Upon the ascension of the Lord Jesus, the disciples returned to Jerusalem to await their baptism with the Holy Spirit. Once they had received power from on high, they immediately began proclaiming the word — the acts of the apostles had begun.
Adding to the ecclesia
Following Peter’s speech, 3,000 were baptized in one day (2:41). For the next while, “the Lord added to the church daily” (2:47). Upon the healing of the man lame from birth, about 5,000 were converted (4:4). In spite of every attempt to silence the apostles, “believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (5:14). Once the internal ecclesial welfare problem was straightened out, “the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly” (6:7).
But this was only the beginning. Persecution arose upon the stoning of Stephen and all but the apostles were scattered about the area preaching the word where they went. Multitudes were thus converted in Samaria (8:6) and Syria. And the great conversion of Saul occurred on the road to Damascus. All of this preceded the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles.
Once Peter obeyed the heavenly vision and baptized Cornelius, the effort began in earnest to carry the word to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Where they started
Sometimes people contend we ought to concentrate our preaching in bars and in derelict sections of town. But it is instructive to note that the apostles began preaching in the temple, and in city after city they went first to the synagogue where religious people could be found. In Philippi, where there was no synagogue, they went to the place where religious people commonly came together for the purpose of prayer and fellowship (16:13).
The record in Acts clearly indicates two points in this regard: 1) There are those with imperfect knowledge who need the pieces brought together correctly to see the whole truth. 2) There are those who have only experienced the futility and hopelessness of the world who are searching for clear explanations of God’s answers. These people are most likely found where religious matters are under serious consideration.
The speeches
In the Acts, we find many good examples of how to present the Truth.
In explaining the endowment of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, Peter does so by referring to Joel as having prophesied of the event. He goes on to explain how this was fulfilled through the power of the resurrected Christ who now sits on the right hand of God awaiting the time he will sit on David’s throne.
In Acts 3:11-26, Peter again preaches the power of faith in the risen Christ. He continues to exhort them concerning the restoration of all things spoken of by Moses and the prophets.
In chapter 4, he again reminds them of their rejection of the stone of Israel and points out specifically that there is no salvation in any other name than that of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom God raised from the dead.
Chapter 7 records the concise yet meaningful words of Stephen recounting the history of the Jews from Abraham to Solomon. He does not prove the supremacy of the Jews in the process but shows that God could not be confined in a building and limited by a race to be “their” God. God had chosen them, not the other way around; He could extend His invitation beyond the borders of Israel. In fact, he had started beyond those borders with Abraham in Ur and the enslaved people in Egypt. They tried to contain Him in stone while He had tabernacled in a man -the “just one;” and they had slain him, as they had all the prophets. They had received the law, but had neither kept it nor been instructed by it.
By this time, a distinct pattern is evident. The gospel is presented clearly, in unambiguous terms. Those who are guilty are identified as such but the offer of forgiveness and the promises of God are always prominent. Points are supported by copious references to the Old Testament and undeniable proof is advanced. No one is expected to accept a gospel they do not understand nor one that is not based on solid evidence.
A Question of love
A few months ago, we asked a question concerning the absence of the word “love” in Acts. Either phileo or agape (the two Greek words translated “love”) are found in every other book in the New Testament but not in Acts.
We received a suggestion from Bro. Dick Patterson of Verdugo Hills, CA that sounds good to us. They took the matter up at their Bible class and concluded that the book contained a voluminous record of love in action: God’s love in sending Christ; Christ’s love in giving himself and in continuing to work with his body, the ecclesia; the apostles’ love for God and Christ and for the people to whom they ministered. Love is demonstrated over and over in acts of self-sacrifice, in caring for others, in exposure to the dangers of preaching and in fulfilling one’s obligation to God. A very good answer.
May we add one thing: we did find one time where a related word is used. In Acts 20:37, the word translated “kiss” is kataphiko – to “kiss earnestly” (Strong’s concordance). That incident always brings to mind the times we have to separate from those of like faith. At such times, we too show our love, often in fond embraces. That one use conveys the whole purpose of the Acts of the Apostles — “to gather in one all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:10).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One