And wouldn’t you want to follow a Lord who encouraged this attitude in his followers? The book of Acts is the inspired history of the early church. The Book of Acts – EXTERNAL Challenges Which the Early Church Faced. The final use of  “church” exhorts local leaders to shepherd the church, the called-out, of God. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Philip “preached Christ unto them” so that “the people with one accord” believed what he taught, and “there was great joy in that city.” Yet in this very same region where Jesus Christ had witnessed about himself not long before (John 4:40-43), there was now a man named Simon who “used sorcery, and bewitched the people.” The Samaritans thought that Simon was “the great power of God.” His evil spiritual influence made it difficult for the people to receive the fullness of God’s power in their lives. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality. I enjoyed this simple, straight-forward writing clearly showing how the church (eklesia) was first instituted and Acts 15:41: The church was actually born on the Day of Pentecostwhen the Holy Spirit came upon believers. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. Local home fellowships, called churches, were held in believers’ private homes with a leader spiritually overseeing each church. Peter reached out from his local area of Jerusalem and won others to stand in their local areas. One notable conversion contained in Acts is that of Saul of Tarsus. Peter let the local leaders in Jerusalem know about his reaching out to the Gentiles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Do we place the same value on meeting together? Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Let’s see God’s heart for His church today by studying this word. He went to Caesarea and to his beloved local church in Antioch. Learn how your comment data is processed. Galatians 2:9: Thank you Gene Slavit for this wonderful article! One of these leaders, Agabus, received revelation on an upcoming need that would affect the church at Jerusalem. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. But too often we get caught up in loving the thought of having lots of money to ourselves. They also went there because that’s where the most mature ministers lived who could help find a solution that would benefit the whole church. This word literally means to “call out” and refers to called-out born-again believers twenty times in Acts. Some have suggested the name “The Acts or Gospel of the Holy Spirit” – Shows what the Holy Spirit did through the early church. Answer: The church began on the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after the Passover when Jesus died and rose again. Each believer was to be a bold witness of Jesus Christ and to speak God’s Word. God worked in other ministers to support this new local church in Antioch, according to verse 27: “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.” Once again, God worked in church leaders to visit areas that needed their help. Galatians 1:18 says that Paul “went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.” Here was Paul, a “younger” minister, seeking the help of Peter, a mature and experienced energized minister, who lived in Jerusalem. The early church met not just on Sundays, or on Friday night, or for a mid-week Bible study. This doesn’t mean we HAVE to go to church every single day. They were committed to meeting together every day, to encourage one another, learn together and worship the Lord. This was the city where Herod and other religious leaders had stood against Jesus Christ and later the apostles. Peter and the Conversion of the Gentiles 6. Book of Acts The book of Acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Looking at the “churches” in the Book of Acts we see the following: Some key points can be noted about God’s desire for local witnessing, fellowship, leadership, and finances: With the true local perspective of the church, along with the support of energized ministers, we can encourage individual believers to boldly speak God’s Word as witnesses for Jesus Christ, fellowship in their homes, and share of their abundance where needed. 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