Chapter 16: The Acts of the Apostles: Acts
The Acts of the Apostles
Acts
Dr. Luke not only gave us one of the four gospels, but he also wrote a history of the early church. I suggest you pause and read the first chapter of the book of Acts, and as you read, note carefully what the believers were doing when they met in the upper room. Of course, the first thing they did was assemble, but that was just the beginning. The believers’ actions in this chapter provide an index of many key activities of God’s people, behaviors that would be seen throughout the book of Acts and throughout history—practices that ought to characterize every Christian and every church today.
Warning: don’t look ahead. Make your own list before reading further in this chapter. Thanks!
They Assembled (1:12–14)
The apostles had received last-minute instructions from Jesus and then watched Him ascend to heaven. Two angels gave them further instructions, and the men returned to their “headquarters” in the upper room in the city. The words together and one accord are used twenty-five times in the book. Those believers not only belonged to the Lord but also to one another: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common” (2:44). The church was unified, and this included the mother of our Lord and other women who were believers (1:14). Jesus prayed that His people might be one, even as He and the Father are one (John 17:20–22). Spiritually speaking, true believers are one in Christ, but from a practical point of view, the church is terribly divided today and has a difficult time with unity. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” wrote Paul (Heb. 10:24–25). If you want to know your responsibilities to other believers, take time to find the many “one another” statements in your New Testament.
They Prayed (1:14, 24)
There are thirty-three references to prayer in Acts, which is no surprise, for those early believers knew that Jesus spent hours in prayer and even prayed all night. He taught them to pray and was the perfect example of a prayer warrior. “And whatever you ask in My name,” Jesus told them, “that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name. I will do it” (John 14:13–14). Read Acts 2:44–47 and 4:23–31. When God’s people stop praying, they start depending on their own abilities and ideas and begin imitating the world’s methods. Many times over the years, in several different ministries, my wife and I have seen the Lord answer prayer for us and others, all to the glory of His name.
They Heard the Scriptures (1:15–26)
The Spirit of God moved Peter to quote Psalm 69:25 and 109:8, and this gave the believers the opportunity to replace Judas. The Lord wanted twelve apostles to minister to the members of the twelve tribes of Israel who would be attending Pentecost. Prayer and the Word of God always go together. The twelve apostles knew they were obligated to give themselves to the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:4). The Old Testament priests also followed that pattern (Deut. 33:10), so did the prophets (1 Sam. 12:23; Dan. 9:1–3) and our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 1:35–39). Believers need the Word of God so they know what to pray for and what God has promised to them (John 15:7). It has been said that all prayer and no Bible means heat but no light, while all Bible but no prayer means knowledge without action. God gives us the Scriptures so we know what to do, and He gives us prayer so we have the power to do it. Blessed are the balanced.
They Waited on the Lord (2:1)
The Holy Spirit was to come on the Day of Pentecost, so until that day dawned, the believers met daily for prayer and worship. To wait on the Lord doesn’t mean to do nothing. Rather, it means to give God opportunity to prepare us for what He is preparing for us: “Whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isa. 28:16). “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isa. 40:31). “Do not be like the horse or like the mule” (Ps. 32:9). (The horse is impetuous and wants to rush ahead, but the mule is stubborn and wants to lag behind or stand still.) The believer says to the Lord, “My times are in Your hand” (Ps. 31:15). Energetic people are prone to be impatient and challenge God’s schedule, but this can only lead to confusion and defeat. The apostles wanted Jesus to set up the Jewish kingdom (Acts 1:6–8), but the Lord has better things in mind. There is a time when He will do that, but first the Holy Spirit had to come and baptize the believers and empower them for service.
They Received from the Lord (2:1–4)
They received direction from the Word of God and power from the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is mentioned fifty-seven times in Acts, and His ministry is seen in every chapter except chapter 3. I can never forget the words I once heard Dr. A. W. Tozer say: “If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what the church is doing would go right on; and nobody would know the difference.” The Lord had promised His disciples that they would receive power (1:8), and He kept His promise. Believers today may claim that promise and receive the power they need to do the work God calls them to do. When you contrast Peter in the book of Acts with Peter in the Gospels, you see what a difference the Holy Spirit makes. If we wait upon the Lord, the power of prayer, the Holy Spirit and faith combine to bring victory in our warfare and blessing in our work. We can’t be givers until we learn how to be receivers.
They Continued to Obey the Lord
What did they do? They “continu[ed] daily with one accord … [and] the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (2:46–47). Today, most churches would rejoice if a few people were converted during the annual “revival,” but the members of the early church led people to Christ every day! I like that phrase “continuing daily” (2:46) because it speaks of faith and faithfulness. Many people begin well but gradually drop out. We all need to “continue daily,” whether at school or work or on vacation. We are always witnessing! However, who reaps the harvest is up to the Lord of the Harvest (John 4:34–38). “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).
Yes, God’s people should act “decently and in order” (14:40), but we should also be open to the freedom and variety that the Spirit occasionally wants us to experience. Dr. Bob Cook used to say to those of us who served with him in Youth for Christ, “If you can explain what’s going on, the Lord didn’t do it,” and G. Campbell Morgan called the accounts in Acts “the regular irregularity of the Spirit’s action.” In other words, people who are filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit may seem eccentric to some, but in God’s sight, they are continuing the work of the Lord, come what may. People thought Jesus was out of His mind (Mark 3:21–27) and that the apostle Paul was insane (Acts 26:24), and evangelist Dwight L. Moody was called “Crazy Moody” in Chicago. The world doesn’t understand Christians because Christians don’t conform to the world (Rom. 12:1–2). May it always be so!
ADVENTURE ASSIGNMENT #16
Dr. A. W. Tozer said that if God took the Holy Spirit out of this world, most of what churches are doing would go right on, and nobody would know the difference. Do you agree with him? Based on your answer, how may we improve our ministries?