Acts and the New Testament Church of God

Well, brethren, I was very glad to see that the book of Acts had been selected as the next book of the Bible for our teens to study, and to be covered in the very exciting Bible Jeopardy games that will be happening this afternoon. I hope you'll join us for that. I know many of our teens have been diligently reading and studying this book for the past month or two. I know parents have been actually playing the book of Acts by tape or video, CD, in their cars. So I know that people have been looking into the book of Acts. It is a fascinating, one-of-a-kind book of the Bible. No other book gives the details that shaped the New Testament Church of God like the book of Acts. Not even close. Why were so many people willing to die and suffer persecution for what they believed? Why did the early apostles and the brethren believe so fervently and faithfully? And why did the church grow so quickly in the beginning? Why did it also struggle with so much opposition and persecution? Now, I decided to give this sermon for three important reasons, and we'll call it Acts in the New Testament Church of God. I decided to give it for three important reasons. Number one, I've been fascinated with the book of Acts since I was a teenager, and I consider it the most inspiring of all the books of the Bible. And all of the books are inspiring, but I find this one personally the most inspiring. Secondly, Acts has some amazing true accounts of what happened in the earliest days of the New Testament Church of God. And there are very, very important lessons that God wants all of us to learn from considering the book of Acts. And thirdly, I thought I would do you teenagers a favor.

I thought I would give you a good review and an overview of the book of Acts, at least the first half, because I seriously don't think I'll get through the whole book. I'll be happy if I can cover the first 14 chapters. So I'll be flying, so buckle up.

Now, I figured some of you teenagers might be tempted to study the book of Acts anyway during the sermon. Kind of tune out and study the book of Acts, because I would do that sort of thing myself, probably back in the old days. So you don't have to do that. You can pay attention. You can listen. You'll learn more if you just pay attention to this sermon. And you'll do better at Bible Jeopardy, so pay close attention. So what did happen to shape the New Testament church, and what lessons may be learned from the events detailed in the book of Acts? Now, as we go through this sermon, please be aware of the following three facts that are repeatedly seen occurring in the book of Acts. Number one, the signs and wonders, the miracles that are listed in the book of Acts, are true. There are eyewitnesses' accounts of every one of these miracles, these wonders, these signs. They did happen, and those who were eyewitnesses and called of God believed in the power behind those miracles. Notice I said, eyewitnesses who were called of God. Now, there were those who were not called of God. They saw the miracles, too. But they rejected those miracles. They did not have faith, and they did not have faith in the power behind those wonders and signs. Secondly, the disciples...and when I talk about the disciples, I'm going to mean the apostles, the twelve apostles, actually only eleven by this time, although there was a twelfth that took place, you know, took Judas Iscarias' place. So the apostles and the true brethren, they're all disciples. We're all disciples. You are a disciple. I am a disciple. We're all disciples of Christ. So the disciples had a great willingness to preach boldly Jesus Christ as their Savior, and also they taught boldly the coming kingdom of God, the gospel of the kingdom, which of course Christ being the king of the kingdom. Christ said, I and my Father are one. He came to bring the Father's desires and will to God's people.

So they were very willing to preach boldly these things, even though they were being persecuted, even though some of them were being murdered, some of the leaders were being killed. But it speaks very strongly of their belief and their faith, and we'll see that as we go through this first part of the book of Acts. And number three, another reason, or another fact about this as we go through, you'll see the love, the closeness, and the fellowship of the early church, and how it stands as an example to all of us. An example that we should all emulate today in God's church.

So again, three things to look for. The signs and the wonders, the miracles, the disciples' willingness to preach boldly, even though they were being persecuted and killed, they had great tremendous faith. And also the love, the closeness, and the fellowship of the early church of God. We need to emulate that now, today. So you're going to see these three facts repeated, emphasized, and bolstered throughout the sermon. So let's launch into chapter one. The book of Acts was written by Luke. Luke was a physician. He was a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul. After his resurrection, Jesus Christ shows himself alive for 40 days to many, many people. In fact, he even appeared to over 500 people at one time, according to 1 Corinthians 15. He gives his apostles commandments and instruction that were consistent with what we read in the Old Testament. I and my Father are one. Whatever the Old Testament was teaching and preaching, Jesus Christ upheld that. It's important to understand that and know that. He didn't bring new commandments, new instruction, except in certain ways, because he came to magnify the law, to make it even more honorable and to help us understand it better. But he certainly upheld what the Father and what he taught in the Old Testament. He told his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came, and they would become his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, all around Jerusalem, north in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Christ ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives. That could be a Bible Jeopardy question. And he's going to return in like manner. He is now our high priest in heaven. Now, only 120 disciples were faithful and gathered together on the day of Pentecost to await the coming of the promised Spirit of God. Why only 120? I mean, Christ had fed thousands, five or ten thousand at a time. Many miracles had been seen by many thousands of people, but there were only 120 that were actually there, gathered together, having the courage and the faith to believe in Jesus Christ and what he told them, that they were to wait until the coming of the Spirit. So, 120 there. What was the result of the Spirit's coming on that day of Pentecost? What should we expect from the Holy Spirit in our own lives? Should we not expect the same power, the same boldness, the same courage, the same faith, and the same ability to preach the gospel far and wide? These are all characteristics of God's Holy Spirit. Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Father is, and they have the Holy Spirit in common. It is their power. It doesn't change. Now, let's go to chapter 2. Peter gives a very compelling sermon. What boldness and conviction do we see in Peter? Peter, who had denied Christ three times. Now he's filled with the power of God's Holy Spirit. He's no longer cowardly. He's no longer denying Christ. He's speaking out very boldly. He has become a courageous man of God. Let's go to chapter 2. Let's go to the book of Acts, chapter 2. Let's read a powerful verse. I think it's one of the memory verses.

Acts chapter 2 gives us the formula for baptism. It shows us what we ought to be doing ourselves. After Peter taught this tremendous sermon, preaching Christ, Christ crucified, Christ resurrected, Christ is the Savior of mankind, it says in verse 37, when they heard this, they were cut to the heart. The people were cut to the heart. Many, many people were hearing this sermon. The 120 had the Holy Spirit fall upon them, but many more were hearing now, and they were asking, men and brethren, what shall we do? They were cut to the heart. What shall we do? And Peter said to them in verse 38, repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was a promise that God's Spirit would be given as a gift to those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and those who repented of their sins. They would receive the power of God Himself.

And notice verse 39, for the promise is to you and to your children, to all of those who would obey and follow God and accept Christ as their Savior, they would be called out, they would become holy as they yielded to God, and their children would also be holy. And they would have an opportunity as well to be called of God.

And to all who are afar off, that's talking about all of us, we're afar off from when this was first written and first spoken. To all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call, and that is the key. God is calling some. He's not calling most today on this earth. He's calling some. He's calling all of you. He wants a special relationship with each and every one of you, from the smallest child in here to the oldest person.

Let's read verse 41. Well, let's read verse 40. Well, let's read verse 40.

They kept the doctrines of God together, and many were called. Three thousand people were added at that time, and they were steadfast. And they ate together. They fellowshiped. They had potlucks, just like we're having today. This type of fellowship, that's what was going on in the early church. And also, they prayed faithfully. And I know that you are praying faithfully for God's people, for God's kingdom to come, for God's will to be done. There are many similarities between us and the early church. Fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Miraculous events were happening. Now, all who believed were together. They had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods. They divided them among all, as everyone had need. Now, this was a very unique time, a very special time. And again, there was a closeness that we should strive to have as well, as much as we possibly can. So, continuing daily with one accord in the temple—they were going to the temple, they were breaking bread from house to house, they were hospitable, they were fellowshiping with one another, and they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved, those whom He was calling, were being added. So, this was a powerful time in the early church.

Now, in chapter 3, we find that a lame man, a crippled man, is healed miraculously. Remember that event?

Peter and Paul—or John and—wait, John and Peter? Who was it? All right, let me make sure I do it. Peter and John. Peter and John came along, and they saw this person who was asking for alms, expecting to receive something. And in verse 6, Peter said, silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And that's exactly what happened. And many people saw it happen. And they knew it was miraculous. And they knew it to their inner core that there was a tremendous power that was being displayed. God's power, the power of His Holy Spirit. So he leaped up, he stood, and he walked and entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. And what a wonderful thing to see, to experience. And they were all amazed at what was happening in the early church. God was working mightily. This miracle was followed up with powerful preaching regarding Jesus Christ, regarding the resurrection, regarding the need to be converted. You can read about it in the book of Acts chapter 3 and 4. It says in chapter 4 that Peter and John were arrested because of this miracle and because of their powerful teaching. But by this time, already 5,000 people believed.

In chapter 4, let's look at verse 7. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, by what name have you done this? How is it that you've been able to be instrumental in this man being healed, this crippled man? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and let it be known to you. And to all the people of Israel, but that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, that's right, he didn't mince any words, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man stands here before you whole. Look at him. Admit it. See what God is doing. Accept it. Don't fight it. Don't resist it. Be a part of this. That was the plea. But those rulers, those leaders, Jewish leaders, many of them were not being called at that time, and they were resistant of God's Holy Spirit. And they were not pleased with this bold teaching and a threat to their authority.

In verse 10, it says, Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ, by none other, by him this man stands before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you, builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other. No matter what is taught, don't believe it, because there is no other name, no other faith, no other truth. And we all need to believe it. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. And God will eventually call all people to a knowledge of His truth, and they will come to understand His truth. Some will no doubt reject it, but the majority hopefully will humble themselves and accept it. But now is our day of salvation. Now is our time, because we're being called now. Judgment has begun upon the house of God, upon the people of God. Now is our day of salvation.

In verse 18, so they called them and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus. What audacity! But Peter and John answered and said to them, just as audaciously, whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen, and the things that we have heard. They were eyewitnesses, they saw it, they heard it, they believed it. They were willing to die for it. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them because of the people. Since they all glorified God for what had been done, for the man was over 40 years old, whom this miracle of healing had been performed. For 40 years, this man was crippled. This man was asking for alms, for handouts at the temple. Now he was healed. He was leaping and praising God. We all should praise God for His power, for His love, and for what He's doing in our lives.

Notice verse 29. Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. This was their prayer, that we may speak Your word by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, all whom God was calling. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. There was tremendous boldness. The disciples, Peter and John, were all filled with boldness.

And if you go down to verse 29 now, Now, Lord, look on Your threats, and again, look at the boldness that now we will speak with by stretching out Your hand to heal, that signs and wonders be done. Okay, I'm sorry, I read all that. Verse 32. Now, the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. That's what I wanted to bring out. They were of one heart and one soul. Brethren, we have one heart and one soul in common. It is God's heart. It's Christ's heart. God and Christ live in us. We have one heart and one soul, and that's what we should allow to motivate us. God's Spirit. Nothing else.

We should deny the flesh and allow the Spirit of God to work in us in such a way that we are knit together as God's people, faithful and true. So with great power, the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. So again, there was tremendous power in the early church. There was a great love, God's love in each of them.

Notice chapter 5. Not everyone got it, though. There was a couple named Ananias and Sapphira, and they really didn't get the vision. In fact, they lied about what they were doing. They actually wanted to promote themselves, pretend as though they were giving everything that had been given to them for some land that they had sold. If they had been honest, it would have been fine. They could have kept some of it for themselves, but they were dishonest.

They lied. The Bible says that liars will not inherit the kingdom of God. All liars must repent of their lying. They must change. They must be willing to admit that they're liars. And that's a problem that, frankly, a lot of teenagers have, a lot of adults have. It's something that we should all repent of. Liars will not be in God's kingdom.

Ananias and Sapphira were struck down for an example, for an example for each and every one of us, that we need to tell the truth. Because if you don't tell the truth, you can't be trusted. And if you can't be trusted, what good are you? What are you worth? If you can't be trusted, what's the point of getting up in the morning? Tell the truth. In verse 12, chapter 5, verse 12 of chapter 5, And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. Signs and wonders, miracles, were continuing to happen, and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch, yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

Again, there were certain ones who did not have faith, they lacked faith. They weren't all in. We all need to be all in, every one of us. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches that at least the shadow, just the shadow of Peter passing by, might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

All of them were healed. This was a unique time, special in the history of the Church of God. They were all healed. God was cementing His Church, so that you and I can read about these things and believe in them, even though we may not see the same signs and wonders.

These signs and wonders are here for our reading, for our admonition. We don't have to see these signs today to believe. Many have come before us, who have testified to these things. And we have the Holy Spirit in common. We can believe that they were not liars. This is the truth that we're reading today. Many signs and wonders, they were all healed. Notice chapter 5 verse 32.

We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. Yes, obedience is required. You need to keep God's commandments. You need to keep His laws, not just in the letter, but also in the Spirit. Strive to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. That is our high and holy calling. To become perfect, to become holy, even as I am holy, God says. That's right. None of us have popped fully yet, have we? Okay, that's coming. We're going to pop.

If we believe, if we have faith, if we yield to God's Holy Spirit, if we don't quench it, I appreciate the sermon at. Good job. So God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him, and also the Apostle said, we must obey God rather than men.

We've been tested in the past. God's Church has. Will you obey God, or will you follow men? You're going to be tested again. No doubt. Will you obey God, or do you have your special ministers that would never lead you astray? Beware. Follow men as they follow Christ, and only as they follow Christ. And if they're breaking biblical principles, do not follow them. Chapter 6. Here we see a team effort. We see a cooperation between the Apostles and the disciples, members of the Church of God developing, a closeness, a working together to spread out the workload, and to do the will of God and to preach the Word of God.

What were the criteria for selecting men to serve the widows in chapter 6? They were to be what type of man? Men full of the Holy Spirit, full of the power of God. Those are the men that we need to appoint as leaders among us, those who have proven themselves.

By their fruits, you will know. Men full of the Spirit and power. What did Peter say the Apostles ought not to spend their time doing? They weren't to spend their time waiting on tables. Everyone has its own function within the Church of God. Ephesians chapter 4 talks about that. We're all called for a different purpose, a different reason. And we should be willing to accept whatever that is, and humbly accept that.

And if ever we're given more responsibility, then we should thank God and give Him the credit. Because nothing good happens unless it's from God. God works in us to do good works. And only those who humble themselves and yield to God will truly have the Spirit working in them. So by their fruits, you will know. The fruits of God's Holy Spirit is what we should look for. So they didn't need to spend their time waiting on tables.

There were others. I've waited on tables before. I don't mind waiting on tables, and I have even picked up a vacuum not too long ago. It's not that ministers can't pitch in and set up chairs from time to time. But our time should be spent primarily in prayer and fasting, and in serving God's people, and counseling, and helping others, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.

So there's a proper unity that we should all have that is given in the Bible. And we should all be supportive of that. We shouldn't be threatened by that at all. It's usually envy and jealousy that gets in the way, and that's what was happening with these religious leaders that weren't being called of God. They were envious. They were jealous, and time after time it manifests itself. It's ugly head as they persecute God's people because of envy and jealousy.

So the congregation selected seven men, and the apostles laid hands upon them and ordained them for service to God's church. Now, no doubt the apostles would have had veto power if good choices hadn't been made, but the congregation knows oftentimes who serves best. They see the person who serves the widows, the fatherless, who does it quietly, who does it humbly. And we as elders should seek input from our members that we might make good choices of those who would be ordained to serve in other ways.

How would you describe Stephen's impact? He was one of those who was to help serve the widows, but quickly he had other responsibilities given to him. He was a man full of faith. He was a man full of power and the Holy Spirit. Notice verse 8 of chapter 6, And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. God was working mightily through Stephen. In response to Stephen's effectiveness, what happened? Opposition arose quickly, again because of jealousy by the chief priests and elders who stirred up the people against him. Lies were told, false witness was given, and Stephen was stoned to death. He became the first martyr, the first Christian martyr.

Before that, however, Stephen mentioned someone else in his defense. He said there was someone else who did signs and wonders. It was Moses. Moses who had done signs and wonders. You know the story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. He reminded them that Moses said God would raise up a prophet who is like Moses and who would also do great signs and great wonders. But of course, many of the people rejected Moses. They rejected his words and they desired to go back to Egypt.

So God allowed them to worship the golden calf in ancient times. God allowed them to worship the host of heaven, to worship Satan and his demons. And God allows the same thing today. So we do have to be circumspect. We have to be careful who we follow, who we choose to follow. Now notice verse 51 of chapter 7. Verse 51. In his defense, Stephen says, "...you stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears." So he was pretty bold, wasn't he?

"...you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you." Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? You can read the Old Testament. You'll see that they were all persecuted.

"...and they killed those who foretold the coming of the just one, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels, but have not kept it." They also were not law-abiding. They made an outward show of being obedient.

But they really weren't obedient. It wasn't in their heart, and God looks on the heart. We must obey from the heart. God's law must be written in our hearts and in our minds, and it was not written in their hearts and in their minds, and so they stoned Stephen to death. Now upon Stephen's death, a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and the disciples and the members were scattered. They were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, but the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.

They stayed together in Jerusalem. Others were scattered out. And you remember a man named Saul? Saul made havoc of the church, dragging off men and women to prison. Now Philip preached Christ to people in Samaria. He preached Christ to people in Samaria, and also did healings, and the multitudes believed, and he did his words.

And there was great joy in Samaria, it says, because of Philip and his faithful teaching. But notice verse 9 of chapter 8. Verse 9, there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed from the least of the greatest. So this was a very prideful man, who claimed to be great, and the people bolstered that by calling him great. They said, this man is the great power of God. Well, he was not the great power of the true God.

He may have had power from Satan the Devil, no doubt he did. Satan is the God of this world. And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. Of course, God condemned sorcery. But when they believed Philip, as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Then Simon himself also believed, and when he was baptized... Now, did Simon truly believe? He believed to a point. He believed the signs and wonders. He could not deny them. He saw them with his own eyes. But his heart was not pure. He was not converted. His fruits proved that out. He was not a true believer. In fact, he offered money for the gift of giving the Holy Spirit to others. In fact, it's called simony after him. He wanted to be chief. He was not humbled by this great power that he was witnessing, that he was seeing.

But he wanted it for himself that he might be glorified. What kind of person are you? Do you seek the praise of men? Or do you seek God's praise? That's the way we all need to be. So Peter and John preached in many villages of Samaria. At that time, on their way back to Jerusalem, people were being called. God was giving them his word. Some were accepting it, others weren't. In chapter 8, the last part of it, Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch, a proselyte, who already believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In fact, he was reading the book of Isaiah. He must have been rather wealthy to have a copy of Isaiah. He is baptized by Philip, but likely didn't receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at that moment because there's no witness of a laying on of hands. Philip was not ordained to do that at that time. So that didn't happen. But he goes back to Ethiopia, and I'm sure he shares it to some point, and perhaps he was converted in time.

We don't know this story about the Ethiopian eunuch and how it all turns out. But certainly he was being given God's truth. Now, in chapter 9, we see that Saul was really intense and very, very committed to destroying those who believed. Those who believed in Jesus Christ, those who supported Christ, and the way. It was called the way because it is the only way. It's the way that we all need to go. It says in verse 1 that he was breathing threats and murders. Notice that. Chapter 9, verse 1, Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.

He was a very zealous man, a rabbi, very zealous. And he went to the high priest, and he wanted permission to drag people out of their homes, true Christians, believers, to drag them out, to have them imprisoned, and ultimately killed. He felt completely justified in killing Jesus. Yes, he felt justified in the fact that Jesus was crucified and killed.

He felt justified in killing those who were following Christ, who were believing in what he considered a false prophet. He was thinking he was doing God a great service. The Bible says that there will come a time when others will approach members of the true faith in the same manner. They will try to kill us, believing they're doing God a great service. We live in a special time right now, a time of peace, a time of prosperity.

It's not always going to be this way. Now's the time to prepare for hard times, difficult times. Will you have the faith to be faithful in the hard times? So what happens to Saul? What happens? Well, a great light from heaven gets his attention. The power of God gets his attention. Verse 4, he fell to the ground and he heard a voice, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? The voice of Christ. Who are you, Lord? The Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Jesus spoke up. He spoke out. Thankfully, Saul listened. He wasn't yet called Paul. He listened. Of course, he was blinded. That might have made a difference. Couldn't see. There was a light from heaven, a voice from heaven, miraculous signs and wonders taking place before his very eyes.

It says, the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no one. And for three days he was without sight, groping, blind, helpless, and he neither ate nor drank. He fasted fully for three days. No food, no water. Again, he was a very zealous man, and God was calling him to be a chosen vessel. Now, Ananias had heard about Saul of Tarsus.

Remember that, kids. Ananias. You may hear that in Bible Jeopardy. He had heard about how much harm Saul had done to your saints. He's speaking to God here. To your saints in Jerusalem, because God was calling Ananias to go to Saul. God tells Ananias that Saul is a chosen vessel, to go to the Gentiles, to go to kings, and to the children of Israel.

Ananias lays hands on Saul, and he is healed by the power of the Holy Spirit. He's no longer blind. Now he sees. Once he was spiritually blind, then he was physically blind. Now he sees spiritually and physically. God restores him whole. In verse 22, chapter 9, and it says immediately in verse 20, he preached the Christ in the synagogues that he is the Son of God. This was a miraculous turnaround in a figurative way. He popped, not fully yet. He wasn't yet spirit. But figuratively, he popped. He made a decision. He accepted Christ as a Savior. He knew that he owed his life to Jesus Christ and to the Father.

And he was all in. He was all in. So, it says in verse 21, "...all who heard were amazed, and said, Is this not he who destroyed those who call on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelled in Damascus, proving that Jesus is the Christ." Do you teenagers wonder if Jesus is the Christ? Why do you wonder? What is it going to take? You have the very words of God.

You have the example of your parents. Change lives. You're blessed because your parents have decided they would follow God and follow Christ. You are a recipient. I hope you see that. I hope you appreciate it. I hope you thank them for their faithfulness. Because you are greatly blessed because of your believing parents. And you have an opportunity to be called now. A precious, precious calling that you should never take for granted. Don't fight against it. Accept it. Don't resist. God's Spirit works with you now. The Holy Spirit works with you now. You have access to God's Holy Spirit. You just need to call. You just need to answer the call.

That's what you need to do. Answer the call. God is calling you. You need to answer. But don't do it half-heartedly. The sooner you do it, the better. I've seen too many people drift away. Too many teenagers drift away and not stay faithful. I was a teenager in God's church, just barely. I was called at age 18.

I was not in the church until then. I didn't start keeping the Sabbath until I was 18. So I didn't grow up in the church. But God surely called me and revealed Himself to me. And thankfully, because of God and His Spirit, I'm still faithful.

And we all need to be faithful examples, one for another. We need to have that bond of His Spirit that's powerful in each and every one of us. And then perhaps God will begin to pour more power down upon His people. The more He sees us yield to Him and to pull together and to be united as our name, we're the United Church of God. We should be united.

I don't think we have that name, except God wonders to have that name. We prayed about it, fasted. That is our name. We need to live up to our name.

So, Peter is now preaching boldly. The Church of God throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now have peace, and they begin to prosper. There's a law in the persecution for a while. They are multiplied...verse 31... They are multiplied as they walk in the fear of God and the comfort of His Holy Spirit. There is great peace and comfort in God's Holy Spirit. I hope we all sense that strength, that power, that comfort. God's Spirit is not the spirit of fear. It's the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind, a unified, harmonious mind. So, Peter travels now to all parts of the country. We find that beginning in verse 32. He travels to all parts of the country and performs miracles and healings wherever he goes. So now you've got Paul and you've got Peter. And both are performing signs and wonders and miracles wherever they go. And preaching powerfully the gospel of the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ as Savior. Aeneas, another name you might hear in Bible Jeopardy, Aeneas was a paralytic. He was paralyzed. He was bedridden. For how long? Eight years. Eight years, now he is healed. All who lived in Liddah and Sharon saw Peter and they all turned to God. That's what the Scripture says. It must have been a small town. But if it means literally what it says, they all turned to God.

The disciples in Joppa send for Peter at this time. And remember Dorcas? What's another name for Dorcas? Tabitha, right? She is raised to life again. She dies. Peter's called in and she's raised to life again.

Now he goes and lives with Simon a tanner. That was his profession. He was a tanner. He tanned hides for a living. Peter's living with him. And then in chapter 10, through a vision involving unclean animals, Peter learns that God's people are not to consider the Gentiles as common or unclean. It was an object lesson. Peter knew that God was not saying it was okay to eat unclean foods, unclean animals. He had never done so. And he knew that wasn't it. But many people looked down on the Gentiles. That God was opening the way to the Gentiles now. He was opening the way to all people who would repent and accept Christ. He was opening the way to everyone whom he would call. God shows no partiality, is what Paul came to realize. But in every nation, whoever fears him and works righteousness is accepted by him. In fact, I think we should read a little bit here. Verse 34, chapter 10. Then Peter opened his mouth and said, In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. We should show no partiality. We should be like God in this way. But in every nation, whoever fears him and works righteousness, anyone who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel preaching peace through Jesus Christ, He is Lord of all. And the word you know which was proclaimed throughout all of Judea and began from Galilee after the baptism which John the Baptist preached. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit. That's right. Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit. And with power who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. All who were in bondage to Satan the devil, for God was with his Son. And we are all witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree, a stake. Him God raised up on the third day and showed him openly. Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with him after he arose from the dead. That's right. He appeared for 40 days. Remember that? And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that it is he who is ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets witness that through his name, whoever believes in him will receive the remission of sins. Sins will be forgiven through Christ our Savior, through his wonderful sacrifice, through his shed blood. Our sins will be forgiven. Your sins may be forgiven, no matter what you've done. Sometimes people worry that they've sinned too much. You haven't sinned too much. You may have sinned too much. I've sinned too much. But not too much for God to forgive. God is very merciful. God is gracious. God loves you. God will forgive you. You have to have faith in his sacrifice. You have to have faith in Christ. That he'll forgive you anything you've done. If you go boldly before him and ask. Boldly and humbly. Asking for forgiveness and believing that he will grant it. And then going on as Christ told the woman at the well, go and sin no more. Give it your best shot. Try to sin no more. We all sin. We all fall short. That's our human frailty. But we're all in this together, and we can all strive to obey God. And God is the one who grants repentance. It's a gift from him. He grants us repentance. He grants us faith. Also a gift. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. You have to have faith in Christ. You have to believe in Him. He's your Savior. Do you believe in Him?

Powerful things are happening in the early church because people do believe in Christ. They do have faith in Him. They do trust Him. So much so that they're willing to die. Are you willing to die? Are you developing that kind of faith? Young people, are you developing that faith? Are you moving in the right direction? Are you getting there? And adults, have we already developed that faith? That trust?

The converted members of the God's church began to accept the Gentiles. Remember Cornelius, a name you'll surely hear in Bible Jeopardy? Cornelius was a Roman centurion whose prayers and generous giving, his alms, were considered a testimony and a memorial to God Himself. God heard his prayers. God saw his giving, his heart, his good character.

God called Cornelius, and he and his whole household were baptized. The Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles, ensuring their call to salvation. Gentiles could now be saved. Converted members of God's church accepted these Gentiles into the church of God, while others opposed them vigorously and persecuted the true church of God as a result.

So now we come to chapter 11. Saul and Barnabas stay in Antioch of Syria for a full year. They're there for a whole year because people were receptive. They were listening. God's people are first called Christians in Antioch. You might hear that, too. They were here because of their belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their Savior. First called Christians in Antioch. Chapter 12. During the Days of Unleavened Bread, yes, the Days of Unleavened Bread were still being kept by God's church, as well as by the Jews. Christ kept the Days of Unleavened Bread. Paul and Peter and the disciples, they all kept the Days of Unleavened Bread. They kept the Passover. They kept all of God's annual Holy Days. They were not done away. They should be kept today. It was during the Days of Unleavened Bread that King Herod had James, one of the original twelve disciples, not Jesus' brother, but one of the original twelve, the son of Zebedee and John's brother, he had him killed at that time. Now this pleased the Jews, and I think this was somewhere around 45 AD, roughly. Close to 15 years after Jesus had died and was resurrected, this pleased the Jews, and so Herod sought to have Peter killed and imprisoned as well. And so Peter is in prison. And while he's there, what is the church doing? Constant prayer is being made for Peter. Everyone was unified, praying for Peter. God's angel shows up at the prison and rescues Peter from prison. Remember that? The chains fell off. The gates seemingly opened on their own accord. It was an angel that opened those gates. Members, disciples, were gathered at John Mark's mother's home. They were there having basically an opportunity to pray together, to fellowship together, to call upon God together. And they were doing that when Peter shows up at the door. Do you remember who came to the door? The girl, Rhoda. Rhoda, you're going to hear that. So Rhoda answers, and what does she do? Does she let him in? She leaves him at the door. She goes back and says, hey, guess what? Peter's here! Now, they had been praying for Peter. And they said, no way. See, they lacked faith, too. They weren't perfect. They had faith, but they weren't perfect. They said it must be an angel. It must be Peter's angels. He's in prison. Weren't you just praying that he would be let out of prison? Yeah! He's at the door. He keeps knocking. Finally, they let him in. There's a lesson in that for all of us.

King Herod has prison guards killed because of their ineptness. They couldn't help it. God was on the other side. So they were killed. That's the kind of guy Herod was. And what happens to Herod? Anyone remember? How does he die? Eating by worms! That's a rough way to go, I would think. I wouldn't want to go that way.

The people were praising him, and he was taking their praise. He was eating it up. The voice of a God, and not of a man. That's what they were saying. He should have denounced that. He'd still be alive. Not today, but he would have lived for a while. He was struck down by worms and died. Now, chapter 13. After fasting and prayer, certain prophets and teachers in Antioch laid hands on Barnabas and Saul. And they sent them away to preach the gospel to others, a greater ordination for them, more of God's spirit, to help them do the work that they were called to do. And they're out and about, and they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew.

His name was Barjesus, or translated, Elimus.

And Saul strongly confronts him, speaks very boldly against this elimus, this sorcerer. And what happens? Elimus is on the wrong side of things, and he's blinded.

There was a pro-counsel. Do you remember his name? Guys? Sergius Paulus, right? You all remember that, right? Adults? All of you adults know Sergius Paulus. So Sergius Paulus believes, when he sees what's happening here, how could he deny it? God was also calling him.

So, chapter 13 is an interesting chapter. Paul preaches to the Jews an Antioch of Pisidia on the Sabbath. He's going to the Jews first, going to the synagogues, preaching on the Sabbath. Sabbath was not done away. God's people were still observing the Sabbath day. And notice this. Gentiles want to hear the next Sabbath. They don't want to hear on Sunday. God doesn't change the day to Sunday. They want to hear the next Sabbath. Can we come? Can we come in here? Sure. Come on out. Well, the whole city comes out. That's the power of God working in this community.

Almost the whole city comes to hear Paul preach. The church is growing, but of course there's still persecution.

The disciples are filled with joy. They're filled with the Holy Spirit. They're filled with power, but always persecution.

Notice chapter 14. Now in Iconium, where a great multitude of Jews and Gentiles believe, Jews and Gentiles, but the unbelieving Jews stir up the Gentiles. The chief opposition was coming from unbelieving Jews, who were envious of Christ and envious of God's way. And they poisoned their minds against the people of God, the brethren, who were...some of them were starting to believe, but they allow their minds to be poisoned. And in spite of this persecution, Paul and Barnabas stay there a long time preaching boldly Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. Many signs and wonders are being done in Jesus' name here in Iconium. Now they had to eventually flee to Lystra and Derby when they heard of a plan to stone them to death. They were always out to kill them, but they kept on preaching. They didn't allow that to stop them. They continued to preach boldly. Chapter 14, verse 8, a crippled man from his mother's womb, a tiny infant, crippled, coming out of the womb, is healed, is restored whole. The people try to worship Paul and Barnabas, but they refuse giving God all the glory. They thought...the people thought that the gods had come down. They were so steeped...these Gentiles were so steeped in their paganism, they thought that the gods had come down in the likeness of men. They thought Barnabas was who? Zeus. That's right. And Paul was Hermes, or Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.

In chapter 14, verses 19 and 20, we see Jews from Antioch and Iconium come to Lystra and they convinced the crowd. Now these were people who followed...they followed Paul because they were out to get him. Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra. Paul had been teaching there before. They did not like it, so they come after him. They come to Lystra and they convinced the crowd against Paul, and they stone him. This time, they actually stone him. God did not keep this from happening. He was stoned. It hurt, no doubt. In fact, he may have actually died. They thought he was dead. They left him for dead. But, miraculously, the disciples gathered around him sometime after they left him, he miraculously got up and walked away, obviously healed. Healed either from death or from a tremendous beating and stoning.

Now, in chapter 14, verses 27 and 28, let's read that together. Now, when they had come and gathered the church together, that's what they were always doing. They were always congregating. They were always getting the church together. That's what it was all about. A community of believers. They gathered them together. They reported all that God had done with them. They gave God the credit because it was God's power. It was the power of the Holy Spirit. It wasn't any man. It was God's Spirit working in men who humbled themselves and yielded themselves to God. They reported all that God had done with them and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. So they stayed there a long time with the disciples, and God blessed them. And the church was growing and multiplying, and we've run out of time. Just as I figured we would. We covered exactly 14 chapters, half, of the book of Acts. Hopefully your questions will come from the first half.

So, brethren, what did I tell you? What did I tell you in the beginning? The book of Acts is truly a fascinating, amazing book of the Bible. An inspiring book. Clearly we see these three facts emphasized repeatedly in the book of Acts. Think about it. Think about it. Number one, the signs and the wonders, the miracles that are listed in the book of Acts that we've gone through in the first 14 chapters, and there are many more in the last 14. These were truly miracles, and people saw these things happening. They were eye-witnesses. They were so much so that they were willing to die. Would you die for something you didn't believe in? Would you die for something that you didn't truly believe in? They were eye-witnesses. You know, God expects, in some ways, even more of us, because we're not eye-witnesses. We have to have faith that this word is true, that the Bible is true. We have to believe in God and trust in Him. This is a wonderful calling that we all have to share. God called you because He believed in you. He believed that you would, or that you could, at least, follow these words. Accept them. Believe them. Embrace them. You wouldn't need physical signs and wonders because those already came.

You believe because God's working in you through the power of His Spirit, or He's working with you through the power of His Spirit. Number two, the disciples, again the apostles and all the true brethren, had a tremendous willingness to preach boldly Jesus Christ as Savior and the coming Kingdom of God, even though they were being persecuted. Some were being stoned. Some were being imprisoned. Some were being killed. But it speaks so strongly of their belief and their faith, and that should mean something to you and me. These, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We do have a kinship with the people of the book of Acts, of the early church. And thirdly, the love, the closeness, and the fellowship of the early church stands as an example for all of us to emulate. For all of us to emulate today, to bind together as God's people through the power of His Spirit. Let us be like the early church. In fact, let us in some ways be stronger than the early church. Let's place our faith, our confidence, our trust in God, and let the Bible Jeopardy games begin.