Snapshots From Acts Number 9: The Universal Church

Snapshots from Acts: Number 9, The Universal Church.

If we recognize that the Gospel according to Luke and the book of Acts make up twin volumes written by the same writer, then it is interesting to note how Luke traces the growth of the new movement, the church of Christ (also called "the Way"), from a Jewish movement to an universal one.

In the Gospel, Luke records the words of the risen Lord; "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46,47 - RSV translation)

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus is recorded as saying; "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) Mark records; "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). As Luke begins the Book of Acts, he quotes Jesus as telling his Apostles "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth". (1:8)

In the mind of Christ it is then quite clear that the message of salvation is for everyone. A universal church was planned and produced. To the early Jewish converts and even the chosen twelve Apostles this was not so clear. In the early years the good news was only preached to the Jews and in the book of Acts Luke records how the progression from a Jewish sect to a universal church took place.

When the Holy Spirit appeared in power on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, the disciples spoke in "other languages as the Spirit enabled them" ( 2:4). Peter explains this as a fulfilment of Joel's prophecy that "In the last days, God says I will pour out my spirit on all people"( 2:16,17). And so in reaction to Peter's sermon, many of the Jews present in Jerusalem for the Pentecost celebration, repented and were baptized for the forgiveness of sin and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Note that Peter was addressing the "men of Israel". (2:22)

And so the Church of Christ was established with the Lord adding to their number on a daily basis those who were being baptized. (2:41,47) As the message went out into the Jewish world, opposition came from the Jewish leaders. When the Apostles were commanded by the powerful Sanhedrin to stop this preaching, Peter and John declared: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."(4:19,20)

In Acts 8:1ff, Luke records how persecution in Jerusalem scattered the early Christians into Samaria and as they took the message with them this resulted in many believing in Jesus and being baptized, both "men and women". (8:12) John and Peter are sent down to Samaria and many receive the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by the Apostles, something Phillip could obviously not do. The prediction of Jesus that the Gospel will be preached first in Jerusalem and then in Samaria, and finally to the rest of the world was being fulfilled. (Acts 1:8)

As Luke's account continues, it is again the Holy Spirit that intervenes directly in appearing first to Cornelius (10:3-8)and then to Peter, also in visions. (10:9-23) The message to Peter it clear; the church is for all people, not only the Jews. So the Holy Spirit comes on all who heard the message, and again manifests itself in giving those present the ability to speak in tongues (languages), (10:45-48). This has been referred to as the 'Gentile Pentecost'.

At this stage, while some were still only telling the Good News to Jews, (11:19) others began also speaking to the Greeks, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. (11:22) Paul and Barnabas began, together with others, to actively take the message to all the world as Jesus had clearly intended and instructed. (Luke 24:46,47; Acts 1:8) This news was not received well by all and some taught that to become a Christian you first needed to become a Jew. (15:1) This problem was taken to the Church leaders in Jerusalem who, at that stage, were still in a state of confusion on the issue. Peter then explains to them what had happened to him in Caesarea with Cornelius. And so the Church enters a new phase of universality (15:6-11). The new message is sent out to Antioch.(15:30-35) What Jesus had instructed before his ascension, had now come true. At this time the early Church was still plagued by the so called "Judaising Teachers", with Paul especially being a target of their narrow vision and active violent opposition. Paul deals with this problem extensively in his letter to the Galatians.

The Church of Christ is universal. It is created by the preaching of the Good News and as people respond to the message, they are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sin and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) God then adds them to the church. (Acts 2:42,47) Some have tried to hijack the Church by changing its doctrine and name. The Church of Christ does not belong to Jerusalem or Rome, or any other group. It belongs to Christ and the message needs to be preached today in its truth and simplicity to produce "just Christians" today.

Bible quotations.

NIV Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973,1978,1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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