ACTS

ACTS was written by Luke on 61-64 AD. He is one of the writer of the four gospel whom was also a physician. The story started with conversations between Jesus and His disciples afther his resurrection. Then after 40 days long explaining about the Kingdom of God, Jesus went up to heaven.

Beside containing about history of church or history of Christian in the first century, ACTS also contains about the work and the power of the Holy Spirit which was promised by Jesus to His disciples. They were waiting Him and gather together and pray. And so from there able to be witnessed how God worked to started His church, to build up His church, expand and develop His church. Starting from the day of Pentacost until the church grow and expand to many other places. The spirit that had been promised brought Philip to meet an eunuch. He was also who convinced Peter that God also accepts non Jews or the Gentiles. Peter had been met uniquely with Italian soldier named Cornelius who then become His disciples and baptized into Christ.

Therefore able to be concluded that God is not ignore the Gentiles but grace them the salvation. He is not only save the Jews but also non Jews. This is important to recorded because since long ago the Jewish people thought that they the descendants of Abraham only whom to be saved. Even included the apostles like Simon Peter thought the same.

So, how important is this book. Without meaning to exalt it over the other books, certain leaders of Christians see it as the favorite book. Because, ACTS is an inspiration and motivation to them. From there they could see, find big gaps about the quality of church or Christian between the first century and today Christian. Beside that, leader or the Christians people also able to get conviction or encouragement that God surely bless and protect His church, even in the midst of difficulties, hard time and persecution.

Just like what was happened to the church and the disciples of Christ in the first century, they were persecuted. The apostle like Peter and John were brought to the board of chief priest. They were wounded and prisoned. But, there are also told about how God released them from the prison and through many other danger. Including about the apostle Paul who was also save from the hunt of the Jews who swore to kill him. And the funny thing is, by His unique way, God protect Paul by escorting him with huge number of Roman soldiers until finally arrived to the city which Paul had been prayed for to be there which was Rome.

ACTS finally noted many stories about Paul. This thing prove that after the separation with Barnabas and Mark or also named as John, Paul continue His missionary with Timothy, Aristarchus, Demas, Titus and a physician who called Luke. Luke was the one who give medicine, check and maintain Paul’s health who probably had problem at the part of his eyes, and other wound because of persecution. Therefore, Luke who was looked just a physician, actually had a most important role and very meaningful for the Christianity even until today. Because, the book that he wrote which is ACTS also gave a clear picture about backgrounds for the letters of Palu and churches that he had builded.

As the addition, these following are important notes which from that we are able to get picture about Christian people in the first century.
1. About forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit receives through repentance and baptism (see Act 2:38)
2. About what should be done by Christian at the service. They pray, praising God, breaking bread, listen to the Word or the teaching from the apostles, and to have fellowship. They were united, joy, sincere and happy (see Act 2:42-47)
3. About evangelism: every member of the church involved, no exception. Not only the apostles or certain people only. Christians should be have God mission in their heart and soul. Even been persecuted, the church goes, and split. Not for self pity but to spread the Word. Even in that kind of situation, church become many and grow also in numbers.
4. About their position their civilitation. Christian in the first century also respected and like by many people especially interms of their integrity, love and their care towards others.
5. About unity and leadership of church. The apostle choose other kind of leader like Stephen who then was stoned by the Jews but saluted by Christ.
6. About the power of the holy spirit and the authority of leader in the church. Ananias Saphira died soon after they lied to the apostle of Peter.
7. ACTS also noted the turning point of the persecutor Saul who then repented and named as Paul, the last and the great apostles of Jesus Christ.
8. Etc



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