Acts is
sequel to the life of Christ in the Gospels, and it records the spread of
Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome. It
is the initiation of Jesus’ Great commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke
to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
earth. Go therefore and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded
you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen). We as believers are the descendants of the
original disciples and are called to do the same in carrying out the Great
Commission (Mark 16:15-18).
Act 1:8 is
the key to the book (But you shall
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of
the earth”). This verse predicts the
outpouring of the Spirit and its powerful witness. Under the New Covenant,
every believer is given the Promise of the Father (Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry
in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high”),
the active, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. By this activity of the Spirit’s fullness in
the life of every believer, dynamic devotion is possible and the ministry of
Christ in His church continues. In
general, Acts relates the step-by-step expansion of Christianity and the church. Acts is a record of practicing Christianity
under the power of the Holy Spirit. It
teaches believers how to live together in meaningful Christian fellowship.
Probably the
most prominent characteristic of the early Christians was their spiritual
power. They fasted and prayed fervently
(Acts 2:42 And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in prayers, Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on
them, they sent them away). Acts is about ordinary people doing
extraordinary things with the power of the Holy Spirit. Signs followed those who believed (Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow
those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with
new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it
will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will
recover”). Acts was the first
century church that should be a model for the body of Christ in this age.
Acts
contains indispensable material for those who wish to learn the power
principles of Christian leadership. The
leadership of the apostles in Acts is some of the most spiritually powerful the
church has ever known. The leadership models here provide patterns for
effective ministry and service. Applying
the lessons for leaders given in Acts will help give today’s Christian leaders
increased power in every ministry.
Leaders, incorporate these four elements
into your congregation’s life: Teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and
prayers. (Acts 2:42-47 And they
continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking
of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came
upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the
apostles. Now all who believed were
together, and had all things in common…. So, continuing daily with one accord
in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with
gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved).
Leaders, allow others to share in the work
of the ministry (Acts 6:1-6 Now in those
days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint
against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in
the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples
and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve
tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out
from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and
wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves
continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased
the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy
Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas…. whom
they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them).
Leaders, give prayer a central place in your
church life (Acts 12:12 Peter was
therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the
church).
Leaders, submit to the Spirit’s guidance
when confronting decisions. Call
leadership to prayer and fasting in such times.
Release freely those appointed and called by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-3 Now in the church that was at
Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was
called Niger, Lucius…, Manaen…. and Saul.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now
separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called
them.” Then, having fasted and prayed,
and laid hands on them, they sent them away).
Leaders, remain humble before the Lord and
those you serve, giving Him all praise and honor (Acts 14:14-18 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they
tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men,
why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you,
and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living
God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who
in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, He did not leave Himself
without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful
seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” And with these sayings
they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them).
Leaders, personally train young people who
are called to ministry (Acts 16:1-5 Then
he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named
Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was
Greek. He was well spoken of by the
brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised
him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his
father was Greek. And as they went
through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were
determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So, the churches were strengthened in the
faith, and increased in number daily).
Leaders, shepherd God’s beloved people over
whom He has given you oversight.
Diligently guard and care for the flock God has entrusted to you (Acts 20:28-32 Therefore take heed to
yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own
blood. For I know this, that after my
departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up,
speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three
years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. “So now,
brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to
build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified).
Acts summons
us to a bold faith. The lives of the men
and women in Acts challenge us to believe in our great God to do great things
in a great way in the church of today. These
accounts invite us to the kinds of risks associated with this bold faith and
inspire us to have the courage to follow these great examples. Believe
steadfastly that God will fulfill everything He has promised in His Word (Acts 3:21 whom heaven must receive until
the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of
all His holy prophets since the world began). Humbly call to the Lord to perform signs,
wonders, and miracles to confirm with power the gospel message of His Son (Acts 14:3 Therefore they stayed there a
long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of
His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands).
Tony Sanchez 5-11-17
