THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH AGE

 

Intro into the book of Acts

 

Kent Hughes wrote in his commentary on Acts, he said, “One reason I love to study the book of Acts is its uniqueness. It is the sourcebook for the spread of early Christianity.”

 

The birth of the church is God’s mission for

the world to know the gospel.

 

The work is finished, but unfinished! In the sense Christ has conquered sin and death completely, so that sinners can enter in, through repentance and faith, and nothing may be added to it. But now God has purposed the church to be His hands and feet with the gospel that saves to uttermost parts. The Book of Acts is the beautiful beginnings of His church, God’s plan, for God’s people to grow in the Scriptures, and to worship Him in the new birth. 

Luke writes to his dear friend Theophilus (his name means “friend of God” we don’t know much about this man, but we do know according to Luke he is “most excellent” We read in Luke’s first letter, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:1-4. This is the second volume in the unified, two-part work that we know today as Luke-Acts., or some call it Lucan Theology. These two books were written consecutively with each other. Many though this was one book, but it was divided in agreement. (Estimated time of the writings for both letters is around 60ad - 61ad. Both books were written by the same author, Luke, a traveling coworker to Paul in his final greeting. “Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.” Col. 4:14. This is clear from the book’s introduction, in which Luke says, “I produced my first volume “book” (that is, the Gospel) about all the things Jesus began to do and teach” Acts 1:1. In this opening line, Luke is also giving a clue as to what the book of Acts will be about. In volume one, Jesus began “to do and teach,” and so volume two will naturally be about what Jesus continued to do and teach to the church.

 

The book of Acts is the first volume of church history.

The Book of Acts records the story of the church from its explosive beginnings on the Day of Pentecost, to the imprisonment at Rome of its greatest missionary, Paul. The Book of Acts describes how the Spirit of God superintended, controlled, and empowered the church to glorify God. The Book of Acts is a work of apologetics, a defence of the truth claims of the Christian faith in any generation, our hope for eternity. Remember what Peter said in his first letter, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:14-16. The Book of Acts authenticates the apostles’ teachings and the transformation of Paul’s life and his impact on the beginning church age.

 

The gospel spread from Jerusalem to Rome through the ministry of Peter and Paul, highlighting the inclusion of Gentiles and the triumph of the message despite intense persecution. The story begins with Jesus’ ascension and the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, equipping believers to be witnesses. The ministry of Peter in Chapters 1-12 …. Focuses on the church's establishment in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, including the conversion of Cornelius, which opens the door for Gentile believers. The ministry of Paul in Chapters 13-28…..From Paul’s conversion from persecutor to missionary, detailing his journeys planting churches across the Roman Empire. In the Book of Acts, we witness the unstoppable spread of the "good news" from a local Jewish movement into an international, multiethnic church around the world.

 

The reception from society when the apostles perform miracles, and the church faced extreme persecution, which unexpectedly accelerates the spread of their message.

Acts is a significant book for several reasons John MacArthur said in his commentary on Acts. John said, “With the epistles, but without Acts, we would have a much difficulty understanding the flow of the early history of the church. With it, we have a core history around which to assemble the data in the epistles, enriching our comprehension of them. The book follows first the ministry of Peter, then of Paul. From it we learn principles for discipling believers, building the church, and evangelizing the world.”

 

The Book of Acts is not a theology book but a book of history, yet it emphasizes the doctrinal truth concerning salvation, the Holy Spirit, and how the church functioned during the time of persecution; and how they lived by the example for us to follow after. That’s what makes this book so amazing and encouraging as we go through it because it presents both a theology and a history of the church. The Book of Acts bridges the transition from the dispensation of the Law to the dispensation of grace. The church represents the grace given from our failed attempt to keep the Law; yet the church doesn’t remove the Law (Ten commandments) in any way. The Book of Acts commends Christianity, and directs the readers attention to the high character of the Christian, and to the fact they were law-abiding people.

 

Acts direct our focus and attention toward God’s ultimate purposes in redemptive history: the salvation of a people for Himself from every nation. The book of Acts reveals how the family of God are to live in the new birth. The early church, laid the ground work for us today to live by, preparing God’s people for the return of Jesus, as we read in (v11). The opening of Luke’s letter recounts how the risen Jesus spent some 40 days with His disciples teaching them “about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3) connecting back to the story of Luke’s gospel account. The book of Acts begins with the risen King Jesus instructing the disciples about life in His Kingdom. (v6-v8)

 

The work is finished but not finished.

 

This is why Jesus told His disciples before His sacrificial death that their ministry and the future church would reach beyond the borders of Israel. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12. Jesus has given a command, a charge to go into the world, and proclaim the good news of the gospel. The church isn’t a hiding place to sit on your hand or cover your mouth. The church has been intrusted with the gospel message to the nations. Everyone one of us are missionaries to our own county, our own backyard. Paul wrote, “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thess 2:4. We have the gospel entrusted to us, by the grace of God, that He has seen fit to give it to us. God, help us to be faithful with it. This is why I love the church; we have been given a great privilege to continue His finished work, that’s why Jesus said, “I will build my church” Matt 16:18. The church will take this form in the future after His death burial, resurrection and ascension, and here we are today doing what Peter, and the rest of them were called to do in the book of Acts. The amazing grace that brought each, and everyone us, who believe the Gospel to be used for His glory in this place, were the church. This is what makes the church so unique...it’s made up of different people who were lost at different times, and had different circumstances of life, when they gospel got a hold of their lives.

Some grew up in..... 

Christian homes

None Christian homes

Broken homes

Happy homes

Poor homes

Rich homes

Loving homes

Unloving homes

Abusive homes

Non-Abusive homes

Some of us grew up in an environment where we were.....

Raised by grandparents

Dropped out of school

Lived on the streets

Involved in drugs and alcohol

Stealing and reckless living

Pornography and pre-marital relations

Violence

We all come from different walks of life; but the one thing we all have in common....no matter where you’re from, is that we are all... Wretched sinners saved by His grace. Depraved human beings, with new hearts to do what is honoring unto the Lord. Once was lost, and without a hope, and a prayer, but the gospel brought us near. Unable to save ourselves, but God is mighty to save, sinners, for His glory and our eternal good. The beauty of that is the unfailing love of Jesus Christ, found in the Gospel. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8. The Book of Acts reveals that God’s plan for the church is absolutely unique and we have been given the greatest message in the world to tell lost sinners. This charge is given in (v8) to proclaim the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is the realm where God rules, or the compass of salvation, which is more than millennial kingdom. There is also universal kingdom which refers to God’s sovereign rule over all of His creation. “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19 And there is a mediatorial kingdom which refers to God’s spiritual rule and authority over His people on earth through redeemed children. (Adam, the patriarchs, Moses, Joshua, the judges, prophets, the kings of Isreal and Judah). We would be in the mediatorial kingdom, where God's sovereign rule over the earth executed through a divinely appointed human representative… the church age. God mediates His spiritual rule over the hearts of His people through the church. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.” Rom 14:18. God uses the church to demonstrate the grace given; but also, the message with which one can receive this same grace. (v8)

The message (v8)

 

First, we read that Jesus says, ”You will be my witnesses…” “Witnesses” comes to mean “martyrs” their blood would become the seed of the church. In other words, as second century theologian Tertullian said, “Many were drawn to faith in Christ by observing how calmly and joyously Christians met their death.” Why were the early believers so joyous and calm in their deaths? The genuine hope of the finished work of Christ in the gospel. What are we to be witnesses to? Our transformed lives through the gospel confession. What is the message? Our Might Champion has made it possible for mankind to find redemption, to be a at peace with God through fellowship with Him. We have the gospel; we have a solemn responsibility before God, and man; to be faithful to proclaim His absolute truth, to one another, and this fallen generation. The church has the only message that can save your soul from judgement and death. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

 

Everyone of us has a ministry. And you can’t say, “We didn’t know this”. We have been beckoned by God’s word, to rescue those who are being taken away to death. And we will stand accountable to God according our work in response to that command. Remember the word, Solomon used for the gospel witness in Prov 24:11? He used the “urgent verb’ “Rescue” this is to free something, or someone, from danger or evil. Its an imperative, command, a verb, that requires action. The Gospel is ultimately God’s rescue mission to save sinners for His glory and honor. As Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10. Jesus came to rescue the lost The church is called to rescue the perishing, not to divinely save, because we can’t save anyone; but to go into the world with the message that can save. The church is not merely a building for service, but a active, urgent rescue mission, designed to bring people out of darkness and into community with God. The church is called to be active, alert, and a Spirit-led group of believers that carries hope into communities, rather than just a place to sit. The church has the greatest message to share with the world, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Rom 10:14-15. And in verse (17) Paul says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

 

Rescue, gives evidence that something needs be done, to help those who are being taken away to death, or those who are stumbling their way to death. Jesus gives one final charge before He ascended into glory; He has one final duty for the believer, for the church to do, and that is be His witnesses.

How can we be His witness, when

we have never seen Him?

The obvious answer is your changed life, and the impact the gospel has played in your life, which brought you to real repentance of sin, and a real faith in Him alone. It’s the gospels effectual transformation over one’s life when they know they need a Saviour, because they are a great sinner. If the church is to reach the lost world with the good news of the gospel, believers must “sanctify Christ” in their hearts How a Christian live their life lays a platform of integrity and believability for the effectiveness of personal witnessing in the gospel proclamation. We are all ambassadors to be truth tellers as Paul reminded Timothy, “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Tim 2:23-26. We take risks, as witnesses of His grace to make moves, depend on God, and pray for clarity as you do gospel ministry with those who are still living in darkness. They did this by beginning in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. (v8b)

Luke chronicles the irresistible march of Christianity, starting in Jerusalem and ends throughout the world. As we go through this letter of 28 chapters, we will move though those expansions of the church, and glean the wisdom to apply to our church. This beginning was to dramatically alter the course of history and the spread of the gospel message which continues well past the book of Acts. We look to the early church and we will see they turned the world upside, with their genuine love for Christ, and His gospel to reach the lost, sacrificially. May we…. learn, change, and reproduce, what they lived their lives by for the glory of God and His gospel.

 

I realize that is hard today especially when…..

We live in a wicked country

With so many wicked people

Doing wicked things

Saying wicked things

Wicked media

Wicked social media

 

But understand! We have been called precisely for a time such as this to be His witnesses of the gospel; as those before us did, when He established the church. We are exactly the people needed, at this exact time, we have been called to live for Him, as His witnesses for the gospel; we are to live openly, unashamedly for the gospel. He called to such a time as this, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:10-12

 

Acts direct our focus and attention toward God’s ultimate purposes in redemptive history, which is the salvation of a people for Himself from every nation. And this is the message God has given us; this is the message for the church to proclaim to the world. For the believer, this should be our goal to please Him in the fulfillment of the task He has assigned to us, to walk in the footsteps of Christ. 

The work is finished but unfinished.