The early church was growing, but this growth wasn't without painful, even deadly opposition. Following Jesus in a fallen world often leads us through seasons of pain and suffering. What can we learn from the early church so that we can have the same confidence and peace we see in Acts?

Antioch is where we first see those who are following in the way of Jesus called Christians. To bear the name Christian is to be a devoted follower of Jesus above all else, and the same is just as true today as it was then. The question before us is, are we rightly ordering our lives to put Jesus above all else, or are we letting our religious, political, or vocational labels take precedence over bearing the name of Jesus?

There are many things in life that seem to have the final word. Health. Closed doors for opportunity. Many things seem to be the end of the story. But there are times when God overrules those things and speaks with final authority. Our call is to hear, to trust, and to follow.

In our chapter, God calls Saul to the same thing He calls all of us to: absolute surrender. When He gives us salvation, He calls us to surrender our plans, our will, our desires, our lives. Saul will surrender to God, and his life will be changed forever. Ananias surrenders to God, and great fruit comes of it. What is the result of surrender in our lives?

Philip was a part of a great work in Samaria, and yet God had something else for him to do. As Philip was obedient, even when it didn’t make sense, God was able to do something special. Seeing his obedience is a challenge and an encouragement to us that we would faithfully obey the voice of God.

As the early church scatters, Philip finds himself in Samaria, a place where no good Jew would ever be. Philip would not hesitate to preach Christ, and as a result, great joy would come to the city. In an unexpected place with unexpected people, the power of the Lord would burst through. We see the gospel is for the World, and that the Spirit is available for all who call on God for salvation.

Living for God isn't in just the big moments, such as Stephen's death in Acts. In fact, it's the little moments of life that make a big moment possible. How do we follow God with our whole lives, regardless of the size of the moment and regardless of cost?

As the early community of believers grew, so did the needs. When there is a need, it is all too easy to assume someone else will step up to meet it. But in Acts, we see the beauty of a unified church diversified in its gifts, reaching farther together. The question for us is, how can we actively play a part in serving one another?