The book of Acts provides us with an incredible historical account of the birth of the early church. The world is profoundly changed as Christ ascends and commissions his disciples it carry out his plan on Earth. The global spread of the church came in waves from this point, and continues in our day both locally and internationally. We can learn from the early church not by idealizing it but rather by imitating it.

During the Jewish Festival of Weeks, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and the new chapter of the church officially begins. Peter conveys the God's message of reconciliation to the crowds that have gathered, pointing to the prophecy that has been fulfilled in the book of Joel. We have been entrusted with this same message of reconciliation, and can have the same confidence in the Holy Spirit to work through us to reach the world with it!

The early church is formed with it's foundation as the Holy Spirit, binding the Christians together as a family in Christ. As the Christ-followers drew near to God they also drew near to each other, experiencing "koinonia", or fellowship. There is a distinction here between going TO church and being IN fellowship. In fellowship we experience intimate community, characterized by warmth, acceptance, reliance, trust, generosity, and gratitude. As we consider what God has done in our own lives through fellowship, we can be thankful and press on to continue to serve others in order to deepen that community.

The description of the early Church in Acts 2 details the transforming effect of the Word of God, as the people prayed and praised God together they were unified by His Spirit. Rather than living autonomously, the people had unity in their shared purpose. Our purpose today is the same, to bring the message of human sin and God's free gift of forgiveness to the world! \r\n \r\n\r\n

Peter and John heal a lame beggar and are arrested by the Jewish leaders, but refuse to stop proclaiming the message of Christ because they know it to be true. We are motivated in our spiritual lives by the core convictions we hold. These convictions are: 1) based upon what God has already done, 2) persuaded by His Word, and 3) result in taking action. We should strive to cultivate spiritual convictions in our lives.

The church faces it's first major internal threat - hypocrisy. Motivated by a desire for recognition, the believers are tempted to exchange authenticity for a fake and self-serving spirituality. God is deeply offended by hypocrisy in the church because it: 1) is a misrepresentation of who He is; 2) poisons true spiritual community; and 3) results in spiritual compromise. Rather than trying to put on a good front, we should strive to be real and show truth in our actions and not just our words. \r\n\r\n

Conflict begins to arise within the early church over some significant needs and barriers. Conflict is a barrier to true unity, resulting either in broken relationships or relationships that have grown cold. True community leads to a greater understanding of ourselves and others, as we learn how to stick it out with people even when times get hard. When we learn to have humility and to serve others we see that a true community is made. \r\n

Persecution continues in the early church. Stephen is accused of blasphemy, and is put on trial. He gives his defense before the court, reminding them of God's grace and provision throughout history. Stephen understood God's heart - what He cared for the most - do we display that same understanding? If so, we should be telling others! The same God of History that Stephen speaks of is with us too. \r\n

As persecution increases, Saul of Tarsus enters the scene as a great enemy of Christians. Philip goes to proclaim the message of Christ in Samaria, bridging a cultural gap made from 1000 years of enmity and prejudice. We can also bridge the gaps in our culture, reaching those in our community with whom we are not naturally connected. \r\n\r\n

Phillip is given a divine appointment on a desert road. He responds and finds an Ethiopian eunuch searching for truth in Isaiah 53. Phillip is able to explain the relevance and significance of this passage, and the eunuch comes to Christ! The Holy Spirit will lead us to divine appointment too, to the "crossroads of time and eternity". Will you walk down that road? \r\n\r\n

God pursues one of the most unlikely converts to the Christian faith. Saul becomes Paul in an epic confrontation with the risen Christ. He is stricken with the realization that he has been fighting the living God, and yet there is grace available even to him. Many of us are also "unlikely", but God pursues us nonetheless out of His incredible mercy. As a result we are given freedom and a new purpose, just like Paul!\r\n\r\n

As the gospel continues to spread, God reveals to Peter that there is no longer a distinction between Jews and Gentiles and sends him to Cornelius to bridge the cultural barrier and bring God's message of grace. We have many things that can hold us back from answering God's call, but we should recognize that God works in unexpected ways and be willing to trust Him. \r\n

Barnabas is sent to Antioch, where the followers of Christ eventually are first called Christians. He is greatly built up by what he finds and rejoices in God's goodness. True to his name, "Son of Encouragement" Barnabas builds up the church through the power of the Holy Spirit, and later recruits Paul to spend a year there with him teaching and encouraging the church. We can also build others up, being an advocate for them as we impart God's love and grace. \r\n\r\n

Barnabas and Saul are commissioned by the Christians in Antioch and sent to Cyprus and then Galatia. On their missionary journey they encounter spiritual opposition, and have the chance to speak before a governor. Through this passage we see that being sent by God involves prayer, the direction of the the Holy Spirit, and consistency with God's calling. We are also commissioned to spread the same message of grace and freedom!

Paul and Barnabas perform a miracle in Lystra and are mistaken for Greek gods. Paul responds by preaching the gospel, pointing to the evidence God has provided through His creation. Through God's creation we see that He is personal and we as humans bear His image. Through knowing God we can find true fulfillment and significance!

Paul and Barnabas go up to Jerusalem to figure out the issue of salvation and how it pertains to circumcision, something the Judaizers had begun teaching to others. The issue being discussed among the Council was if circumcision was necessary across cultures, and not simply for the sect of the Jewish people. Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James all come to agreement that God saved people through grace, not by circumcision or works of the Law. They want to encourage the Gentiles to use their freedom in Christ to love others.

During Paul's second missionary journey, he makes a stop at the city of Philippi. During their time at Philippi, they encounter many different people that all come to faith in Jesus. The first is Lydia, a wealthy and single woman selling purple fabrics that is seeking God. The second is a possessed slave girl that is liberated through the good news of God's grace and freed from her bondage. Lastly, the Philppian jailer, while initially uninterested and unmerciful, is shown mercy and comes to know Jesus after coming to the end of his self. Each of these encounters in Philippi reflect the principle that God meets us where we're at and provides us with what we need to find him.

Paul's second missionary journey reveals several principles about living lives as servants. The first principle is that God works through broken people, as evidenced through the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. It also shows the need for servants of God to take chances, be challenged and grow from failure. Secondly, servants of God will relate to the culture around us, while remaining distinct, to reflect God to those who don't know Him. Lastly, servants who want to be used by God are led by the Holy Spirit. Practicing these principles will keep us effective in glorifying God with our lives.

On his second missionary journey, Paul waits for Silas and Timothy in Athens, where he interacts with Jews and Gentiles. Through their interactions, there are some principles with how to communicate about Christ with people from different cultures: 1) spiritual sensitivity; 2) earning the right to be heard through humility and grace; 3) communicating about who God is and why that matters; and 4) presenting the Gospel as an answer for people's real needs.

During his second missionary journey, Paul visits the city of Corinth. Corinth was a "hub" for spirituality and immorality located near the sea. As Paul interacted with the Corinthians and established a church there, we learn many principles that tested Paul, including: 1) working hard for God by sharing his life with the Corinthians; 2) by becoming at tent maker and being inclusive to the people around him; and 3) encountering fear to speak about God amidst the Corinthians. One of the most important ways to deal with fears is to remember God's promises and how He is actively at work and near us, which motivates us to be faithful with what He has for us to do.

During his second missionary journey, Paul visits the city of Ephesus. He stayed at Ephesus for three years, as the city had become a strategic center for spirituality. While there, an amazing spiritual transformation took place as many came to believe in Jesus and remove themselves from occult practices and magic publicly. There was also strong opposition from Demetrius the silversmith, leading to a riot within the city. Before Paul leaves, he gives a farewell address to the leaders of the church at Ephesus, which demonstrates different principles of servant leadership: 1) personal engagement with those who God's put in your lives; 2) telling the truth; 3) answering God's call and being a good steward; 4) looking after and protecting God's people as shepherds of the flock.

During his second missionary journey, Paul made his way to Jerusalem to help give relief with a famine that had occurred. He did this to establish unity amidst chaos and ended up spending two years in prison. Despite these circumstances, Paul learns more about God's sovereignty and how that was fully realized in the cross. A primary lesson Paul learned during his time in prison was considering the God he was following and how He would be glorified through this situation, not lamenting on why these circumstances happened to him. The questions of "who" and "how" are important for Christians to consider when encountering suffering, not to lament and become bitter and angry about "why" God would allow such things to happen.