In the introductory lecture, I noted that the main theme of this course is the investigation of one of the most important turning points in history, the transition from Pagan Rome to Christian Rome. The years right after the time of Jesus are critical in understanding that period, and that's what we'll be concentrating on for the next 1/3 of the course. The Book of Acts is a good place to start, giving us a good overview of this period. Please skim the first 12 chapters of Acts, then go back and read more carefully one or two chapters. Pick out three or four things in the section you read that seem to you worth discussing in class as we talk about the surprisingly rapid growth of the church. What's going on that helps the church grow? What obstacles to growth you see here?
A good chapter to see both growth and obstacles to growth is chapter 8. Its easy to see obstacles to growth in the chapter, because it opens with the resolution of Stephen's "trial" and his stoning. Saul, who later becomes Paul, approves of Stephen's death, and proceeds to go from house to house, dragging out both men and women and putting them into prison. In the next section, we see Philip go down to Samaria and preach the gospel. As a result, many were baptized, and the church sent Peter and John down to give them the holy spirit. Even though Saul is putting many Christians in prison, the apostles are still working to grow the church, even into Samaria. Another major growth in the church was Philip bringing the gospel to the Ethiopian. In chapter 8 we are shown the gospel reaching out much further than Jerusalem. The church grows into not only Samaria, but to an Ethiopian as well, and if he were to share the gospel with people in his home country, then the gospel would be spread to Africa as well.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot in Acts that contributes to the rapid growth of the church but a few things stick out to me.
ReplyDeleteActs 1:4-5 "you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Jesus' words here promised the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, which happened with Pentecost but also throughout Acts to the new disciples.
Acts 4:32-34 "but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all."
Having great grace upon the disciples would relate to having the Holy Spirit. Additionally, having everything in common both materially and spiritually would have made a new faith much easier.
Acts 7:58 "Then they cast him [Stephen] out of the city and stoned him."
Acts 12:2 "He killed James the brother of John with the sword,"
The amount of those who are martyred seems to do the opposite of what the persecutors are hoping. They want the disciples to stop preaching but by being martyred the other living disciples are motivated by the how serious and how true the message is. No one would willingly die for a lie, and certainly not one they so eagerly shared.
In Acts 8 Stephen is a martyr and eventually killed for his faith. This somewhat frazzled other believers in christ because they may not have been as dedicated to the belief as stephen and were possibly unwilling to pay that same price
ReplyDeleteIn Acts 3 Peter actually performs a miracle and heals a lame man. This give even more of a backbone to the movement and more credibility because now it isn't just jesus doing these things.
In Acts 4-5 The apostles get arrested and are threatened not to preach. Regardless of this they say that they must obey their god and retain their courage and belief even through imprisonment. Showing other that this religion is something special as these men absolutely refuse to break.
Lastly in Acts 5 the death of ananias and sapphira due to their lies of generosity they gain a sudden death. This brought the idea of moral corruption and could have destroyed the credibility of christianity if continued.
In Acts 7 it talks about Persecution and how it was widespread. This helps the church grow because persecution forces geographic spread. It then goes on to talk about it in Act 8 where they say "Those who were scattered went about preaching the word."
ReplyDeleteIn Acts 2 through 4 they talk about how the apostles were preaching everywhere and publicly. This obviously helps the church grow because everyone can hear them speaking and they an go with them when they hear it.
Also in Acts 2 its talks about how the community was getting together and praying and caring for each other. This will help the church as many people will see what these people are doing and want to be apart of that as well.
In Acts chapter 4 Peter and John are shown standing firm and proclaiming the gospel to the Jewish leaders. The leaders are in shock by the amount of confidence and competence that came from untrained men. When they were finally released from prison that definitely gave the church momentum.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Stephen is also an important figure to focus on. The start of the persecution and the first martyr. Yet he didn't waiver in his faith and he accepted the stoning while looking up towards heaven. He went out well and for everyone to see he wasn't afraid.
You don't have the church without Paul's conversion. This is the beginning of his journey to becoming a great servant of Christ who wrote a quarter of the New Testament. Also a great example of the worst of these receiving mercy and grace.
Then lastly probably the Day of Pentecost. This was the start of it all and revealed the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. This was the power that was relied on to advance the gospel message. Able to speak in different talks to reach other cultures and demographics.
Acts 5:12-16 talks about the apostles doing miracles and healing the sick in general. It also mentions how people were joining the believers in multitudes. Miracles and caring of the sick are one factor that contributes to the growth.
ReplyDeleteAn obstacle to growth is mentioned in the passage following in verse 17. This verse mentions that the apostles were thrown into public prison, and the reason listed is because of the jealousy of the high priests and Sadducees.
Another thing that helps the growth of the movement is the opening up of it to everyone. This is showed pretty well in chapter 10, and I specifically like verses 34-35.
In Acts 8 26-40, we see Philip's intentional encounter with the man from Ethiopia. Since an angel of the Lord had told him to walk the desert road, Philip did it. After the Holy Spirit told him to walk next to the chariot, he asks the Ethiopian official if he understands what he is reading in the book of Isaiah. Philip then proceeds to share the good news of Jesus with the official who then asks to be baptized.
ReplyDeleteWhat sticks out to me is how Philip didn't complain about going south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is likely a trek. He willingly goes. After meeting the official, he then recognized his purpose for why the Holy Spirit had sent him on the journey. Sort of like a quarterback, Philip accurately completes the pass. This is where he shares the saving power of Jesus with the Ethiopian and he willingly accepts it. The last thing that is really cool about this account is how after baptizing the Ethiopian, Philip was suddenly swept away by the Spirit of the Lord. This shows how the Lord can do what he wants willingly with the servants who are willing to share His word. Also, none of the members give glory to themselves. They point out that the good works/miracles are because of Jesus of Nazareth. Only through his perfect sacrifice were we all saved.
Obviously, when the believers share the message and let he Holy Spirit work, the gospel spreads quickly. An obvious obstacle would include members who were martyred for their beliefs in Jesus. These individuals only strengthen their arguments because after dying, many realized that they truly died for their Godly beliefs.
Acts 4:32-36 - I believe this would be important because it shows how we share our possessions to help others in the church, and I think that would be important.
ReplyDeleteAnother one I think would be Acts 5, where they talk about the persecution of the apostles. I think that would be an interesting thing to talk about.
I also think that chapter 8 would be important. I say this because it talks about the expansion of the church
I think probably the most important part was the role and introduction of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in chapter 2. It's clear to see the influence of the HS through the apostles' and disciples' move to bold public proclamation, power over persecution, and the sheer number of people that come to the faith. Persecution, I thoroughly believe, is another accelerant of the early church. There were multiple examples of obstacles and opposition along the way early in Acts, namely in Acts 5 when the apostles are persecuted. The most striking example of persecution leading to the spread of the Word is Stephen's martyrdom in Acts 7. Miracles also played a significant role. The apostles were able to outwardly back up the power they claimed through Jesus. Visible demonstrations of power carried much weight for onlookers and skeptics.
ReplyDeleteChapter 2 is an excellent display of key features the Early Church had at the very beginning of its ministry that made Christianity catch on rapidly.
ReplyDeleteThe first easily identifiable feature is church leadership. We see this throughout the chapter with a focus on Peter and communication. In Verse 4, the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostle, giving them the ability to speak and communicate. I believe this is a key feature early church leaders had! They could adapt the message to their audience. On that note, one of Peter's ministries is given to us. Peter's proclamation is about the Jews acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah.
Peter's speech brings me to my next detail: the message itself. The message of the disciples is one that the Early Church can thrive on. Anyone can know God and Jesus. They are based in truth and Love. No one ethnicity can claim them; instead, the message of salvation is for everyone (2:38).
One Last point chapter two exemplifies is the power of the Christian community. 2:42-47 of Acts discusses how the church goes about communal life. They help the oppressed, pray together, and worship the Lord. There is a saying, 'those who pray together stay together'. I believe the Early Church recognized the importance of community!