The book of Acts is the history of the early church becoming a movement that spread globally. This book is all about what Jesus began to do and teach.
Luke wrote his gospel and the book of Acts. Luke was a doctor by profession, more than likely more affluent, and very well educated and more scholarly in his writing.
A few characteristics of the early church were:
- The belief that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh who died to pay the sin debt of every human and then rose from the dead.
- They gathered around a mission
- They stood for the sanctity of human life in an age that had little value of it.
- They stood for biblical sexuality in a culture where anything goes.
- They saw their vocation as their primary ministry.
The danger any church has is the allure of being less a movement and more institutional.
The questions for us are how do we stay on mission accelerating the movement?
Two Distinctives of the Early Church
1. The early Christians were empowered for the mission. Are you?
John 16:14 says, “He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”
As you live out God’s purpose for your life, it is important to live with a sense of dependency on the Holy Spirit. It is important to live as a witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. The early disciples embraced the mission. Have you?
Acts 2:44-47 says, “Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
Each one of the disciples was committed to spreading the gospel by loving God and loving people.
3. I am loved and sent. Do you believe that?
The ultimate proof that we understand how gracious God has been to us, is when we are gracious with people in our family, church, and neighborhoods.
Matthew 28:20-21 says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This is our mission.
Pastor Chris Williams
To learn more about Pastor Chris and his teaching, visit us on the web at fcfamily.org and make sure you subscribe to receive these weekly encouragements in your inbox.
