As I continue my journey through the Bible this year, here are my highlights and thoughts from Acts:

  • I think it’s humorous that they prayed then they essentially drew straws to decide who should take the place of Judas in ministry and leadership.
  • Peter was characterized as having a "bold urgency" in his ministry.
  • The early church was all about growth. "Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved." And, "…the congregations become stronger in faith and larger in size." Do you think God is disappointed when churches don’t grow?
  • We need to make sure our feet are pointed in the right direction. "Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you , and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus."
  • Peter and John had a powerful ministry even though they had no training in Scripture and no formal education. What they did do, however, was spend time with Jesus.
  • Unity was a high value in the early church.
  • I love this response to critics of the early apostles: "Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it–and you better not be found fighting against God!"
  • Sometimes God lets us choose our own way and live with the consequences.
  • There’s no questioning the power of the Holy Spirit in the growth of the early church. "The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully."
  • I love it that my faith is one that embraces all people. "God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from–if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open."
  • Paul and Barnabas handpicked leaders in each church. Interesting. No voting.
  • At one point, the religious leaders where chastised for trying to "out-god God" by loading the new believers down with rules.
  • Paul quoted poets of the day to help introduce people to Jesus. Who are our poets of the day?
  • I love Paul’s engagement of people where he was "doing his best to make the things of the kingdom of God real and convincing to them." That’s an active faith and ministry. Part of our responsibility in ministry is to convince people of their need for Jesus.
  • "Curiosity about Paul developed into reverence for the Master Jesus." I’d love for people to say the same thing about me.
  • Do you think Paul shortened his sermons after the incident when the boy feel asleep during his message and fell out the third-story window? Can you imagine what the conversation must have been like in the debrief meeting for that service?

Acts is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I’m inspired every time I read it because it talks so specifically about the growth and impact of the early church. I’m quite confident that the church today can also experience that type of growth and impact in people’s lives.

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