Today we'll see how persecution is to be expected with the Gospel is shared effectively.

The elect, who purchased by the precious blood of Christ, through a faith that shields, should live in obedience to the truth, sober minded and ready for action. Always craving the Word and loving one another with a sincer love, so that you may declare the praises of God from whom you received great mercy, your salvation: a living hope and eternal inheritance.

Throughout the gospels, the gospel writers keyed in on the mission of our Lord – namely to provide for our salvation through His sacrifice on the cross to the glory of God the Father. The mission of the early church, which is revealed in the Great Commission, is to proclaim that message and win disciples.

In today's message we'll see the core values that make up a healthy church and the characteristics of a healthy church.

Recognition of sin must be a part of our response to God’s message. Change begins with repentance. Repentance means I am ready to have God change my mind. We come to the conclusion that because of our sin we are helplessly and hopelessly lost. We stop disregarding our sin, and we turn to God asking Him to forgive us and cleanse us from our sin.

There are many today who misunderstand who Jesus is or don’t know Him at all. People need to know the real Jesus of the Bible. In Acts 2, the disciples were able to introduce many to Jesus by sharing God’s truth with those who did not know Him or understand who He really was. This opportunity came as a result of a miracle that had taken place – but the power behind the conversion was the same message of truth we share today- Jesus is Lord and Christ!

Easter Sunday - The resurrection of Jesus Christ affects us on a daily and intimate level when we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior because in so doing we are united with Him.

This morning as we look into the 2nd chapter of Acts we’re going to see the fulfilment of God’s promise concerning the Hold Spirit and then that the first witness of the Holy Spirit’s work had differing responses.

This morning we’re going to see the importance of prayer to ministry as we close out the 1st chapter this morning.

In Acts 1 the Word of God presents the ascension of our Lord and the promise of His return. Just as the Lord unexpectedly ascended after the resurrection, He will return unexpectedly as well. The imminent return of the Lord was a doctrine of the early church, and it should be a perspective we embrace as well.