The resurrection of Jesus is the key to the ongoing ministry of His church. Only our living Savior can fully equip us to effectively serve Him to the glory of God.

We are called to take the gospel to a world that is ignorant of the truth and often hostile to it. It can seem like a daunting task, but like the apostles, we should approach it prayerfully and with the assurance the indwelling Holy Spirit will provide all the power we need.

The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost assures us that the indwelling, empowering presence of the Spirit is the possession of every believer in Jesus Christ today. And if we truly embrace this grand truth, it will affect our words, thoughts, actions, and attitudes.

The true measure of a church is its commitments. God’s favor rests on a church that is committed to proclaiming Christ’s substitutionary death and bodily resurrection, teaching biblical doctrine, worshiping God in holiness, and pursuing fellowship and love among the members.

Miracles had a unique role in the apostles’ ministry, but the apostles were quick to use those miracles to point people to the one whose power produced them. We are not called to do miracles, but we should use every opportunity we are given to direct people to Jesus.

The good works of God’s people may well be attacked by those who have very different values. Peter and John—convinced of the truth, unwavering in their message, and walking in submission to and dependence on the Holy Spirit—demonstrate the proper response to such attacks.

A Christ-honoring church will have godly leadership, loving fellowship, and a commitment to gospel preaching. But these qualities do not exempt the church from conflict, whether external or internal. Rather, they help prepare a church for conflict that is sure to come.

Jesus calls us all to proclaim the gospel to our world. Obedience to that call will bring opposition; but as we persist in proclaiming Christ, we find it is not only our duty but also our joy. The apostles offer testimony to that principle.

Acts 6 reminds us that every church must deal with internal problems—even problems of prejudice. It also demonstrates that when we address problems as opportunities for ministry, follow biblical principles, and maintain ministry priorities, the gospel is served, not hindered.

The price of faithfulness can seem great, but the reward is immeasurable. We remember Stephen as the church’s first martyr. We should remember him, too, as a bold example of unflinching faith and character.

Opposition, whether outward persecution or spiritual resistance, is an opportunity God gives us to proclaim the gospel more widely and more boldly. The experience of the early church gives us unique insight into God’s providential workings. 

Even in our hectic, unpredictable world, it is possible to be a humble, flexible, and available witness for Jesus Christ. A man from the first century, Philip, provides a wonderful example to follow for being just that kind of witness.

The gospel of Jesus Christ turns His enemies into His servants. This is true for all who are saved, but it is most powerfully illustrated by the conversion of Saul. In an instant, the proud persecutor of the church became the humble, submissive follower of Jesus.

The example of Ananias shows us what an impact we can have when we simply live by faith and willingly forgive and accept others. He appears only briefly in Scripture, but his life offers some important lessons for each of us. 

Serving the Lord is not the easiest path in life, as Saul soon discovers. This is why we all need the support and encouragement of a “Barnabas.” And it is why we all need to be a “Barnabas.”

God uses different individuals and situations to reach people with the gospel. The means, however, always remains the same—it is God working through His humble and faithful servants to witness to others, sharing the biblical message of salvation in Christ.

Change is seldom comfortable, but it is often necessary. It is certainly necessary if our attitudes and actions are not in accord with God’s Word. As Peter learned, personal changes can have a far-reaching impact on people’s lives and God’s work.

Peter’s willingness to listen to the Lord, change his thinking accordingly, and act in obedience assured that the church would not be limited to a single ethnic group but encompass all who will trust and follow Jesus Christ. The gospel is for everyone.

Perhaps the most vibrant church we find in the book of Acts is the church in Antioch. What made it an exemplary church? From its very founding, we see a church that is growing within through biblical teaching and reaching out in love and compassion.

Both Peter in his long ministry and James in his shorter ministry and less prominent role fulfilled God’s purposes for them. God has different paths for each of us in our service for Him. But to serve Him is to engage in a divine work that ultimately cannot be defeated.

Where there is consistent obedience to the Lord and proclaiming His gospel, there is always opposition. And behind all opposition to the gospel is Satan. We need the wisdom of God’s Word to recognize his attacks and the boldness of God’s Spirit to respond properly.

There can be no substitute for the forthright, faithful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s sermon in Acts 13 is the standard for what our message to the world should be, and it is centered on the death and resurrection of Christ.

While sharing the gospel with those who desperately need to hear it is God-honoring and rewarding, it can also be dangerous. This is why we need to depend on the Lord and remind ourselves that serving Him is not about our comfort but about His glory.

Disagreements can be very difficult, but they can also clarify issues for us and even open new avenues of service. Acts 15 describes two significant disagreements within the early church—one involves a doctrinal issue and the other a ministry issue.

When we are committed to following the Lord by faith, we will face new challenges but also new opportunities and new people to whom we can minister. And through it all, we will see the grace of God at work. These truths are highlighted in Acts 16.

We should never be intimidated by the arguments or actions of people who oppose the gospel of Christ. Such responses come only from people; the truth we proclaim comes from God. When we faithfully speak His Word, He will use it for His glory.

Effective ministry involves teamwork. Paul is known as the greatest missionary of the early church, but Paul did not work alone. He had the assistance and support of a growing network of fellow workers.

As Christians, our works should be a shining example to others. But it is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that can change lives, destinies, and even cultures.

As Christians, our works should be a shining example to others. But it is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that can change lives, destinies, and even culturesWe cannot be effective servants of God if we do not humbly acknowledge our need for Him, guard our relationship with Him, and become careful students of His Word. Paul’s example is a model and inspiration to us.

Commitment is measured by perseverance. One who is truly committed to the Lord will persevere in faithfully following the Lord through much discouragement, opposition, and discomfort. The apostle Paul’s example challenges us to greater commitment.

Our focus should not be on the difficulty of our circumstances, our vindication, or even the conversion of others to Christ. We should be centered on being faithful followers of Christ and witnesses for Him. God will take care of those other matters.

Acts 23 presents a great lesson from the life of the apostle Paul, and it is this: God never works with perfect people, because they do not exist. He works with those who know, love, and follow Him and accomplishes His purposes in spite of their human failings.

Hardship and persecution often afford us unexpected opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Let us make sure that is our priority, even above the desire for deliverance and relief.

It must have seemed like an endless cycle to the apostle Paul—charges brought, hearings held, decisions delayed. Yet at every step he had opportunities to speak, and he took advantage of each one to boldly proclaim Jesus Christ. There is much we can learn from his example.

We do not ask for storms, or difficult times, to come into our lives—they just come. They are part of life, but more importantly, they are part of God’s plan for our lives. Paul’s experience on the sea gives us some much-needed perspective on life’s storms.

Paul illustrates the biblical perspective that, for the Christian, life is ministry. While he was looking ahead and planning ahead, Paul was quick to use every opportunity, planned or otherwise, to serve God by ministering to others.