The Church in Acts: Part 3
Now for Part 3 of what I learned about the early church while reading Acts.
They knew they had the truth and made sure it got out
They were bold about the truth. They knew it had to be told, and that it was truth! They let no one quiet them. Because of this, people accused them of being crazy. Because of this, they were expelled from places...and made a lot of people angry. But, they obeyed the Lord and His word, even when it was something that seemed dangerous, they didn't get why, or they didn't want to.
They went through trials because of their commitment to God
They were put in prison countless times. They were beaten. They were stoned. They were thought to be gods and had to dissuade the people that no, their only "power" was that of God working through them (Acts 14:11+)! Some might not see that as a trial, but...I'm sure that also tested them! They were set before council, to which they replied "We ought to obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:24-29). People had plans to kill them multiples times.
They were often saved because of their commitment to God
Yeah, all of those plans to kill them? Circumvented countless times. God sent people to protect them, or get them out of sticky situations. For example, escaping danger by basket (Acts 9:25). Many times the Bible mentions them "slipping away" or being told of the plans against them. God looks out for His people! And, how about how Paul and Barnabus prayed and sang and were released from prison (Acts 16:16-40) or how the others prayed for Peter when he was in prison (basically awaiting execution because King Herod saw what delight executions of the Christians gave the Jews) and he was released (Acts 12:1-17)?
They didn't care what happened to them, as long as it brought glory to God
No matter what happened to them, it didn't matter. As long as they were following the Spirit's lead and doing what God told them - to spread the news of Jesus Christ to all the earth - they were satisfied. They rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41). They were willing to be martyred, and were martyred. But it only spread the Gospel further. During all of the persecution? Acts 8:4 - "Those scattered abroad during persecution went everywhere preaching the word." The early church "Hazarded their lives for the name" of Jesus Christ (Acts 15:26). They knew what was important. So, as it says in Acts 9:31, they walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
They were often saved because of their commitment to God
Yeah, all of those plans to kill them? Circumvented countless times. God sent people to protect them, or get them out of sticky situations. For example, escaping danger by basket (Acts 9:25). Many times the Bible mentions them "slipping away" or being told of the plans against them. God looks out for His people! And, how about how Paul and Barnabus prayed and sang and were released from prison (Acts 16:16-40) or how the others prayed for Peter when he was in prison (basically awaiting execution because King Herod saw what delight executions of the Christians gave the Jews) and he was released (Acts 12:1-17)?
They didn't care what happened to them, as long as it brought glory to God
No matter what happened to them, it didn't matter. As long as they were following the Spirit's lead and doing what God told them - to spread the news of Jesus Christ to all the earth - they were satisfied. They rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41). They were willing to be martyred, and were martyred. But it only spread the Gospel further. During all of the persecution? Acts 8:4 - "Those scattered abroad during persecution went everywhere preaching the word." The early church "Hazarded their lives for the name" of Jesus Christ (Acts 15:26). They knew what was important. So, as it says in Acts 9:31, they walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
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