ACTS ~ IntroductionSýnishorn

The Simple Pattern for the Spread of the Gospel 

If we read through the book of Acts, we’ll find, for example, that there is no mention of building projects undertaken by the early believing community. This was quite the norm of other popular faiths at that time even as it is now. Neither was the New Testament Church structure hierarchical. Almost anyone in the Roman Empire was aware of the hierarchy, but the apostles seemed to go against the tide by encouraging a democratic structure. Local leaders or elders were chosen to oversee their given area. Worship was participative and wasn’t run by a few professional clergymen. The pattern was simple, economical, reproducible, and rapid.

While Acts is descriptive and may not be prescriptive, it does not mean that the pattern can be discarded. For example, there’s no outright command to follow the pattern laid out in the book of Acts, but one cannot discount or disapprove its validity. It will do us well to emulate the example that’s been described.

The present state of affairs in the way we communicate the truth of the gospel to the way we have our gatherings falls short of the explosive power that we see in Acts. We have added, deleted, or modified some of these New Testament practices to such an extent that the very same New Testament practices are considered sacrilegious by some.

As we go through the book of Acts, may we draw out principles and patterns and adopt them into our context. Let us wait and act in the power of God’s Holy Spirit even as we surrender and make ourselves available to Him.

To continue studying on the Book of Acts, kindly follow the subsequent plan:

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17260/