The Early Years of the Gospel

The Introduction

Please take your Bible and turn with me to the book of Acts. Last week we concluded our lengthy study of the Gospel of Matthew, which ended with the Great Commission to take the message of the gospel to all peoples. In the near future we will begin the exposition of Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians. But it seemed to me as I was prayerfully considering our new exposition that we should seek to bridge the narrative gap between the end of Matthew and Paul’s mission to Thessalonica, which is recorded in Acts 17:1-10. And so my goal is to do a three part overview of the first eighteen chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.

This week we will look at the Early Years of the Gospel as presented in Acts 1:1-8:3. The focus of this section of the book of Acts is on the Jerusalem mission. Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the intermediate years of the gospel which focuses on the spread of the message to Judea and Samaria, as well as the opening of the doors to spreading the gospel to the gentiles. The following week, Lord willing, we will look at the first two missionary journeys of Paul, which includes his brief ministry in Thessalonica.

My fear is that this message will come off more like a lecture than a sermon, since we are covering so much ground. So, please keep in mind that:

Christ has all authority to commission His followers to spread the message of the gospel.

Christ, through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, will supply the power and boldness that is needed to spread the message, even in times of persecution.

The believers highest priority is to spread the message of the gospel in the community in which they live.

As we begin, let’s consider

The Author

Luke — Paul’s frequent traveling companion

Luke was a physician and a historian

He frequently inserts himself into the narrative about Paul’s journeys with the reference to “we.”

Acts 16:16 ESV

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.

Therefore he was a reliable eyewitness to many of the events in the life of Paul

He probably wrote this historical account before the end of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (around A. D. 60-62)

The Purpose

Theophilus

An unknown person whose name means “Lover of God”

Both The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts were written for his benefit

Luke’s goal seems to be to put forth an orderly account of things regarding the ministry of Jesus (Luke) and the spread of the gospel message by the early church (Acts)

The Ascension of Christ

Luke’s narrative in Acts picks up where the gospel accounts left off. At some point, after the commissioning on the specified mountain in Galilee, Jesus and the apostles returned to Jerusalem. While there Jesus instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:4–5 ESV

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The apostles asked Jesus if He was going to establish His kingdom in Israel at this time. Jesus’ reply to their question actually provides the basic outline for the book of Acts.

Acts 1:7–8 ESV

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

It appears that immediately after making this statement Jesus was taken up into heaven right before their eyes.

Acts 1:9–11 ESV

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The Prayer Vigil

After Jesus’ ascension, the apostles along with many of the other disciples of Jesus (including Jesus’ family members) gathered in an upper room. During this time they, it would seem, had a lengthy prayer vigil. One of the more immediate outcomes of this prayer time was the choosing of Matthias to replace Judas as an apostle.

As you read through the Book of Acts you cannot help but to be impressed by the importance of prayer in the early church!

The Day of Pentecost

As we consider this we will look at the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and Peter’s first sermon.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The transformation that this provided

Tongues — languages

Acts 2:5–6 ESV

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

Peter’s First Sermon

The Content

This was prophesied of old by Joel

You crucified the Messiah (according to the definite plan of God)

The crucified Messiah was raised from the dead

God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ

The Outcome

Many of those who heard this sermon were grieved by it — understanding that they were objects of God’s wrath

They asked the apostles what they should do?

Repent and be baptized

About three thousand souls became followers of Christ on that day

The Fellowship of Believers

Acts 2:42–43 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Acts 2:46–47 ESV

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The Persecution Begins

Jesus had informed His apostles on the night of His betrayal that persecution would come.

John 15:18–21 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

Persecution began after Peter healed a lame man, and then preached his second sermon

Acts 4:1–4 ESV

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

The religious establishment questioned Peter and John about their power to heal

Peter proclaimed that it was under the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, whom God raised from the dead

Acts 4:12 ESV

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The council ordered them to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus

The Proper Reason for Civil Disobedience

When governing authorities order the believer to stop speaking about Jesus then it is time for peaceful civil disobedience.

Acts 4:19–20 ESV

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

This whole incident resulted in great boldness within the church in Jerusalem.

This boldness is seen in their continued witness

This boldness is seen in their financial support of the ministry of the church

The chastisement of Peter and John was just the beginning of the persecution of the followers of Jesus. In chapter five the persecution is turned up a notch.

Acts 5:12 ESV

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.

Acts 5:16–18 ESV

The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

This time an angel came during the night and let the apostles out of prison and gave them this directive

Acts 5:20 ESV

“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

Eventually they were found in the temple teaching about Jesus. The chief priests had them arrested again and brought before the council

Acts 5:27–28 ESV

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

But Peter once again responded that they must obey God rather than men

The council intended to kill the apostles, but were warned by one of the own not to do so

Acts 5:38–39 ESV

So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,

On this occasion they not only warned the apostle to stop preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, but they also beat them

The outcome was that the people rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ — and they worshiped

Division and Delegation

As the church continued to increase in size division occured between the native Jews of Israel and the Hellenistic Jews from the dispersion. The Day of Pentecost was one of those holidays in which a lot of Jewish pilgrims who had been dispersed all around the world, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the special day. Many of these visitors were wonderfully saved on that day and in the days following.

Apparently there was no organization in the early church at this point. Many of the believers lived in a communal setting with each supporting the other. Notable among them was Barnabas who sold a piece of land and donated the entire proceeds for the support of the community. It appears that the out-of-town widows were being neglected in the distribution of food. And this was the cause of division. It was brought to the apostles attention and they wisely chose to delegate the physical aspects of the ministry so they could keep their focus on teaching the word and the ministry of prayer. Hence the selection of the first deacons. Just a few things about this before we move on:

This is the first instance of congregational selection in the leadership of the local church

There was a high standard set for those who would serve as deacons

They had to have a good reputation

They had to be full of the Spirit

They had to be wise

Two of the men stand out from the rest

Stephen

Philip — my namesake

These two men become the focus of the narrative of the remainder of chapter 6 through chapter 8

The First Martyr

Notice verse 8.

Acts 6:8 ESV

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Hellenistic Jews began to dispute with Stephen but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking

Taking a lesson form the Sanhedrin they concocted a false narrative against him, claiming that they heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God

This incited, not only the Hellenistic Jews but also the Sanhedrin as well

Acts 6:12–14 ESV

And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

The high priest allowed Stephen to give an answer to the charges against him. In doing so this well-spoken deacon traced the history of the nation of Israel from the calling of Abraham through the building of the Temple of Solomon. He ended with these words:

Acts 7:48–53 ESV

Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?’ “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

“Them was fightin’ words!”

The mob mentality took over and they rushed Stephen out of the city and stoned him to death

Acts 7:55–58 ESV

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Enter Saul of Tarsus

The young man named Saul eventually became the Apostle Paul, but not before he wreaked havoc on the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 8:1–3 ESV

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

As we move things to a close this morning, I hope that you recognized that the more the church was persecuted, the more the message of the gospel was spread. The fact that so many were willing to risk imprisonment and even death for the sake of the message of the gospel gives an authenticity to the message itself.

For the Jewish audience in both chapters 2 and 3 this gospel message began with Jesus. This audience was quite familiar with the things that had recently happened.

They were familiar with who Jesus was

They were familiar with the signs and wonders that He performed

They were familiar with His death on the cross

They were familiar with the account of His resurrection (though they may have been duped by the false story spread by the religious establishment)

Beginning with Jesus, in chapter 3, Peter announced that the lame man who had been healed was healed by faith in the name of Jesus. Then Peter said this:

Acts 3:17–21 ESV

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

Even today it is appropriate to begin the message of the gospel with Jesus for those who have grown up in church and are familiar with the biblical accounts, but have never embraced the message. Like Peter we need to clearly explain what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

But we will see in the weeks to come that when the message of the gospel is shared with those who are unfamiliar with the biblical account, then the starting point should be in Genesis 1:1.

Perhaps you are like the Jews whom Peter spoke with in the early chapters of Acts. You attend church on a regular basis. Perhaps the folks at church don’t ever recognized that you have never embraced the message of the gospel. If so I encourage you to embrace the message of the cross and the empty tomb and be saved. Then you will be able to understand what Peter meant when he referred to times of refreshing.

Believer, I want to encourage you to have no fear when it comes time to share the message of the gospel. As Peter once wrote:

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

For next week I’m giving you a homework assignment: Read Acts chapters 8-12 as we will be looking at the intermediate stage of the spread of the gospel.

Let’s pray.

Closing Song: #448

I’ll Tell the World That I’m a Christian