Engage Reflections -- Acts 1-2

by ricks 4. January 2010 15:43
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Here are my reflections from the reading today.

1. Ingredients necessary for spiritual transformation. (Holy Spirit power -- 1:8; concern for the lost that leads to engagement, Peter pleaded with them -- 2:40; clear call to repentance, Peter called his Jewish audience to repent of their sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus and acknowledge that He is the Christ -- this represents a passion for Jesus as Lord, 2:38) 

2. How were they engaged? (prayer, praising God for His wonders; "devoted to the apostle's teaching and fellowship; to the breaking of bread and prayer . . . had everything in common . . . gave to anyone as he had need . . . praising God" Acts 2:42-47; They also were baptized in the name of Jesus which means that they trusted Jesus for forgiveness of sins and devoted themselves to follow Jesus. They aligned themselves with Christ.)

3. What is God saying to our church? (We need to engage people with the good news of salvation through Christ. We call people to engage in a relationship with Jesus Christ in which they follow Jesus by faith and worship Him as Lord.)

What are your thoughts?

 

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Comments

1/4/2010 7:48:39 PM #

Rick,
The only addition I would make to your list is the necessity of a social component in the first question. In my observations, the need for other believers seems inseparable from our need for individual salvation (Acts 1:14-they prayed together with one accord; 2:1-all together for Pentecost; Acts 2:42-47-corporate devotion)

It was the collaborative effort of the church that God honored. often I feel we (as the church) ignore the importance of each other alongside out personal individual faith.

-TNH-  

Tait Norman Hoglund United States |

1/7/2010 4:20:59 PM #

Well said, Tait -- a good reminder of our need for community to achieve the commission of Christ.

Rick Stapleton United States |

1/5/2010 6:37:43 AM #

Pastor Rick -
You captured my notes closely.  I would add the following:
1) Ingredients necessary for spiritual transformation:  
- True Christian fellowship (not talking about the Vikings or the cold weather, but REALLY engaging each other about Jesus), prayer and the reading of scripture.  This is a similar comment to TNH's above.
- God's sovereignty.  Kind of a given in all situations, but he guided the casting of lots for Matthias to be selected.  
- Peter preached the Word to his audience.  He used clear scripture references that pointed to the messiah (and that ultimately supported his confrontation with his audience about their sin - see next bullet).
- I would emphasize your point about a clear call to repentance.  Peter did not make a general "we have all sinned and need a savior" plea to his audience at the end of Acts 2.  His approach was direct, specific, and was VERY confrontational to his audience.  He told them directly that they had Jesus "nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put him to death." (2:23)  This is how people are "pierced to the heart" (2:37), by making a clear presentation of the Law to bring them to repentance.

2) How were the followers of Christ engaged?  
- See first and last bullet above.  They were transformed in the same manner they interacted and the type preaching they heard.
- The church engaged in benevolence (2:45 - "and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need").  We all are being swept away by society's general belief that the government should take care of people.  No - this was the church's responsibility first and we need to take it back.  Note that based on the context of this verse, they were taking care of fellow Christians.  Before meeting people's physical needs, they had to make sure the more significant spiritual needs were met.

3) What is God saying to our church and to me?
- Agree with your comments, Pastor Rick.  We have individual responsibility to call others to repentance and faith.  2:6b - "Each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language."  What were they (the crowd of unbelievers) hearing from "them" (all the believers, not just Peter in his sermon)?  They were speaking of the "mighty deeds of God" (2:11b), same Gospel message Peter gave in his sermon (repent and be baptized).  Evangelism is everyone's responsibility.  
- We need to be serious about benevolence within the church and make SURE we are taking care of our fellow believers during these difficult economic times.

Brett H United States |

1/7/2010 4:22:04 PM #

"Evangelism is everyone's responsibility." That's a key statement. Truth is that we all evangelize all the time -- it's just that we don't necessarily evangelize about the good news of Christ.

Rick Stapleton United States |

1/5/2010 11:40:05 PM #

The power of the Holy Spirit was evident in Acts and the early Christians relied on it and welcomed it. They expected Him to act with power and to answer their prayers. They knew that the Holy Spirit was what Jesus said was coming to them once He left the earth and that they could do the things He had done. I think His power is limited today, in the US particularly, because intellectuals can't comprehend it or Christians don't want to appear as wacky or there have been too many fakes. I used to be a skeptic about the Holy Spirit and His power, but not anymore.

GLL United States |

1/7/2010 1:47:16 PM #

I agree with all that has been said.  Another comment I might add is that while getting involved in community is important, it is more important that we are witnesses wherever we go.  Good deeds without the Message are just good deeds.  There are many organizations that do good deeds, but unless we are feeding their souls with Truth, they are still lost.  One of the things that the people in Acts were attracted to was the love that the Christians showed for each other.  In a sense it made them jealous so they wanted to be a part of it.  People are drawn to Christians by the love they show to other, and to the hope the gospel of Jesus Christ gives. The gospel was preached to the people with great boldness, not fearing retribution or criticism, or even imprisonment.  Our society has been taught not to "offend" others with our beliefs, but that is what the Gospel does when it is preached, because it brings conviction.
I believe the reason they were so successful in reaching others was because they met together often and DEVOTED themselves to prayer.  Prayer is the essential ingredient here.  Prayer removes the obstacles and allows the Spirit to do His work to prepare men's hearts to receive the Gospel.

Jan Lamberty United States |

1/7/2010 4:23:39 PM #

Thanks Jan! Prayer is so crucial. And Acts 4:23-31 shows us a certain focus of prayer, too -- prevailing prayer -- a kind of prayer that seeks for God's Kingdom to come -- much more than personal comfort or security. Prayer precedes the work of God. Keep on praying! Thanks.

Rick Stapleton United States |

1/7/2010 2:05:37 PM #

So, with all the above comments, why don't we become a church like the one in Acts?  Let's work this year to let Hutchinson KNOW that we love each other and take care of each other's needs.  How do we get everyone to come together to pray on a regular basis (besides Sun. morning)?  Is there a more effective way to know what the needs of our congregation are so they can be met in a timely manner?  Are we doing all we can as a body to help each other?

Darcee United States |

1/7/2010 4:27:44 PM #

Great questions! Scripture certainly emphasizes that the church must care for its own. That was a powerful attractant to Christ for many in that day simply because they could actually see the love of Christ being demonstrated between believers. When people see the love of Christ, it's very powerful -- they notice. However, one point I've been trying to make for the last 2 + years of ministry here is that we as a church (like most American churches) are so separate from the world that the world doesn't know us; never sees the wonderful demonstration of Christ's love that is happening through us; and therefore needs to have some avenue where they can see and experience the love of Christ through Christ-followers. Let's take care of each other, yes. And, let's demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways so that people can "see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Rick Stapleton United States |

5/20/2012 8:51:00 AM #

I think our engagement is most effective when done in the proper order:
1. Personally
2. Corporately (1:14)
3. Outwardly (2:14 ff)

100000651272532 |

5/20/2012 8:51:00 AM #

What struck me were the words, had everything in common...enjoyed each other.  I agree with the comments in questions 1&2, but would suggest that what is also lacking/ missing in terms of engagement is that the body of Christ no longer has the commonality of the early church.  This division has made us weaker and less effective.  Not sure where I am going with this except that it is a componant that no longer exists in the Christian church.  

683476434 |

5/20/2012 8:51:00 AM #

The power of the Holy Spirit was evident in Acts and the early Christians relied on it and welcomed it.  They expected Him to act with power and to answer their prayers.  They knew that the Holy Spirit was what Jesus said was coming to them once He left the earth and that they could do the things He had done.  I think His power is limited today, in the US particularly, because intellectualss can't comprehend it or Christians don't want to appear as wacky or there have been too many fakes.  I used to be a skeptic about the Holy Spirit and His power, but not anymore.

659851019 |

5/20/2012 8:51:00 AM #

The Holy Spirit is a factor in Acts in a big way and His Presence and Power were not limited by doubt, skepticism and intellectualism on the part of the disciples as it is today.  The Holy Spirit was welcomed and expected after Jesus went back up to heaven.

659851019 |

5/20/2012 8:51:00 AM #

Thanks for all these great comments. To summarize -- A personal, corporate (unified), outward commitment to join the Holy Spirit in His work. I think there are more essentials but these are significant themes. Thanks.

1485908163 |

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