Bible Studies
What Made Them Effective?
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. The Book of Acts describes how the number of disciples grew from 120 (1:20), to 3,000 (2:41), to 5,000 (4:4), in a relative short period of time. 5:14 adds, “And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number.” 2. The expansion increased from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria and then to the remotest part of the earth. 3. The book of Acts closes with Paul in Rome having made three evangelistic tours and we can only assume that the many other disciples, about whom we have little or no record, had gone about their work with a similar level of effectiveness. 4. What made them effective? What did they teach? How did they persuade men to accept their testimony about Jesus as the Christ? Did they conduct evangelistic campaigns in the stadiums of their day? How did they go about this work? 5. The biblical account gives us a great deal of historical information that answers these questions.Discussion:
I. Jesus, before His ascension, had given them the great commission to go into the entire world. He had promised that He would be with them (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-18; Lk. 24:44-49). From these commission accounts we gain much information about what may have made them effective.A. They were operating under the authority of heaven (Matt. 28:18).
1. Under direct commission by the resurrected Lord.
2. With the promise of His presence with them.
B. The Lord promised that signs would accompany them (Mk. 16:17-18).
1. These signs are a manifestation of the Lord’s presence with them. Thus these signs had to go beyond the “natural miracles” (child birth, life, etc.). These miracles were “special manifestations” beyond nature that proved the Lord’s presence.
2. Mark says, “The Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”
3. Note the purpose of the signs—to confirm the word. This purpose for miracles is evident throughout Scripture. Miracles are designed to authenticate and validate the message as come from God.
C. Luke’s account gives insight into the nature of what they taught and the power behind it (Lk. 24:44-49).
1. “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”
a. This statement reveals that what they taught had a definite foundation in what the Scriptures said.
b. This statement defines a very definite perception about the predictive nature of Scripture. Thus, there is a recognition of divine authority behind the Scripture.
2. “That the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day.”
a. Not only is there a belief in the predictive and therefore authoritative nature of Scripture, but there is a clear understanding that the Scriptures validated resurrection from the dead.
b. We know that resurrection from the dead was a key element of their preaching, a concept incredible, especially amongst the Gentiles, and yet they were able to persuade people to accept it.
3. Jesus promised them “power from on high.”
a. In each one of the commission accounts there was “special power” promised.
b. In Matthew Jesus said, “I will be with you.”
c. In Mark, “These signs will accompany you.”
d. In Luke, “You will be clothed with power.”
4. While I do not see evidence of God acting in this way today, I must admit from my human perspective, it seems like I could be more convincing to unbelievers if I were able to perform miracles. This was certainly an element in their effectiveness.
D. You cannot do away with the authority of Scripture, do away with the resurrection, and do away with miraculous power, at least in the first century, and be effective in the work the first century apostles were doing.
II. To determine what they taught we can examine their sermons and things that are more casually mentioned in the historical records. We will make no attempt to be as thorough as we might examining everything that is mentioned, but we will do enough to determine the general thrust of what they taught. You can then confirm this with your previous knowledge and add to it with your future study.A. Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 is of primary importance here. But since we studied it in some detail recently I will not rehearse that detail again. Perhaps a brief review is in order.
1. First, I would observe the power of God’s presence in the miracle of speaking in languages that had not learned. This confirmed and validated the message as from God. Peter appeals to miracles as confirmation of Jesus’ relationship with God (v. 22).
2. Second, I would observe the extreme dependence upon Scripture and its predictive nature that characterizes the sermon.
a. Not only are there frequent quotations.
b. But the predictive element is foundational.
1) The tongue speaking.
2) A time when everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
3) Reference to the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.
4) Prediction of the resurrection and exaltation of the Christ.
5) Reference to the promise (v. 39).
3. Repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
B. Peter’s second sermon (Acts 3).
1. Preceded by the healing of a lame man.
2. Reading of 3:11-26. What did he preach?
a. Jesus healed him. The one you disowned.
b. You put to death the Prince of Peace.
c. God raised Him from the dead.
d. You acted in ignorance.
e. Predicted in the prophets.
f. Repent and experience the blessing of turning from your wicked ways.
3. Peter at Cornelius’ house (10:34-48).
a. Note reference to “the word sent to the sons of Israel” (v. 36).
b. Jesus—anointed by God, put to death, raised, appointed as Judge.
c. Witnessed by the prophets that through Him those who believe receive forgiveness of sins.
d. Holy Spirit fell on them.
e. Ordered to be baptized.
C. Stephen before the High Priest (Acts 6:7ff).
D. Paul in Athens (Acts 17:22ff).
1. Proclaimed the unknown God.
2. Called for repentance and change of thinking about the divine nature.
3. Proclaimed the coming judgment and the resurrection.
E. Things more casually mentioned that reveal information about what they taught.
1. Philip and the Ethopian (Acts 8:4ff).
2. Paul (Acts 26:17-23).
3. Preaching the kingdom of God in Rome (Acts 28:31).
4. Called on people to turn to the true and living God from idols (1 Thess. 1:9-10), a radical message among idolaters. Usually they just accepted another god in addition to those already served.
F. Note in these records the place of the Scriptures, the place of Jesus, His death and resurrection. Note the place of miracles. Note the teaching of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
1. They persuaded men from the Scriptures.
2. In the case of idol worshipers modified their approach to “fit” with their presuppositions somewhat.
III. How did they go about persuading people?A. Taught publically and from house to house (Acts 20:20).
B. Peter and John in the temple area (Acts 3)
C. Peter one on one with the Ethiopian (Acts 8).
D. Through households: Cornelius (Acts 10); Lydia (Acts 16:15); jailer (Acts 16:31).
E. Paul in the Areopagus (Acts 17:22).
F. Paul journeyed from place to place sometimes supported by his own work and sometimes by churches (Acts 18:3-5; 2Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15-16).
G. Does not seem like their primary way of persuading people was through large meetings, but mostly through relatively small informal settings.
Conclusion:
1. What made them effective? 2. The power of God? The Scriptures? Their preaching of the resurrection? Their confident belief in the Lord Jesus Christ? 3. Their call for repentance and turning to the true and living God from idols? 4. Appears to be a combination of all such factors. But rest assured their success was not attributable to compromise with idolatry; denial of the power of God (miracles); denial of the authority of Scripture; or denial of the resurrection for all such denials undermines confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ.
