This past week was the start of the third study in the book of Acts and titled, Power of the Word. In this study, we’ll focus on the third, and final, missionary journey and Paul’s trip to Rome. We’ll look at the way in which the Holy Spirit works powerfully through the apostles to further the Gospel.

The week of study brought the following thoughts:

• Apollos, while new on the scene, boldly shared the Gospel truths he knew. My commentary states this about him: “A dynamic communicator, Apollos was popular with some of the Christians in Corinth because of his intellectual style and his powerful speaking abilities.” People were often more drawn to him over Paul, whose style was simpler and sometimes unimpressive. There was room for both of these men to boldly proclaim the message God had called them to share. Yet nowhere did Paul ever criticize Apollos. He called him a fellow servant and was grateful for him. Both men were effective and greatly used to spread the message of Christ. Comparison can do great damage. We cannot compare ourselves one to another for God has called us each to uniquely fit into His plan.
• Paul explained salvation and the Holy Spirit succinctly. It is important for all of us not only to understand what we believe, but be able to explain what we believe in a way others will be able to understand. It brought to mind 1 Peter 3:15 – “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (NLT).
• Our effectiveness comes from our relationship with Jesus. In Acts 19: 11-20, we find a most interesting story for sure. Here we find Paul doing amazing and unusual miracles. Along come a group of men who attempt to mimic the works Paul had done by the power of the Holy Spirit, but they are resisted by the spirit. They had tried to use the name of Jesus as though it were magical. They had completely overlooked that Paul’s power came from his relationship with Jesus and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Their failure only emphasized all Paul had been able to do, and so, the message of the Gospel spread even more and had a powerful effect. May we never fail to recognize any effectiveness we have in sharing the Gospel stems from our relationship with Jesus alone. Only as we depend on the Holy Spirit will be effective, bear fruit, and bring Him glory.
• The Gospel can often pose a threat. In Acts 19: 21-32, we find the idol craftsmen all in uproar as Paul preached the Gospel. The Gospel was shaking up their business. Today the Gospel will threaten to shake up our beliefs. We can often find ourselves in positions which go against the societal “norm”. May we stand strong and through God’s grace and power, head in the right direction – the one He sets us on.
• We must draw on wisdom from God as we weigh a matter. In Acts 19: 33-41, we find the crowd getting angrier and in a sense, “demonstrating”. They wanted Paul’s preaching to be stopped because it was hurting their business. As people came to hear the Gospel, they were no longer purchasing the idols the artisans were making. Interesting enough, the mayor steps in and addresses the crowd. He reasons with them, logically laying out for them why Paul and the others had done nothing wrong. We must be careful not to think with the crowd without taking time to think a matter through logically. We can be easily convinced by a crowd. Emotions can run high and strong. Let’s be the voice of reason, drawing on wisdom from God as we weigh a matter. We can be agents of peace where there is discord.

There is much to be learned and applied to our lives from the early Church.

Today I am joining … Inspire Me Monday .