Please read Chapters 13-28 of Acts. Choose a verse from this section that seems to you particularly important in explaining the rapid growth of the early church. Note how this verse sheds light on the leadership, finances, organization, etc. of the first Christians or what the verse shows about conditions in the Roman empire that may have been conducive to the spread and growth of Christianity.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Acts--Session II (Extra Credit)
Please read Chapters 13-28 of Acts. Choose a verse from this section that seems to you particularly important in explaining the rapid growth of the early church. Note how this verse sheds light on the leadership, finances, organization, etc. of the first Christians or what the verse shows about conditions in the Roman empire that may have been conducive to the spread and growth of Christianity.
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16 comments:
I think that Act 14: 21-25, show how strong the church was becoming "they preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples". what was being preach was able to gain such a strong grasp on the people.
Ka'Nova Williams
Acts- 18:6
When they opposed him and reviled him he shook out his garments and said to them, Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.
Paul realized the importance of not trying to force a religion onto a people. Instead, he would support and preach to anyone who would listen, even if they were Gentiles. By having an active audience that wanted to listen and believed in the message was a great asset for the new church. If they had been able to travel out side of the Jewish communities, there probably would not be a catholic faith, because the early church would have ended.
This audience would then spread the word to others in the community. Once the church community formed, the success of the community was greater. Strength, of the early leadership of the church was to realize that they were not welcome and would leave. If they would have protested and pushed the Jewish community early on, they all would have wound up dead before their message had a chance to spread.
I think Acts 22 is an interesting story. When the crowd in Rome began beating Paul, Paul began telling the people his story. He told them how he was once Saul and he preached against God. Then the light of God struck him down. He then had a conversion to the Lord and became Paul. When the Roman soldiers were about to take Paul to the barracks, Paul told them that he was a Roman citizen. The soldiers then let him go.
Alex Mason
One thing that particulary stuck out to me as I read these chapters is the benifit that some of the disciples had, especailly Paul, that they were Roman citizens. Paul being a Roman citizen helps him out a few times, both in Acts chpt 16 and again in chpt 22. Since he is a citizen it is illegal for anyone to throw him in jail or abuse him without having a proper trial. This allows Paul some freedoms in being able to spread the word.
I think Acts 16:16-40 shows the type of determined leadership that is needed to get a movement going. After all that Paul went through while in Philippi (imprisonment/beatings) he continues to spread the word. After the magistrate allows them to leave quietly, Paul makes the magistrates come to lead them out of the city. In my opinion most ordinary people would be so happy to be out of jail that they would just leave quietly, however Paul was strong willed until the very end.
eric saathoff
Acts 21:13
"Then Paul answered. "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
This shows something in the leadership that is very inspiring. To believe in something enough to die for it is something that is almost visible.
You see this when you meet someone who truly believes in a religion. And not the ones that shove their religion on others but the ones that show you why they believe. That they have reasons and to them that is right. This is a force which can inspire many especially if it is lead by example.
Even the apostles were being lead by example, the best.
John Schirado
In Acts 20: 32-36, a very pivotal moment is reflected in Paul’s speech. He claims, “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace…In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak…” and then in Acts 20:36, When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. This is so crucial, because it shows certain acceptance of the message of Jesus. Paul is not hesitant to preach the whole will of God and finally this complete freedom and display of faith shows the incredible progress of the church. It shows Paul’s leadership as well. For example, he continues to warn against such religious corruption and persecution. He states in Acts 20: 30-31, “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them!” Paul’s farewell speech mirrors his work as a faithful leader. He was willing to spend numerous nights in jail and preached even in adverse conditions. Additionally, in Acts 20:22-23 Paul’s complete devotion is once again shown. He would face anything to promote the will of God and nothing could stop him. These are all important verses, because it continues to show Paul’s devotion and leadership, but it finally shows acceptance of faith on the part of the Ephesian people.
Kirsten Saunders
In Acts 13: 23-35 it talked about the fullfilment of the prophets and told the crowds that this is what was supposed to happen. This is what the prophets fortold. They continue telling stories that have been predicted and came true.
Also people over and over again die for Chistianity. This shows a persons devotion to the matter and it shows that a person really beleives in a cause if they are confident in what they are preaching.
I just posted the above post.
-Matthew Scott
In Act chapter 13 Paul and Barnabas went to Pisidian Antioch, where they spoke in a synagogue on the Sabbath about the God,Jesus persecution by the people of Israel. that following week on the Sabbath the whole city had gathered to hear the word of God, this made the jews jealous, so they began to talk ill mannered to what paul was talking about. Paul and Barnabas said to them in Acts 13:46-47, "we had to speake the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For it this is what the Lord has commanded us: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." This help shows how the spread of christianity was easily excepted by some people, mainly the Gentiles because it showed them that they were also in Gods plan, or god had a Plan for them also.
In Acts 15 we come across a problem for new Christian church: Circumcision. In the church of Jerusalem, some proclaimed that everyone must be circumsized, whether originally Gentile or Jew.
In V.6-12 we see how they worked out this problem.
The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.
After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
"But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."
All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
In these verses we see a problem arise, the early church coming together as a leadership discussing it, debating it, and coming to a conclusion. I can't believe that each and every problem in the church is handled this way, but the decision of this problem gives us a statement that is doctrine to the church today:But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus. No longer actions, but inward conversion is needed to be a true believer in God.
-amber eich
I think Acts 15 shows a good example of the rapid growth of the early christian church.
In Act 15:24 "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
They then go on to say what is commandend of them.
Act 15: 28-29 "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;(29) That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."
These verses are important because it shows leadership in what is required of the newly converted gentile christians.
First it seperates the new religion from the old by telling them they are not commanded by the law. However to have any organization, there need to be order. And even though the gentiles were not commanded to keep the law. They still had a few rules that they had to follow.
Margaret Schiley
In Acts Chapter 28, Paul arrives in Rome due to being arrested by the leaders of Jerusalem. Paul, when he arrives in Rome, the Jewish leaders of Rome were curious of the Chistians in verse 22, stating, "But we would like to hear from you what you think, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against."
Paul then started to preach against the kingdom of God, trying to persuade them based on the Old Testament. Some were convinced, while other disagreed and began to leave when Paul quoted Isaiah in saying that they are too set in their ways to listen to the message of God and that the Gentiles will listen and receive the salvation of God.
Acts 28 sums up the feelings of how the Christian faith had broken away from Judaism and started to persuade others to join the faith. When Christianity began to accept all newcomers, it began to grow to become the force it has become. Acts 28 also shows how the leadership of Christianity will spread their message to all places, no matter how resistant the people are to the message.
S
I like Chapters 17 and 18. Paul never stayed in one place too long. As soon as trouble came his way, Paul left a couple of people to preach the gospel while he went to another area to preach.
Acts chapter 2
I think that the reason the church grew and spread the way that it did was because of the indwelling power that occurred in Acts 2. Without this one ingredient, the indwelling presence of God, the birth of the church, church growth, evangelism, unity among believers, etc., etc., etc., would never had occurred. We need the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to be what we need to be to get the job done, no matter what job that may be.
Donna Baskins
I agree with Donna, after the Holy Spirit was sent (in Acts 2) many believers and non-believers could feel His urging and His presence. The rapid growth is talked about in 14:21-25, the church was become strong becuase all the members were on Fire for Christ. Often times we see churches fall apart and slowly die out becuase they are not seeking the Holy Spirit.
If we look at any of the revivals that take place today, Everyone is praying that God would do a mighty work and to touch them. Well, for the early church a normal church service would have been like a big revival service for us.
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