Action lessons from Acts

My book has exercises at the end of each chapter. Today I’m challenged to use Acts to list ways my church can enrich and expand its ministry. Not looking at what individual leaders did, this is what I found for myself along with the other Christians that attend out local church.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4–5) Do not move ahead until filled with the Holy Spirit!

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Ask God about everything that concerns us!

And they put forward two . . . And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship . . . .” (Acts 1:23–25) Pray for and follow God’s will when putting people in leadership!

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:4–6) Rely on the Holy Spirit for our verbal witness to others so they understand what we are saying. This is not so much about tongues, but about clarity!

“ . . . hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him . . . this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it . . . .” (Acts 2:22–25) Use the Scriptures to answer criticism and to tell others about Jesus!

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 . . . . (Acts 2:42–47) Make the Word of God, prayer, and the people of God the focus, the most important part of life!

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:23–30) When threatened, pray for boldness from God and continue to share His Word!

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common . . . And great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them . . . (Acts 4:32–34) Take care of each other!

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Oh my. Lord Jesus, just four chapters surprise me with the lessons for the church from the book of Acts. I don’t manage our local church, but You do. Enable me to be all that I can to do my part and encourage others as well. This is dynamic! This is a small sample of what You have called Your church to be and to do!

At the top of my list . . .

My all-time favorite book has been an all-time best-seller for decades. Actually this book is a collection of sixty-six books, and in that collection, I have some favorites too. It’s a toss-up at times. I love John’s Gospel and really enjoy Romans with its rich teaching of the faith, but also close to the top is Ephesians, a powerful book in the New Testament. At one time, I’d memorized most of it and still refer to it many times. This morning, I found out a bit more by researching the history of the city of Ephesus and comparing that with both books, Ephesians and Acts.

This city was the capital of Asia Minor, a Roman province and the setting for Acts 19. Paul taught there every day for two years and during that time, “The word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” (Acts 19:20). Soon a congregation was established with several elders.

However, there was much opposition to Christianity in Ephesus. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:32 that he fought beasts there, which could refer to human and demonic opposition. Historical records show the people of this city worshiped up to fifty gods and goddesses. The makers of their main idol angrily rioted because Paul’s message was a threat to their wealth gained from selling this idol to both residents and tourists. Of this and other false teachings, Paul warned the Ephesian elders:

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (Acts 20:28–31)

A few sections in Acts help me understand the richness of Paul’s letter to Ephesus. In that short epistle, he packed in a great deal of truth in the first half and a great deal of information in the second half about how to live out that truth. This is important to all Christians but was especially needed in that city because of its culture and religious beliefs as mentioned above.

This study in Acts has also helped me grasp a deeper understanding of the mind of the Lord. He motivated godly men to record what is important to our spiritual well-being, both now and for future generations. Some of what is told in Acts gives light on what was needed in the various churches who later received further instruction. This shows me that God understands their history and mine also. He prepares the people in His kingdom for the specific issues that will threaten their faith, now or later.

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Lord Jesus, as I sort, review and purge my bookshelves, I’m also thinking about the richness of my relationship with You and how You have led me through all sorts of trials and good times, teaching me and helping me get a fuller grasp of truth that I can conquer temptation and trust You no matter what comes my way. I see it in Your Word and in the history of the early church too. You are enriching my faith and encouraging me. You are a wonderful Lord and Savior, a dear Friend and my Helper in every need and situation. How I love You and all that Your Word says to me and offers to everyone who read it.

Freedom of speech

We watched a television show with the theme: freedom of speech. These days, it sadly seems missing for some groups and political correctness has taken its place. The show reminded me of a few people in my life who are transparent, an open book. They say what is on their mind and are easy to know and to talk to because they do not pretend or try to say only what they think people want to hear.

Reading the Bible, I get the sense that the Christians in Corinth were like that. For one thing, of all the churches Paul wrote to this one that is the most openly criticized. You can’t do that with fakes who hide their issues and negatives behind a façade that attempts to cover all their shortcomings.

In Acts, Paul left Athens, the political and intellectual capital of the Attic region of Greece and went to Corinth. Archaeological and literary evidence about Corinth paints a full picture of this city with various sociological, economic, and religious factors offering an understanding of Paul’s letters written to them later. It was rich in history and wealth due to its geographic advantages and cultural diversity but also a hub of Roman paganism and a hotbed for immorality. It hosted athletic games drawing many from across Greece that would become an audience to the gospel before returning to their diverse homelands so became a city of Christian witness.

Paul met a Jew named Aquila there with his wife Priscilla who left their home because Claudius commanded all Jews to leave Rome. They were all tentmakers by trade, supported by it and their mutual faith. Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. However, the Jews opposed and reviled him. He told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:6)

And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

Paul stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God. Then when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on him. They brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”

Paul was about to defend himself but Gallio told the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” He drove them from the tribunal and paid no attention to their disputes. (Acts 18:14–17)

This politician didn’t care about religious differences or use them for political self-serving. In a sense, this absence of self-interest is much like people without filters. He didn’t fake what he thought for selfish gain as do many others. This was a key factor in Paul’s freedom of speech in that city.

I can see why many in Corinth were receptive to the Gospel. A lack of desire to impress people sets people up to think clearly about what they hear. People without filters are not pressured by the opinions and ideas of others. They think what they think without trying to be something they are not and when truth comes along, peer pressure will not cause them to shut the door to accepting it.

Not only that, those who are not worried about what people think are strangely not shut down by criticism. They can more objectively listen to it. When I read Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, they show very little praise and lots of correction. It seems to me that this is because they are who they are, able to think objectively about criticism rather than build up walls and shut it out.

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Lord Jesus, this requires further study and observation yet I do see how this freedom to speak works in myself and others. As I become less fearful of being accepted as I am, I am also more able to be corrected when I am wrong. Paul may not have thought too much about this regarding his relationship with the church at Corinth. It likely just naturally happened. These Christians experienced freedom of speech, were without a ton of protective layers and more open to hearing truth, even genuine criticism. They could understand themselves and You without fear because their authorities didn’t enter into their disputes. This clues me on how to respond when others are at odds. If I refuse to take sides, it will help them more honestly examine the issues rather than needing to defend themselves. I now put greater value on the freedom to speak my mind. This freedom may cause a ruckus at times yet the world badly needs it!