Post by foxjj on Oct 28, 2022 7:13:01 GMT
The Early Church
On a visit to the Temple in Jerusalem shortly after Pentecost, Peter and John saw a man who had been born lame begging at one of the gates. When Peter and John stopped, the man expected to receive a gift of money. What followed is described in Acts 3:6-8: “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”
You can imagine how this miracle had people gather around desiring to know what had happened. “When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:12-16 (NIV)
This was a powerful beginning of their ministry to the people of Jerusalem, after this the new Church grew to 5,000 people. Initially the common people listened, and responded to the message of Jesus as their Messiah. This in turn was seen as a challenge by the Jewish leadership. Soon a persecution would begin and believers would be cast into prison, where many would die for their faith in Jesus. Paul of Tarsus became a persecutor of the new Church until his Damascus road experience. Through the power of the Holy Spirit Paul used his Roman citizenship to spread the message throughout the Roman Empire. Both Peter and Paul gave their lives for the Gospel while John was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos.
Despite the initial persecution by the Jewish leadership, followed by the Roman persecution, the Church grew. Throughout history both persecution and corruption of one source or another, became associated with the Church. Notwithstanding, The Gospel has continued to challenge sinners of their need for Salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, loyal believers continue to spread The Good News of God’s Love shown in Jesus Christ, been ever mindful of His final instructions and promise: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Today let us give thanks for God’s guidance of His True Church.
John Joseph Fox.
On a visit to the Temple in Jerusalem shortly after Pentecost, Peter and John saw a man who had been born lame begging at one of the gates. When Peter and John stopped, the man expected to receive a gift of money. What followed is described in Acts 3:6-8: “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”
You can imagine how this miracle had people gather around desiring to know what had happened. “When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:12-16 (NIV)
This was a powerful beginning of their ministry to the people of Jerusalem, after this the new Church grew to 5,000 people. Initially the common people listened, and responded to the message of Jesus as their Messiah. This in turn was seen as a challenge by the Jewish leadership. Soon a persecution would begin and believers would be cast into prison, where many would die for their faith in Jesus. Paul of Tarsus became a persecutor of the new Church until his Damascus road experience. Through the power of the Holy Spirit Paul used his Roman citizenship to spread the message throughout the Roman Empire. Both Peter and Paul gave their lives for the Gospel while John was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos.
Despite the initial persecution by the Jewish leadership, followed by the Roman persecution, the Church grew. Throughout history both persecution and corruption of one source or another, became associated with the Church. Notwithstanding, The Gospel has continued to challenge sinners of their need for Salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, loyal believers continue to spread The Good News of God’s Love shown in Jesus Christ, been ever mindful of His final instructions and promise: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Today let us give thanks for God’s guidance of His True Church.
John Joseph Fox.