The book of Acts was written to give an accurate account of the foundation and growth of the Christian church. It outlines Peter and Paul’s ministry after Jesus’ crucifixion. Today, we can be encouraged by their work to go and be the church.
It simply started with what Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is The Great Commission.
Go and be the church.
Luke, the author of the book of Acts, is focused on spreading the gospel and growing the church along with the other apostles. Those preaching the gospel alongside Luke were ordinary people who were empowered by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus is accepted into your life, the Holy Spirit dwells inside you giving you the words to say and the courage to say them.
Go and be the church.
In Acts chapter 2, we see Peter boldly address a crowd about Jesus. Peter!!! The one who denied even knowing Jesus (John 18:15-18). But Jesus forgave him, and now we see a more humble and bold Peter. In front of a crowd, Peter proclaims “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). If Peter can make the mistake of denying Jesus and then follow it up with evangelism, so can you.
Go and be the church.
Then, the church in Jerusalem begins to grow. These Jews “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47). They displayed a healthy Christian community by reaching out to their neighbors, displaying brotherly love, and speaking truth. This was contagious and the church grew.
Go and be the church.
The early church had its fair share of problems too. They experienced imprisonment, beatings, and even death. Despite facing persecution, Peter reminds the apostles, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29) What a great reminder for us today too.
Go and be the church.
Stephen was the first person to die for his faith (Acts 7:60). He not only died on his knees crying out to Jesus, but he was asking Jesus not to hold this sin against his persecutors. Despite hostility towards the church and the persecution of believers like Stephen, Christianity grew. Believers fled Jerusalem and took the message of Jesus on the cross wherever they went. And the church expanded to Samaria, Ethiopia, and beyond.
Go and be the church.
The cadence of building up and being the church back in the New Testament is the same today. We can be inspired by Jesus’ direction given with the Great Commission. Go and make disciples of all nations. Speak boldly like Peter despite our past choices. Stand up for our faith like Stephen despite what the world might threaten us with. Stay focused on the gospel wherever we are headed, to continue to spread the good news of what Jesus has done for us. We are asked, by Jesus, to spread this gospel to everyone. Our neighbors. Strangers. And to all nations.
Go and be the church.
Follow our Contributing Writer - Rocky Bush
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