The Church in Acts: Part 2
Here is Part 2 of what I learned about the early church through reading Acts.
They used the power of Christ in them
In the second chapter of Acts, those in the upper room, waiting together for the Comforter as Jesus told them to, were filled with the Holy Spirit. They used that Holy Spirit power of God working through them, as was intended! They prophesied, saw visions, dreamed dreams, did signs and wonders. They healed and delivered people from demons. This was how God was showing them to live and work, through the power of the Holy Spirit, of Christ in them, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
They exhibited the power of Christ in them, and many knew it. For example, people waited for Peter's shadow to fall on them as he passed (Acts 5:15)! Everyone brought with sickness of unclean spirits were healed. When Paul sen out pieces of cloth he had toughed, people were healed and delivered (Acts 19:12).
They rose the dead through the name of Jesus (Acts 9:36-41, 20:9-10). I can't say I really see many people in the church today doing that...at least, not in our Western churches. But...why not? Jesus did it. The early church did it. Why don't we?
They fasted, prayed, and ministered
They gave themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). They ministered to the Lord. They fasted. They called on certain apostles to be separated for certain work, then fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, and sent them. They always laid hands on those they sent.
They followed the Spirit
They always followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. They were sent forth by the Holy Spirit, and forbidden to go places by the Holy Spirit. And they listened, and followed.
They used the power of Christ in them
In the second chapter of Acts, those in the upper room, waiting together for the Comforter as Jesus told them to, were filled with the Holy Spirit. They used that Holy Spirit power of God working through them, as was intended! They prophesied, saw visions, dreamed dreams, did signs and wonders. They healed and delivered people from demons. This was how God was showing them to live and work, through the power of the Holy Spirit, of Christ in them, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
They exhibited the power of Christ in them, and many knew it. For example, people waited for Peter's shadow to fall on them as he passed (Acts 5:15)! Everyone brought with sickness of unclean spirits were healed. When Paul sen out pieces of cloth he had toughed, people were healed and delivered (Acts 19:12).
They rose the dead through the name of Jesus (Acts 9:36-41, 20:9-10). I can't say I really see many people in the church today doing that...at least, not in our Western churches. But...why not? Jesus did it. The early church did it. Why don't we?
They fasted, prayed, and ministered
They gave themselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). They ministered to the Lord. They fasted. They called on certain apostles to be separated for certain work, then fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, and sent them. They always laid hands on those they sent.
They followed the Spirit
They always followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. They were sent forth by the Holy Spirit, and forbidden to go places by the Holy Spirit. And they listened, and followed.
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