Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 3

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

Acts 3:19

     Repentance. A realization of personal faults and misdeeds. A cognitive conflict that forces an individual to recognize ill-advised choices and decisions have alienated him, or her, from God. An observance so penetrating that it generates remorse, as well as a pressing desire to accept Jesus’ gift of salvation. In sum, repentance is a conviction to change one’s spiritual path, and thereby one’s life course.
     I learned something about the urgency of changing course from an experience that happened to me when I was thirteen years old. That year, I attended a friend’s week-long summer church camp, which was located in a wooded expanse several miles from any populated area or town. The quiet, undisturbed atmosphere provided an ideal setting for distracted, rambunctious youth (such as myself), but I soon discovered that the remote locale had one major hazard: it’s dangerously easy to lose your way in the wilderness.
     During one of the recreational breaks, the youth decided to play a round of war, a game more appropriately known as capture-the-flag. The entire group was divided into two teams: the red team and the blue team. Each team set up a base, which lodged their team’s flag. We were given basic instructions outlining the rules of engagement, so-to-speak. The game’s objective was to retrieve the opposing team’s flag and return it to home base before the other team could do the same. Because my friend and I were two of the youngest teenagers there, we were assigned the unenviable task of guarding our team’s base. Minutes seemed to eek by because of the inactivity. The lowly mission was dejecting. I felt unneeded. I wallowed in boredom for awhile. Suddenly, I was startled by the sound of screaming and the rustling of leaves and branches. Disoriented, I turned around and saw members of the rival team dashing through the woods. They were invading our base. 

     Completely unprepared for this scenario, I asked my friend what we should do. He said, “Run.” And run I did. Because of surging adrenaline, I found unending endurance in my legs. I ran far and long. I ran so far in fact that I outran the entire church grounds. Clearing the woods, my furious sprint was halted when I arrived at a large pond. I looked back at the forest I had just run from. I thought about going back the way I came, but being mindful of the game, I decided I did not want to chance becoming an imaginary prisoner-of-war. Instead, I followed the pond’s border. I soon realized that I had lost a re-entry point into the woods. There were no dirt trails signaling a path back to the campgrounds. Any access to the forest would have to be through thick brush. Because I was displaced and confused, I decided to proceed along the pond’s perimeter further. I eventually came across a gravel street. When no other plan seemed better at the time, I followed the trail of the stone-filled street.

     With every step, I became a little more uncomfortable with the path I was going. Nothing looked familiar. I had no reference points or signs guiding me back to camp. Whatever mental toughness I assumed I had quickly dissipated. Panic set in. I began to wonder if I would be able to find the camp by nightfall. If that worst-case scenario were to come to fruition where would I sleep? What would I eat? Fear and terror seized the very fiber of my being. My heart rate accelerated. I quickly felt myself struggling to control my air intake. My body seemed to be setting off internal alarm sensors. I was in trouble and I desperately needed help.

     Instinctively, I stepped off the road and walked into an adjoining field. I knelt down and tried to compose my scattered, frantic thoughts. I attempted to conceive a means of getting back to the campgrounds. Having misplaced all self-concocted compass bearings and markers, I reasoned no path leading me to shelter could be developed on my own. I required assistance. Fully aware of my dire situation, I prayed that God would come to my aid. My hurried, repetitive prayer came from a longing heart. God rescue me. I need you. God rescue me. I need you. Please God, rescue me.

     I arose from my prostrate position and returned to the gravel road. Feeling an odd mixture of anticipation and peace, I resumed my journey. My heart rate slowed down. My breathing normalized. I gazed ahead at the sea of stones lining the road for several minutes until I saw a figure appear in the distance. An older man, with a fishing pole in one hand and a tackle box in the other, made his way towards me. Something about his presence was soothing. He sported plain attire, as well as a warm countenance. A smile overpowered my frown as I ran towards the stranger. Standing a few feet from him, I informed him of my predicament. My communication was a frenetic rush of words and thoughts. 

     The older gentleman patiently listed to my plea for help, grinning the entire time. He reassured me everything would be ok and told me exactly how to get back to the campground. Unfortunately, my mind was entrenched in a stupor-filled state. I could not retain any of his critical information. After his second attempt to explain the way back to camp failed, he slowly knelt down and drew a map in some dirt. Remarkably, the visual aid gave me a new perspective, as well as tranquility. Blinders seemed to fall from my eyes. The route I needed to take became crystal clear. I knew where I needed to go and I felt sure I would get there. Thankfully, I did. If not for the benevolent stranger who knows where I would have ended up. But God ordained the time and place for me to cross paths with a friendly fisherman. As a result, I was able to find the way to safety. 

     The spiritual application of this incident is a fitting one. Many people today, as many have in the past, are traveling the wrong path. Whether motivated by greed, power, or unbelief, they walk the worldly course every day. This self-destructive passageway has but one eventual conclusion: everlasting separation from God in hell. God’s holiness is incompatible with man’s sinfulness. The image of Adam and Eve exiting the Garden of Eden was symbolic of this truth. Heaven is reserved for the righteous. It is for the children of light, not the children of darkness. Only atoned, forgiven believers earn the privilege of being in God’s eternal company. Redeeming forgiveness can only be satisfied through the acceptance of Christ’s sovereignty and sacrifice. Consequently, Christ’s redeeming forgiveness is a central theme in Acts 3.  

     Acts 3 begins by devoting attention to two of the apostles, John and Peter, and their exploits in Jerusalem’s temple. Bear in mind, Acts 2:46 mentions that all the believers congregated in the temple courts daily. But as the fellowship and church grew, the gathering was likely distributed equally among various assembly times throughout the day to better facilitate order, relational strengthening, and spiritual growth. For whatever reason, Luke momentarily highlights John and Peter’s ministry, even though the remaining apostles were almost certainly ministering as well. Recall that the practice of sending the apostles in pairs originated with Jesus’ instruction in Mark 6:7. This pattern not only encouraged accountability to God’s mission, it promoted companionship. Peter and John had obviously spent much time with each other as they had traveled with Jesus for some three years. But this friendship likely deepened after Christ’s ascension to heaven because their lifelong mission, the mission Jesus bestowed upon them (to make disciples of nations), necessitated articulating their faith as a cohesive unit. 

     As John and Peter passed through the exterior court of the temple one day, they saw a paralytic being carried towards the temple gate. This man, lame from birth, was routinely brought to the temple grounds by friends for the purpose of begging for money. The paralytic’s condition prevented him from securing employment. He was, therefore, solely reliant upon the charity of others. Jerusalem’s temple provided an optimal location in that it was a highly trafficked thoroughfare where, logic held, generous people, the worshippers of God, visited daily. 

     The paralytic caught sight of John and Peter and instinctively requested a financial offering. Acts 3:4 indicates that John and Peter maintained their gaze firmly on the crippled man. Apparently, the paralytic turned his head away from the apostles because Peter asked the paralytic to look directly at them. This should not be interpreted as a show of power, but as a display of compassion. Peter and John were prepared and equipped to offer this man something far more valuable than a day’s wages; they were ready to change this man’s life, physically and spiritually.

     Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter commanded the paralytic to walk in Jesus’ name. As a sign of his certainty that a healing had just taken place, Peter extended his hand to help the beggar stand up. When the paralytic rose to his feet, he realized that he was a paralytic no more. The strength in his feet and ankles verified the indescribable, marvelous activity of God. He not only walked with ease, he jumped. It was a bona fide miracle. In fact, it is the first recorded healing miracle in Acts. Understandably, this caused quite a scene. People were perplexed as to how the former paralytic could move so freely, so nimbly. It shattered the scope of disability through which he had been evaluated many times before. The audience was filled with wonder and amazement by the sight of what could only be explained as a supernatural healing. The environment quickly turned chaotic. A crowd rushed into a section of the temple known as Solomon’s Colonnade.

     Perhaps sensing the people were preparing to magnify the apostles, rather than the Almighty, Peter addressed the audience. He presented a message that was bold, Christ-honoring, and direct. Peter acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, the One worthy of worship. He rebuked the people for their involvement in the events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. He testified that Jesus was indeed raised to life, confirmed by Jesus’ multiple appearances to the apostles. He offered them hope, telling them that they could be restored to God through Jesus. 
     One of the defining statements in Peter’s sermon is found in Acts 3:19. The apostle implored the people to repent and turn to God so that their transgressions could be forgiven and their lives spiritually revived. His proclamation offers three considerations regarding repentance that merit review. One, repentance leads to a reorientation. Peter said to turn to God, which implies sin turns us away, or separates us, from God. Separation from God is the spiritual equivalent of misguided wandering (like my experience of getting lost in the woods as a teenager). It is an aimless search that dooms its victims to a disastrous dilemma. The only means of avoiding the fate of this predicament is to reverse course. To reorient our heading.

     God desires to have a relationship with us and persistently pursues opportunities to awaken our sleeping souls. Throughout time, He has revealed Himself through signs, Scripture, His Son, and His Spirit. Every instrument of His choosing has been employed to help humanity return to right standing with Him. When we fix our gaze on God and welcome repentance, we discover no worldly path can ever offer satisfaction or everlasting peace. We become ruined for a carnal culture and become reoriented to our Creator.

     Two, repentance leads to redemption. Peter said people’s sins could be wiped out. This was not a flimsy, whimsical declaration. It was an explicit, promissory proclamation. Peter was speaking from personal experience. Not long before this sermon, Peter had felt the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit when the Holy Spirit took up residence in his heart. Because Peter believed Jesus was the expectant Messiah, and had confessed that Christ is Lord of all, he underwent a holy transformation.

     Redemption has a most intriguing application when you consider its ancient setting. There once was a process by which convicted criminals could have their prison sentences commuted through substantial financial compensation, a process referred to as redemption. To redeem a prisoner one had to pay a considerable fee to secure someone’s release. This imagery provided biblical writers a most dynamic picture in describing the beauty and significance of Jesus’ redemptive act at Calvary.

     Mankind, a lot of immoral dissenters, stood ready to be eternally judged for our mutinous decisions. But before the guilty verdict could be delivered, Jesus rescued us from the throes of hell’s eternal prison sentence. His blood-stained, sinless-tendered sacrifice paid the cost no one else could pay. He literally loved us to death so that we could love Him for life.

     Three, repentance leads to refreshment. Peter pronounced God would supply times of refreshing to those who embrace the sovereignty and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This must not be misconstrued to mean faith in Christ guarantees material blessings. This was not a prosperity profession, but rather an announcement signaling the relief and enjoyment people can experience when they recognize they have been forever pardoned. Although mankind will be called into account for our actions in this life, those who have let Jesus’ atoning blood cleanse their corrupt hearts can enter the final judgment with peace and assurance knowing Jesus has forever exonerated them. Refreshing comes to those who have immersed themselves in the river of Jesus' repentance. May we, like Peter and John, drink from that wellspring and never thirst for anything else.

Has repentance truly impacted your life?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 2

"Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles."

Acts 2:43

     Awe. An experience that fills a life with captivating contentment, as well as humbling bewilderment. A moment so moving it causes one to stop and marvel at what has just taken place. An occasion that inspires the need to meditate on the greatness of God.

     Humanity tends to express awe for inspirational musical performances, extravagant paintings, and other artistic objects. In other words, we often relate awe to the creative output of mankind. But the historical definition of awe has a much greater connotation. By its earliest connotation, awe is the intersection of fear, adoration, and respect, usually the result of being in the company of a superior - a superior who commands honor, dignity, and reverence. From that standpoint, awe more appropriately describes humanity’s response to the awareness of God’s activity and presence.

     Life has presented me several sacred encounters, encounters in which I was spiritually consumed, and enamored, with God’s existence. One such awe-filled encounter took place when I attended a Sunday morning worship service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City. In college, I worked as a part-time praise band director at a large metropolitan church in Oklahoma City. The music minister of that church had long been an admirer of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. One year, a major music publisher announced that their annual music conference would be held in New York City. This particular conference was special in that the conference package included the opportunity to attend a Brooklyn Tabernacle choir rehearsal, as well as a Brooklyn Tabernacle church service. Needless-to-say, the music minister was elated with this announcement. Because he supported the Brooklyn Tabernacle’s ministry so fervently, he graciously extended all-expense-paid trips to his music staff. I was included in that list of invitees and accepted the music minister’s offer to fly to New York to attend the conference, as well as the corresponding events. Although there were many positive takeaways from that trip, the milestone was attending a Brooklyn Tabernacle worship service.

     A charter bus transported all the conference attendees from our hotel in Manhattan to the Brooklyn borough early one Sunday morning. We were dropped off a few blocks from the Brooklyn Tabernacle sanctuary. As we neared the church’s entrance, we were met with a single-file line containing several hundred people. The line stretched past adjacent buildings. Initially, I was speechless. Were all these people waiting to participate in a worship service? The guide accompanying us informed us that the mass attendance and overflow was not unusual for a Brooklyn Tabernacle service. Having grown up in a Midwestern town where church options abounded, people waiting hours to crowd inside a worship service, with no guarantee they would actually get to attend it, was an unprecedented concept to me.

      I soon understood why people were so committed to this fellowship. The moment the first chord resonated from the church’s praise band, nearly everyone in the sanctuary stood up, raised their hands, and closed their eyes. Although this was not a demonstrative worship atmosphere I was accustomed to, I found myself welcoming the privilege to be immersed in it. God’s Spirit was clearly present. In a split-second, I felt the Holy Spirit surging through my heart, engulfing me in love and compassion. I mentally removed all the extraneous distractions. The size of the praise band and the choir. The ornate beauty of the sanctuary. The movement, motion, and melodies of the fellow worshippers surrounding me. The only thing I could concentrate on was the irresistible goodness of God. The undeniable mixture of gratitude for His mercy and the personal guilt for being so insensitive, at times, to Christ’s gift of grace, brought me to a state of brokenness. Fully attune to God’s holy love, I raised my hands, closed my eyes, and sang with great conviction. 

     The song service was a mixture of familiar hymns, choruses, and even a tune I associated with children’s music (“This Little Light of Mine”). But the music selection was not the point of emphasis; the spirit of the music presentation was. It transcended sound or style. God’s people joined together in one unified heart with one unified voice for one unified purpose: to praise God. It was truly amazing. If that service was but a preview of the glorious worship Christians will enjoy in Jesus’ presence someday in heaven, then many awe-filled experiences await us.

     In the opening verses of Acts 2, the apostles, along with many other disciples, were assembled together. They were awaiting the fulfillment of Jesus’ promised arrival of the Holy Spirit. Without warning, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. He came in a most dramatic fashion. Acts 2:2 says that the Holy Spirit’s entrance was like that of a violent wind. Immediately, believers received tongues of fire, causing them to utter praise in foreign languages. 

     Perhaps this movement of the Holy Spirit, in a way, signified the reversal of the curse that plagued humanity beginning in Genesis 11. At one point, mankind enjoyed a common dialect. After the tower of Babel, however, God dispersed mankind across the earth, and formed multiple languages, thereby erecting communication barriers. In a mighty flash, the disunity and dialogue struggles brought about by the construction of the tower of Babel were overcome by the power, and will, of the Holy Spirit. 

     Acts 2:5 states God-fearing Jews from every nation were in Jerusalem, likely for the Passover observance. As the commotion of the Holy Spirit’s coming caught the attention of some of Jerusalem’s residents and visitors, curious city dwellers and sojourners ventured out to find the source of the disruption, which led them to the Spirit-filled, suddenly multilingual, disciples. The text points out that not everyone who witnessed this occurrence was convinced that the believers were infused with the Holy Spirit. Some mocked the disciples and accused them of being drunk. Peter responded to this allegation with an impassioned message. 

     Citing biblical references in Joel and Psalms, Peter confirmed that the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of man was foretold in ancient texts. Therefore, there was no need to discredit the work of God. Rather, the spectators should embrace it. A central point in Peter’s sermon was the resurrection of Jesus (Ac. 2:24). Although the notion of a person returning from death seemed ludicrous to most, Peter affirmed that he and the other apostles had personally seen a risen Jesus. This incredible reality compelled Peter to attribute Jesus a significant honor in Acts 2:36. He proclaimed that Jesus was both Lord and Christ. In other words, Jesus is God (Yahweh) and Savior (the Anointed One). Jesus is mankind’s means of salvation and deserves praise and reverence.

     This announcement cut many listeners to the heart, prompting them to ask the apostles what they should do with this knowledge. Peter replied that they should repent and be baptized into the Christian faith through the name of Jesus Christ. The confirmation that forgiveness has been granted becomes evident in the receiving of the Holy Spirit. At the conclusion of Peter’s sermon, some three thousand followers were added to the fold that very day. 

     The proof of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence was undeniable. Believers began reevaluating their focus and their priorities. They latched onto a community perspective. They began sharing time in each other’s homes. Sharing meals with one another. Sharing possessions with one another. Selling personal valuables in order to provide for the needs of others. The Holy Spirit inspired the people to break free from pretentious living. He encouraged them to find joy through serving, and to know the power of presenting one’s faith, both inside and outside of the synagogue structure.

     The spirit of awe saturated the believers. Their awe-filled hearts were indisputable and alluring. Acts 2 highlights three critical aspects that make the power of awe so compelling. One, an awe-filled heart derives from an awareness of God. This may seem like a trivial point, but an awareness of God is fundamental to becoming an authentic worshipper. Acts 2:37 states that an apprehensive audience was “cut to the heart” after Peter delivered his message. There was something undeniable about the exceptionality of Christ’s life. The listeners’ minds could not shake it. Their hearts could not break it. People recognized that Jesus was not just the Son of man; He was the Son of God. 

     Awareness denotes more than just a visual or spiritual observation. It implies acute, mental deliberation. It is not associated with random, transient thoughts. Awareness is defined by careful cerebral meditations, which spur appreciation and recognition of God’s greatness. The sinful human condition often prevents us from focusing on a life that is not our own. We usually look through the lens of selfishness, where every spare reflection is reserved for ourselves. How different would our world look if an appreciative awareness of God were persistently practiced? Hurtful words would be replaced with words of exhortation. Affection and sacrifice would be exhibited on a much greater scale. The love of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, would echo all across the earth.

     Two, an awe-filled heart demands an acknowledgment of God. Acts 2:42 confirms that the apostles diligently spoke of Christ and offered godly instruction to anyone who was willing to listen. Their zeal incited them to render the story of Jesus at practically every opportunity. This was certainly met with opposition and criticism, but it was also met with acceptance and repentance. Transformation would not have been possible had the apostles not been adamant about vocalizing their spiritual regeneration. Because the message of Christ was foremost in their thoughts, the ministry of Jesus was foremost in their speech and conduct. 

     Christianity should never be characterized by lackadaisical, complacent gospel presentations. Based on the example of the apostles, Christianity should be characterized by clear, compassionate tributes of praise that are made potently real because the lives of the people offering them are clearly and decisively different from that of the world. The Holy Spirit produced many convictions within the believers’ lives. Being silent was not one of them.

     Three, an awe-filled heart drives an action-filled life. The apostles devoted themselves to helping and serving others. They did not pursue earthly recognition or reward. They did not burnout or forego meeting the needs of others shortly after the Holy Spirit came upon them. They did not abandon the cause of evangelizing or ministering just because the mission was challenging and exhaustive. They made Jesus’ mission (to make disciples of nations) a lifelong commitment. Undoubtedly, when believers exercise love rather than conceit or vanity, we find God gives us the ability to work harder and journey farther than we ever thought possible.

     It is interesting to note what four practices characterized the early church per Acts 2:42: teaching (hearing the Word of God and receiving insight into the mission of Christ), fellowshipping (exercising a longing to develop meaningful relationships with fellow believers), breaking bread together (honoring the Lord’s Supper as well as hosting community meals), and praying (establishing a faith-based discourse with God Almighty, which is aided, in large part, by the Holy Spirit, Who helps believers understand why we need to pray and how to properly do it). In an age that is bent on implementing newly designed programs and numeric growth strategies, God’s mechanism of blessing the church and adding to it was surprisingly straightforward: know God, know His Son, know Scripture, know the importance of regularly worshipping with other believers, and know the value of representing God in all matters of life, especially in the allocation of one’s time. These same pursuits should be the core disciplines of modern-day congregations today. Above all, Acts 2 reminds us that an awe-filled heart is an anointed heart - anointed by the Holy Spirit to know salvation and produce a significantly influential life.

Do you possess and project an awe-filled heart?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 1

"They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers."

Acts 1:14

       Prayer. The powerful, yet perplexing, means of speaking to God. Powerful in that humanity has an open line of communication to our Creator. Perplexing in that God’s responses are seemingly slow in coming, at least by mankind’s timetable.
In a world that is saturated with communication devices and mechanisms, God’s prescribed manner of reaching out to Him is surprisingly simple: prayer. To some, the notion of prayer seems too trite or archaic. Many wonder how a silent, presumably one-sided, conversation with the invisible God could ever offer any spiritual nourishment or benefit. But to believers, the very ones who have chosen to open their hearts to the inexplicable, yet plausible, potency of prayer, a faith-filled life yields incredible solace and assurance.

       Just prior to my wedding ceremony, my soon-to-be father-in-law asked that my groomsmen, ushers, and the officiating pastor gather around me as I knelt down for a time of prayer. While I had witnessed this type of prostrate prayer observance at church deacon ordination services, I had never personally participated in such an event. It was a most welcomed diversion from the fretful tension that had seized my mind a few minutes before the wedding, when the enormity of becoming a husband, and its associated responsibilities, rapidly engulfed me.

       One by one, the men standing around me laid their hands on my shoulders and back. My future father-in-law instructed everyone present to beseech God on my behalf. He encouraged them to ask God to make me an honorable man. To fashion me into a tender husband. To help me live a life characterized by integrity. As I slowly fell to my knees, numerous emotions began to rush through my restless spirit. The anxiety of humbly cherishing a marital relationship. The fear of making mistakes and hurting those I care about most, especially my spouse. The uncertainty of knowing what challenges could eventually affect my marriage.

       Those concerns circulated through my thoughts right up until the moment the men embracing me began to pray. Instantly, I found myself letting go of the insecurities and worries I was holding onto. I felt a surge of hope. Because of the enunciation of encouragement, my restless spirit found rest. I was overwhelmed with a source of strength and peace. The burden of timidity that was weighing my heart down was overcome by the sweet sensation of stillness. An overpowering movement of God’s Spirit became so apparent. On the verge of tears, I absorbed the significance of the moment, as well as the emboldening presence of God. I was incredibly thankful for the opportunity to receive such a blessing. 

       Just when I assumed the prayer time had concluded, I felt another hand grasp my shoulder. The mysterious participant quickly offered up additional supplication. As he did, I was spiritually injected with an even greater amount of encouragement. I almost doubled over because I was so astonished by the stirring within my soul. When the prayer time ended, a few unspoken minutes passed. An admiration for what had transpired hung in the air. After handshakes and hugs were exchanged, I discovered the identity of the late, anonymous participant. It was the pastor of the church where our wedding ceremony was being held.

       During college, I had become a member of the pastor’s congregation. He was a dynamic, passionate communicator of God’s Word. I respected him immensely. Because a part-time music ministry position called me away from his church, it had been awhile since the pastor and I had seen each other. Although he had no official role in the ceremony, the pastor wanted to render a word of encouragement before the wedding started. He walked into the preparation room expecting to find me casually conversing with my groomsmen. Instead, he found me besieged in a prayer circle. Without hesitation, he entered into the time of petition on my behalf. Looking back, I probably would have forgotten the pastor’s pre-wedding pep-talk had he been able to give it to me. But his spontaneous willingness to build me up, take me to the heavenly Father in prayer, and usher in an affirmation of the Holy Spirit will stay with me forever.

       As the book of Acts unfolds there is a sense of hopefulness. The eleven remaining disciples had seen a resurrected Jesus on a number of occasions within a forty-day period. Death held no sway over their Lord. Jesus was alive and engaged in the lives of His followers. But within that communion there was a litany of unanswered questions. The disciples were given little more than inspirational sermonettes before Jesus ascended to heaven, at least the way Scripture reads. Christ’s marching orders, so-to-speak, were startlingly vague. The disciples were not given detailed instructions as to what their specific message should be. They were not provided an administrative outline pertinent to running an effective ministry. They were not offered a manual for how to develop spiritual, let alone numeric, growth. Jesus essentially issued them a mandate to wait for, and rely upon, the Holy Spirit (Joh. 14:25-27). He told the disciples to trust that God, via the Holy Spirit, would give them what they needed, when they needed it. 

       It is important to take the time to highlight the distinction between the terms “apostle” and “disciple”. The word “disciple” has a Latin root. Its original meaning describes one who is a pupil or learner. The four gospel accounts confirm the eleven disciples were students of Christ. They often referred to Jesus as their great Teacher (Joh.13:13). Today, we associate disciples with modern-day followers of Christ. But in Acts 1:2 the eleven disciples were called apostles. The Greek word apostolos, from which the English word apostle originates, means “one sent”. Apostles were endowed with special gifts from Jesus, gifts that enabled them to perform signs and wonders for the world to behold. Like missionaries, the apostles went abroad to present the gospel to non-believers. Like missionaries, the apostles participated in social work, caring for widows, orphans, and the poor. But unlike missionaries, the apostles were able to heal infirmities and exorcise demons (Mr. 6:13).

       The term apostle was not used with frequency in the gospel accounts (Mt. 10:2, Mr. 6:30, Lk. 9:10, and Lk. 11:49). Not until Acts do we find the position or influence of the apostles fully realized. Charged to mirror the example Jesus had provided them, the apostles were Christ’s hand-picked ambassadors and representatives. He gave them the power and the authority to lead the newborn church, as well as provide the church body compelling tutelage. The apostles did not establish religious offices or posts in an effort to memorialize themselves, or generate the perception that they were irreplaceable. This point is proven by the fact that there is no mention of Christ’s original apostles past Acts 16 (another apostle, Paul, became the focus for the final chapters of Acts). Evidently, Jesus’ apostles answered the call to usher in a missionary work and preserve the Savior’s legacy without pursuing fame or fortune, which further verifies the purity of their passion and the integrity of their evangelistic aim.

        At Jesus’ request in Acts 1:4, the apostles awaited the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. The location had to have caused some, or most, of the apostles some apprehension initially. After all, Jerusalem was where Jesus was arrested, tortured, and led to a gruesome death outside the city limits. But in a remarkable form of symmetry that only God could devise, the place that marked the ending of Jesus’ ministry was God’s chosen setting to begin the church’s ministry. Although surrounded by enemies of the faith, God found shelter, safety, and a hiding place for His believers. The apostles were joined by Jesus’ mother, brothers, and several unnamed female disciples, roughly one hundred and twenty believers in all. They huddled together in a room daily. The primary religious exercise they entered into during this time was prayer. Acts 1:14 indicates the prayers of Christ’s followers were unremitting. They did not know God’s master plan, which compelled them to pray to the Master. Eagerly. Earnestly. Expectantly. Endlessly. 

       This Scriptural account alludes to a unity that existed within this fellowship. There was no quarrel. No strife. No debate as to who was considered the greatest disciple. Just an abiding dependence upon God for supernatural involvement. What kept them from bickering or emotionally wounding one another? The common desire to draw near to God through supplication. Certainly, the eleven apostles, Peter, James and John in particular, had to be reminded of how often Jesus communed with God through prayer during His earthly ministry. Just before He underwent the events that culminated with His crucifixion, Christ prayed for His disciples and all future believers (Joh. 17). Jesus had spent much time praying for mankind; now mankind was praying to Him.

       Many evaluations and critiques have been written throughout the years concerning the appropriate style and symmetry of prayer. Acts 1:14 reveals that the focus should not be on the structure of our supplication, but rather on the spirit of our supplication. Are we praying to honor God, or are we praying to honor ourselves? The pioneer believers cried out to God through humble and broken spirits. They prayed to God because they desperately longed for holy guidance. They sought God so they would know how to represent and present the gospel, a gospel that was burning deep within their souls.

       There are three key elements of the disciples’ prayerful spirit worth considering. One, the disciples’ prayers were personal. They articulated unique, original thoughts that reflected a collective desire to glorify God. Through petition, they laid down their troubles. They asked for spiritual strength. They asked how to carry the cause of Christ to others. Their faith-based deeds confirmed they had praise-filled hearts. They were candid, direct, and dedicated in their mission to seek God, even in the midst of uncertainty.

       Two, the disciples’ prayers were passionate. The need to seek divine direction was so prevalent the earliest believers prayed hour after hour, day after day. They did not perform this ritual for show or spectacle. They privately gathered because of their devotion to Jesus. They immersed themselves in a constant state of prayer because they were committed in their aspiration to know God’s will and obediently follow it. Rather than allowing prayer to become a knee-jerk, reflexive reaction, they made it a steadfast, unrelenting action. It was not an afterthought; it was their primary thought.     

       Three, the disciples’ prayers were persistent. The gravity of this truth is critical when you consider their collective circumstance. The believers’ allegiance to Christ made them adversaries of many religious leaders, leaders who had significant influence with the Jewish people, and the Roman government to a degree. At best, this would bring about mockery and ridicule. At worst, it would bring about torture and execution. To say these were dire times is an understatement. But that is what made the believers’ unshakable commitment to pray to God that much more remarkable. They did not run away from the situation; they reached out to God. They did not exhibit a cowardly spirit; they exhibited a courageous spirit. Above all, they trusted in their Savior: Jesus Christ.

       Prayer is the most transparent indicator of a believer’s confidence in God’s supremacy. It conveys a desire to have intimate fellowship with God. It exhibits an enduring faith in God’s ability to carry one through hardships. Prayerful communication has tremendous power for the receptive heart willing to submit to it.

       The prayerful state identified in Acts 1 was further displayed by the apostles when they initiated the process of filling the apostolic void that Judas Iscariot’s death (by suicide) had brought about. Peter led the charge to appoint a new apostle, emblematically continuing what Jesus inaugurated when He commissioned twelve disciples. Jesus provided a model in which He sent out apostles two by two (Mr. 6:7). Therefore, eleven apostles would have prevented this pattern from continuing. Peter demanded that the replacement apostle be a person who had been with them from the onset of Christ’s ministry, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. This condition served to ensure that the person who superseded Judas Iscariot had faithfully observed everything the eleven apostles had and could personally corroborate that Jesus lived, died, and rose again.

       Two candidates were proposed: Joseph (Barsabbas) and Matthias. The apostles prayed that God would choose which individual He desired to add to the apostolic fraternity. After the apostles prayed, they cast lots, which was a common method for seeking the Lord’s will before the Holy Spirit was given (Pr. 18:18). The lot fell on Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles.

        Acts 1 reminds believers that even in a chaotic, disappointing world, we can know God’s peace through prayer. Our souls grow restless and often hang on the brink of collapse, but God, the immortal Rock of hope, reigns victoriously. He never tires nor falters. The disciples recognized this. They possessed a passionate prayer life, clinging to the belief that God would supply their needs spiritually and physically. Petition was their cornerstone discipline. Through their example we discover that an uncovered heart combined with unending prayer can yield an unbroken spirit.  

Like the apostles, is your prayer life unrelenting and active?

Acts: Evidence of Faith (A Prologue)

         A little over a year ago I put the finishing touches on a manuscript, one that I hoped would someday enter the Christian material publication world. It was my second major writing endeavor. The first was a self-published book titled "Love Has Come: A Twenty-Eight Day Journey Through the Gospel of Mathew". Although that experience was a good one, I discovered that self-publishing is both expensive and daunting. Not surprisingly, "Love Has Come" quickly disappeared in the litany of book options after its release without any recognition or attention. It was disheartening to see something that took so much effort get such little positive traction in terms of readership. Therefore, I sought to "shop" my second book to the major Christian publishers. I provided a sample of the manuscript to an evangelical writing association where it would be available for the assorted publishers to review. Months went by and I never heard anything. I reached out to some of the publishers directly. Again, months went by and I never heard anything. And so my dream of having another book be in print was seemingly dashed. I shelved the manuscript and stored it away thinking it would never find the light of day. 
        But as I started to approach the beginning of 2014 I had a thought: release the second book via this blog site. Sure it will be offered for free, but perhaps it will make its way to people who want, or need, it, which is the only reason I penned it anyway. So, starting with today's writing I will be posting chapters of this book, a book about the New Testament account of Acts, for the next 29 weeks. I pray that you will commit to learning more about Acts with me. Should this study be beneficial for you please share it with those around you. With that being said, let's start with an introduction to the book of Acts. What follows is the official prologue I wrote for my second book, which I have termed "Evidence of Faith: A Twenty-Eight Day Journey Through the Book of Acts"...      

Acts. Twenty-eight chapters that chronicle the birth and growth of the Christian faith. A most inspirational narrative. A most unexpected narrative. Inspirational in that God sparked a spiritual fire that still burns bright twenty centuries later through a small gathering of believers. Unexpected in that the small gathering of believers, the very vessels by which His redeeming message touched lost souls, was comprised of people, by and large, who did not hail from the traditional religious leadership establishment (although there were exceptions: the apostle Simon the Zealot in Mark 3:18, the apostle Paul who was once a Pharisee per Acts 26:5, and a large number of Jewish priests who eventually became obedient to the faith according to Acts 6:7). Who would have predicted that the devoted followers of God, the people who would be the foremost instruments of Jesus in the first century, would be fishermen, tentmakers, tax collectors, Roman soldiers, and businesswomen by trade?  These people gave little credence to occupational skillsets, educational accomplishments, or nationality. What ultimately mattered was the sincerity of the desire to help change the world by proclaiming Christ to mankind.  

Acts, the fifth book of the New Testament, provides a crucial link between the mission of Jesus Christ (making salvation possible for humanity) and the mission of the believers (making disciples of nations). Although we do not know the circumstances upon which Luke, the author of this account, a trained physician, was converted to faith in Christ, we do know that Paul thought highly of him. In Colossians 4:14, Paul referred to Luke as his dear friend. In fact, this companionship was so strong that Luke comforted Paul for a time during the apostle’s Roman imprisonment (2 Ti. 4:11). Before writing Acts, Luke penned a gospel record of Jesus: the Gospel of Luke, the third book of the New Testament. He investigated the claims regarding Jesus’ miraculous birth, ministry, death, and resurrection by confirming and corroborating the firsthand accounts of people, specifically the apostles, who knew Christ (Lk. 1:3). Luke considered himself an examiner and purveyor of Jesus’ redemptive work. In that context, we find Acts is not a stand-alone narrative, but a continuation of an endeavor to validate the evidence of a real Messiah, a Messiah Who actively directs His followers. 

  Acts possesses the style and structure of Luke’s Gospel. It is laid out in a sequential, detailed manner. It concentrates on the protective nature of God, the presence of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It apportions adequate focus to both Jewish and Gentile conversions. It chronicles healings delivered to the marginalized, or outcasts, of society. It mentions the names of several female believers, highlighting the critical role of women in the expansion of Christianity. It underscores the humility that characterized the apostles. 
       Although it is not often mentioned by name, the church is a focal topic in Acts. Interestingly, the word church has Greek and Hebrew origins. Church is the English translation of the Greek word ekklesia, which denotes someone who has been “called out”. Christians are called out of bondage and depravity through salvation, and thereby have a newfound purpose and motivation to serve God, as well as a yearning to tell others about grace. But the full weight of the church’s assignment must be considered by its connection to the Hebrew language as well. When Greek translations of the Old Testament were produced, they often ascribed ekklesia to the Hebrew word qahal, which is defined as “assembly” or “congregation”. Merging the Hebrew and Greek definitions together, the church is a called out assembly of believers who are endowed with the unending company of the Holy Spirit and charged to share their faith. The apostle Paul held such a high view of the church that he told the elders at Ephesus to carefully lead, or shepherd, the church of God (Ac. 20:28). Paul, like Luke, realized that the church is for God’s glory; not man’s.    

Two key themes are reinforced throughout Acts: change and commitment. The change addressed is a total mind, heart, and soul makeover. The Holy Spirit, the mighty agent of God, is unveiled as a miraculous life-changer. Paul is the ultimate authentication of this truth. Once the principal persecutor of Christianity, Paul (formerly known as Saul) encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, surrendered belief and faith to Christ, and became one of the church’s greatest missionaries. The missionary exploits of Paul comprise the final thirteen chapters of Acts. Acts repeatedly draws attention to the Holy Spirit’s ability to be a transformative influence. 

The commitment emphasized in Acts entails the aspiration to declare the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The pioneer believers accepted and embraced this commitment. The pledge to honor Jesus, and the unwavering desire to worship Him, was the genesis of the church. With one heart, the disciples declared in private, and in public, that Jesus was worthy of living for, and worthy of dying for. As a result, God revealed Himself in amazing and equally wonderful ways. In fact, the very title of Acts is derived from the confirmation of the workings, or acts, of the Holy Spirit through the lives of the early church believers, notably the apostles.

A unifying purpose to preach the life of Christ tied people of diverse backgrounds and social standing together. Those that welcomed God’s call of salvation found a new motivation for life in Jesus, and longed for the fellowship of like-minded believers. The believers sought to foster godly dialogue and discussion in everyday life, particularly in the home setting, among family members and neighbors. Fusing the collective, corporate praise of God to the personal, relational, sacrificial, and communicative nature of God was a most astounding model. 

God initially bestowed the privilege and responsibility of advancing Jesus’ ministry, and legacy, upon less than one hundred and twenty men and women in Jerusalem. Men and women, consequently, who were untrained, undistinguished, and in need of considerable resources, at least from the world’s vantage point. But through the power of prayer, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, one hundred and twenty believers immediately swelled to three thousand. Soon thereafter, Christianity spread across Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and abroad.  

Conventional wisdom would not have entrusted these people with such a supremely vital mission. The church’s forerunners did not likely possess the sound, style, or swagger of polished, charismatic communicators. Surely they were deficient and ill-equipped to handle this enormous responsibility, or so some thought. But the original Christians were not unqualified or unable to handle the charge of presenting the gospel message to the nations from God’s perspective. The very people considered insignificant and irrational in the eyes of so many, particularly the Jewish leaders, became God’s chief kingdom-builders. Through God’s power, the inspiration and instruction of Jesus, and the provision of His Holy Spirit, a few men and women were able to reform the spiritual landscape of mankind and usher in a great awakening. 

Acts testifies that the first century disciples were spiritual trailblazers who often braved persecution in order to spread the saving knowledge that Jesus, the Son of God, sacrificed Himself for all of mankind. Met with resistance and rebuke, the believers were unshaken in their mission to make the life, and love, of Jesus known. May we follow the path they established. May we possess a loving spirit, even when confronted with atheism, skepticism, and criticism. May we be a voice that offers emancipating truth in a lie-ridden world. May we be living examples of redemption and righteousness, not so that we will receive the praise, but so that God will. May we lead morally lost people to Christ’s eternal peace. May we be the called out assembly, the church, God intended us to be – a body of believers willing to risk everything as evidence of our faith.