Acts 1

We start on a new book today – Acts of the Apostles.  This is like the sequel to the Gospel according to Luke and introduces us to the second sub-theme of our main theme “What is Christianity?”.

It is about the Church

This is the subtheme we will explore as we read Acts and later Ephesians.

Bible Passage:  Acts 1

We are often told that the church during the Acts of the Apostles is the model church that we should strive to emulate.  So as we are reading Acts, let us consider what the Church of God should look like and what we ought to do as well to make sure we are His Church.

Today’s passage marks the start of the preparation of the building up of the Church.  Here are some things that came out strongly for me… my list may be different from yours…. so please do share

It’s About Doing and Teaching

Luke starts off Acts by reminding us that in his Gospel, it was an account that Jesus began both to do and teach (Acts 1:1).  Luke’s Gospel only describes the beginning of Jesus’ work.  Acts describes its continuation, and the work of Jesus continues to our present day.

We can see quite clearly that during His 40 days before His ascension, Jesus spent His time teaching and proving His resurrection.  Jesus was the ultimate example of one who does what He teach.

Ezra, the scribe was described as someone who ” prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10).

This was the model Jesus showed.  And we can see that Jesus wanted His disciples to learn also and then to teach others also.

It’s About Obedience

Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem and pray for the Holy Spirit.

This they did in full obedience.  Not just the leaders – the elite ones.  The other followers, including some women folk, also joined in.

Imagine being packed together in an upper room, all 120 of them.  Hot, stuffy, cramped communal gathering.  Praying and waiting for a promise of something the world has never seen or felt before.  This they patiently waited in obedience… all because Jesus told them to.

It’s About Being of One Mind

Acts 1:14 tells us that despite such a diverse group of people gathering together in the Upper Room, they prayed in one accord… being of one mind.

This unity is remarkable given that when we see the disciples in the Gospels, they always seem to be fighting and bickering.  What had changed?  The people were all still the same and differences still remained,  But the resurrected Jesus in their hearts was greater than any difference.

How often do we pray in unity nowadays?  Do we even do it?  And even if we do… normally it is for only one day.  These disciples spent 10 days together praying with one mind.

It’s About Evangelism

Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit comes on them, they would become witnesses of Jesus – all over the world.

When I read it today aloud, I realize that perhaps it was not a command.  Instead, it sounded like a simple statement of fact…

“…you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Acts 1:8

The words shall be are in the indicative, not the imperative.  Jesus was not recommending that they become witnesses, He was saying they would be witnesses.

If we want to be witnesses, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit!  This is far more important than any course in evangelism.

Note that the progress of the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem (Acts 1-7), to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-12), and then to the end of the earth (Acts 13-28) becomes the outline of Acts.

Jesus could have easily set up churches in all these places Himself.  But He wants us to be part of this heavenly work.  He wants us to work with Him.  He does not leave us without the strength to do it.

So why is it so few of us are doing it?  Something to think about today.

It’s About the Choosing the ‘Right’ Leaders

We are going to have our AGM in February and this year, we will be electing the Ex-Co members again.

I was reminded of this when I read about how they chose Matthais to take the place of Judas.

What did they do?

They prayed first (Acts 1:14, 24).  This was easy for them because they have already been praying in one accord together for some time.  Should we not get started?

Also, this was an example of the disciples doing what their Master did.

Jesus prayed before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12-13).  Now the disciples needed to choose a new apostle?  They prayed.

They cast their lots (Acts 1:26) showed that they relied on God and wanted God to help them make a very important decision.  “The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.” (Prov 16:33).

If we prayed and had total trust in God, how many wrong decision would you think we would make?

Just consider…

The disciples were in obedience, they were in fellowship, they were in prayer, they were in the Word, they wanted to do God’s will, they did what Jesus would od, and they did what they could do to rely on God.

These are just some of the ‘bricks’ that we all need to start building God’s perfect church.  Are there more you have found in Acts 1?

Why not just leave a comment and tell us!