Acts #1: Birth of the Body of Christ
In Acts chapter 1, Stephen discusses the significance of Jesus' teachings and actions before His ascension. He emphasizes that Jesus, after being resurrected, spent forty days with His apostles, instructing them about the kingdom of God and commanding them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. This period was crucial for the disciples, as they transitioned from knowing Jesus in the flesh to understanding Him in the Spirit. Stephen highlights the importance of the Gospels, noting that they collectively present a fuller picture of Christ—His kingship, servanthood, humanity, and divinity. He argues that the Book of Acts should not be viewed merely as the actions of the apostles but as the continuation of Jesus' work through His Spirit. The church, as the corporate body of Christ, is essential for His ongoing ministry. Stephen stresses the need for believers to shift from an individualistic approach to a corporate understanding of their faith, emphasizing that Jesus continues to work through His body, the church. The Pentecost marks the birth of the church, where the Holy Spirit empowers believers to continue Jesus' mission on earth.
Outline of Main Points
- Jesus' teachings and actions before His ascension
- Importance of the forty days with the apostles
- Significance of the Gospels in presenting Christ
- Acts as the continuation of Jesus' work through His Spirit
- Need for a corporate understanding of faith
- Birth of the church at Pentecost
- Empowerment of believers to continue Jesus' mission
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
