1.1. Identity of First Christians
The first Christians were a diverse body of believers with “one heart and soul” (Acts 2:1-12, 4:32). They were a community of believers (Acts 2:42-47) who were all witnesses to the resurrection and truth that Jesus was, in fact, God (Acts 2:32, 3:15, 4:2). As God’s true people, were called to accomplish God’s will in the redemption of the nations (Acts 5:30-31, 24:14-16).
1.2. My Identity
As a baptized believer in truth of God’s Word and the death and resurrection of Jesus, I am a member of God’s diverse church. As a witness and servant of the Lord, I am partaking in God’s story, along with a community of believers who come from every tribe, tongue, and nation, to accomplish the redemption …show more content…
Calling of the First Christians
As believers, the first Christians were called to “preach and teach” God’s Word and the gospel with boldness, emphasizing the importance of Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 4:10, 4:29, 5:20, 5:42, 8:4-6, 8:25, 8:35, 13:5, 14:3, 16:31, 22:10). They were to speak the truth of the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria (Acts 1:8), and to the ends of the earth, baptizing new believers in the name of Jesus (Acts 8:38, 16:15, 19:3-4, 22:16).
2.2. My Calling
Just as the first Christians were part of God’s redemptive plan, I am also called to share the gospel by preaching’s God’s Word with boldness. I am greatly humbled to enter into God’s great mission to minister to my community, my neighbors, and the ends of the earth.
3.0. How Am I to do this?
3.1. Fulfillment of this Calling by First Christians
The Book of Acts highlights several ways the first Christians accomplished God’s plan of redemption: through studying God’s Word and using the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 2:16-21, 4:4, 13:17-41, 17:3), through the strength and wisdom given to them by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8, 5:20, 6:8, 13:4), through prayer (Acts 4:23-31, 7:60, 20:36), and through obeying God’s will and commands (Acts 5:30-31,