SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025
A Comprehensive Study of the Early Church’s Foundation
BIBLICAL FOUNDATION:
- TEXT: Acts 1:1-26
- MEMORY VERSE: “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.” (Acts 1:4, KJV)
MESSAGE: PREPARATION FOR THE SPIRIT DESCENT
The book of Acts is a vital and foundational text for the Christian Church today. It serves as the bridge between the Gospels, which detail the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the Epistles, which provide instructions for Christian living and church organization. Acts gives us a historical account of the early church from the ascension of Christ to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome.
At its core, the book of Acts is a powerful testament to the central role of the Holy Spirit’s power in the Church. As Jesus declared in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This verse is the thesis statement of the entire book, outlining the mission and the method for carrying it out. The book of Acts provides a divine blueprint for how the Church should be united, administered, and organized to fulfill the task of evangelizing the world through preaching, teaching, healing, and caring for others.
The Author and the Audience
The book of Acts, along with the Gospel of Luke, was written by Luke, the physician. This is affirmed by the fact that both books are dedicated to the same individual, “most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). Theophilus was a high-ranking Roman official who had converted to Christianity. Luke wrote to him with the purpose of providing a systematic and certain account of the things he had been instructed in.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, His disciples, in total obedience to His command, went to an upper room in Jerusalem. They gathered there to pray and wait for the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit. However, before that pivotal moment, there was a pressing need to fill a void in their ranks—the ministry left vacant by Judas Iscariot. The disciples, led by Peter, turned to Scripture to find guidance, quoting from the book of Psalms: “Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.” (Acts 1:20). They nominated two men, Barsabas and Matthias, but ultimately, Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas, ensuring that the number of the apostles was restored to twelve, a symbol of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Christ’s Resurrection, Ascension, and His Return
The foundation of our Christian faith is the undeniable truth of Christ’s resurrection. The book of Acts opens with Luke’s affirmation that his former work, the Gospel, was a systematic account of all that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1). This implies that Acts is a continuation of that work, carried out by the apostles under the power of the Holy Spirit.
Question 1: What are the proofs that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Support your answers with Scriptures.
The proofs of Jesus’ resurrection are “infallible” or undeniable (Acts 1:3).
Literal Appearances: Jesus appeared to His disciples at different times and in various places over a period of forty days after His resurrection. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-17), to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-16), to the disciples in the upper room (Luke 24:36-48; John 20:19,20), and to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1,4-14).
Apostolic Witness: The apostles themselves were witnesses of His resurrection. In Acts 13:30-31, Paul says, “But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.”
The Testimony of over 500 Brethren: Paul also states that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6).
The Empty Tomb: Even the chief priests’ claim that the disciples stole Jesus’ body (Matthew 28:11-15) implicitly testifies to the empty tomb. The angel at the grave confirmed that Jesus was no longer there (Mark 16:5,6).
Following His resurrection, Jesus’ conversations with His disciples focused on the “kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). This kingdom is a spiritual one, characterized by “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). It is greater than any earthly kingdom, and to be a part of it, one must be born again.
Question 2: How can a youth be part of Christ’s kingdom now?
To be a part of Christ’s spiritual kingdom, a youth must first repent and believe the gospel. As John the Baptist proclaimed, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2). Our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20,21). Our desire and preparation should be for the heavenly kingdom, not for earthly gains.
Christ’s ascension into heaven was a physical and visible event witnessed by the disciples. It signifies two things: His divine nature and the assurance of His Second Coming. The angels at the ascension confirmed, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). The Second Coming of Christ has two phases: the rapture of the saints and the triumphant, visible return of Christ to the earth.
The Rapture: This is the catching away of all true believers—both the living and the dead in Christ—to meet the Lord in the air. The purposes of the rapture include: to gather the saints for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1-11), to reward them for their labor (2 Corinthians 5:8-10), to change their mortal bodies to immortal ones (1 Corinthians 15:51-58), and to take them out of the world before the Great Tribulation. To be a partaker of this event, one must be saved, live a holy life, and have a supreme love for the Lord and His service.
The Second Coming: This will be a physical and glorious return of Christ to the earth, where every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). He will return to usher in His eternal reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. The end is at hand, and believers must be ready.
Christ’s Command and the Promise of the Holy Spirit
Before His ascension, Jesus gave His disciples a clear command: do not depart from Jerusalem, but “wait for the promise of the Father.” This was a direct order to a group of believers who were about to begin the greatest evangelistic movement in history. They needed power that was not their own.
Question 3: What does it mean to “wait” according to Acts 1:4?
To “wait” in this context meant to hold on in prayer with earnest expectation and unity, to receive the promised power of the Holy Spirit. They waited in one accord, an evidence of their unity and sanctification (John 17:17,20). This period of waiting involved continuous prayer and supplication.
Question 4: What is the purpose of being baptized in the Holy Spirit?
The purpose is clearly stated in Acts 1:8: “ye shall receive power…and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not for a personal, emotional high, but for empowerment to be a witness for Christ. The Holy Spirit directs evangelistic outreaches, confirms the Word with signs, guides believers into all truth, and fills them with boldness, joy, and peace. He is the Comforter, Counselor, and Intercessor. The early church followed the strategy revealed by the Lord: start in Jerusalem, then move to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth. We are called to do the same in our time—starting with our schools and communities.
Christian Readiness for the Power of the Holy Spirit
The disciples’ obedience in returning to Jerusalem and waiting in the upper room (Acts 1:12) is a pattern for all Christians. Obedience to the Lord’s commands precedes divine blessings. To receive the Holy Spirit, we must meet His conditions.
Question 5: What are the conditions for receiving the Holy Spirit?
Based on the disciples’ example in Acts 1:14 and other scriptures, the conditions include:
- Pardon and Forgiveness of Sin: A heart filled with unconfessed sin is not fit for the gift of God.
- Purity of Heart and Life: The Holy Spirit will not dwell in an unclean vessel. We must strive for holiness and sanctification.
- Persistence in Prayer: We must be steadfast and diligent in our prayer life, just as the disciples were.
- Perseverance in Pursuit: We must actively seek this experience, not as an afterthought but as a passionate pursuit.
- Purpose of Heart: We must have a clear understanding that the Holy Spirit is given for a specific purpose—to make us effective witnesses for Christ.
The Holy Spirit is still relevant today, and we must seek Him with the same earnestness as the early disciples.
The Replacement of Judas and a Call to Faithfulness
The disciples’ decision to replace Judas Iscariot highlights the importance of faithfulness. Judas, though he had been with Jesus for a long time, backslid to the point of betraying his Lord. Peter pointed out that Judas’s act of betrayal had been foretold in the Psalms. The disciples’ method of choosing a replacement was also instructive: they chose a man who had been with them “all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us” (Acts 1:21). This shows that the choice was based on a proven record of conversion, continuity, commitment, and constancy.
There is no eternal security for those who abandon the faith and live in persistent sin. The example of Judas serves as a solemn warning that a person can lose their God-given position if they stray back to the world.
The Church today, especially its youth, must learn from these principles. The call is for a deep and abiding faith, marked by obedience, purity, and a passionate pursuit of the Holy Spirit’s power to fulfill the Great Commission.
