging circumstances?
7. Peter’s vision addresses his questions on the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith. Reflect on moments in your life when you have had to navigate and reconcile differences in beliefs or practices with others.

The story of the early Church shows a union of divine intervention and human determination, which resulted in explosive results. See yourself today through the lens of the early Church and each Apostle talked about in the book of Acts. There are no limitations when you choose to walk and work hand in hand with the Holy Spirit; the results are beyond

anything you could ever fathom. The significance of the book of Acts emphasizes the peace, joy, and confidence that Matthew 19:26 brings when it says,