Acts- Part Three
After Pentecost (Acts 2) one thing is obvious; those who witnessed the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus were filled with a new spiritual boldness to share with others. Thus began the church.
That dynamic power of the Spirit produced witnesses with personal testimonies that confirmed that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. They spread like scattered seed to Jerusalem, the surrounding areas, and ultimately to the nations as God had declared to Abraham:
I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me. Genesis 22:17-18
The book of Acts is a narrative which traces the movement or actions of the Holy Spirit through these Jewish believers. The first twelve chapters focus on one Jewish man, Peter, as he led his fellow countrymen in faith and courage. The gospel of Jesus Christ was presented to the Jew first (3:26; Rom. 1:16) and then to the nations but Peter’s calling was to his Jewish brothers and sisters.
As you read chapters three and four a few things become apparent: fulfilled prophecy and signs, wonders, and miracles performed by the apostles. Peter and John were at the temple at the right time for the Spirit to move on a crippled beggar. Right time? Yes, that’s how Beautiful Gate translates: the right hour gate, it was the right time for the Spirit to give evidence of His indwelling power. Peter stepped into this moment and preached, yet again, that Yeshua (Jesus, in Hebrew) is the Jewish Messiah that fulfilled their ancient prophecies. He mentioned their patriarchs in his message, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Acs 3:13) and quoted their beloved Moses’ words:
The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to Him in whatever He tells you. Acts 3:22
After Peter proclaimed the Scriptures describing the Messiah then the proofs of His resurrection power began. The Spirit that was poured out to give boldness in witnessing was extended to power for miracles, wonders, signs, healings, and deliverances. The religious leaders heard about these supernatural manifestations of God; thus began the persecution.
It’s said that the Book of Acts is a model for the church today; if true, then we should be ready for a moving of the Spirit:
*A desire for the baptism or filling of His Spirit (Acts 1:5),
*Power to share Jesus like we’ve never experienced before (Acts 1:8),
*Supernatural manifestations of the Spirit (3:6, 4:30-31),
*Increased prayer (4:24-31),
*And yes, opposition (4:18).
As we walk through the Book of Acts let’s remember this model and pray for His empowerment in our churches today because,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
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