Application in Acts: Week One

I have embarked on a journey. What kind of journey, you ask? I am on a quest to find truth, and in that truth, life application.
The book of Acts is about the lives and actions of Jesus' apostles after He left. I am convinced that we can find life application by examining the lives of those laid down in Scripture who were so loyal to Jesus and the gospel.
And this is the result: I have committed myself to daily taking a portion of the book of Acts and finding a way to apply it to our everyday lives.
I would like you to join me in this journey, week by week.


Day 1: Jesus prepares His followers to be witnesses for Him by giving them the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:1-2:13)

The Greek word for witnesses in Acts 1:8 is μάρτυς (martus) which has two meanings—one who testifies to the truth of what he knows, and secondly, one who by his death bears witness to the truth. Only the Holy Spirit can give one the boldness to testify to the truth that he knows, even when it means certain death.


Day 2: A true witness of Christ Jesus will preach the Word to the lost. (Acts 2:14-41)

After Jesus told the disciples to be His witnesses, the first thing Peter does is preach. And the result? "When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter, 'What shall we do?'" They wanted to know more! Peach the Word as a true witness of Jesus Christ. Don't keep it to yourself!


Day 3: A true witness of Jesus Christ will be involved in and act with the Church. (Acts 2:42-47)

After Peter's sermon, 3,000 people came to know Christ. And after that? They joined the Church. "And all who believed were together..." They also acted as a Church, "and they began selling their possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need" We need to fellowship and act with the Body.


Day 4: A true witness of Jesus Christ knows that His actions can often lead to an explanation of what God is doing. (Acts 3:1-10)

There are two possible results when you do something in Jesus' name. The direct result: "he (the man who was ministered to)...entered the temple with them, LEAPING AND PRAISING GOD.", and the indirect result: "And all the people saw him (the direct result) walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were FILLED WITH WONDER AND AMAZEMENT at what had happened to him."


Day 5: A true witness of Jesus Christ will take any opportunity to show the glory of God to others. (Acts 3:11-26)

Peter had just healed a lame man and, instead of taking the credit and accepting the praises of men, gave the glory to God. "And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: 'Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?'" He took the opportunity he had before the large group of people to preach the gospel. "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."


Day 6: Even when arrested, a true witness of Jesus Christ will CONTINUE to preach the gospel. (Acts 4:1-22)

There is a repeating theme in Acts thus far; preaching the gospel, regardless of the circumstances. Peter was a guy that "just didn't know when to stop." He took every opportunity he got to proclaim Jesus' death and resurrection. Even when he was arrested, he STILL wouldn't give up. If that's not a sign of a true witness of Jesus Christ, I don't know what is.


Day 7: A true witness of Christ Jesus will pray for boldness to be an even better witness. (Acts 4:23-31)

Peter and John returned to their fellow Christians and reported the Sanhedrin's injunction against preaching the gospel. Instead of giving up, the Christians prayed for more boldness to CONTINUE to preach the gospel. These were Christians who actually believed "If God be for us, who could be against us?



For the glory of God,
Zayne Allen