Acts 2 – 6 chapters

Acts 2 Mark’s a pivotal point in the New Testament. One hundred and twenty men and women become charter members of the church when it is born in an upper room in Jerusalem. Yet by end of the Chapter, it explodes into a body of more than three thousand members.

After the Holy Spirit falls on the believers (Acts 2:1-4), those visiting Jerusalem begin to wonder how these disciples of Jesus could speak so many languages (2:5-13). While some think the disciples are drunk, most just feel confused. Chaos seems to rule.

That’s when Peter stands up and begins to speak. This same Peter, who ran in fear on the night of Jesus’ trial, now speaks boldly. Within minutes, he has captivated everyone with his compelling words. The crowd gladly accepts his message. Why? He has charisma. Through a combination of God-given wiring and the gift of the Holy Spirit, this leader captures and motivates three thousand people to follow Christ.

When Peter stood up to preach, no doubt the crowd saw God-given power and purpose- but first they saw God-given passion. Passion made up for Peter’s lack of natural gifts of education. When Peter became a magnet for others, three thousand people joined the church that day. Passion draws passion. Passionate Leaders are Magnetic for others. (Acts 2:7-21).

The apostle Peter may be the greatest turnaround leader in the New Testament. After the touch of the Holy Spirit Peter received spoke the name of Christ with great power and authority and without fear of the consequences. So Peter preached… and the whole world turned upside down! This is the kind of turnaround that occurs in the life of one touched by the Holy Spirit of God.

When we have a genuine encounter with Jesus, when He transforms our hearts and minds and empowers us and emboldens us, we have no choice— we must preach the gospel, we must speak the Word of God.

Immediately following Pentecost, the Christian movement picked up steam. Two leaders,Peter and John, encountered a lame man on their way to the temple. When the name of Jesus healed the man, they immediately gained the credibility to share the gospel. Once they walked the walk, they attracted an audience when they talked.

Demonstration+Proclamation = Credibility.

One Person with a Courage is a Majority. In acts 4 we see courage on display in the life of Peter and John. Even though these two leaders were thrown into Jail for preaching and performing the miracle in the name of Jesus. They boldly asserts that the name of Jesus not their own talent, had healed the man. He also explains that SALVATION comes through no other name Only JESUS.

The whole church enjoyed unity and generosity, and it all started at the top. Apostles spread a spirit of generosity throughout the whole church. Unfortunately, a couple of pretenders, Ananias and Sapphira,hid some part of the money got by selling their land, rest laid it at the Apostles feet. But the Holy Spirit revealed their deception, revealed their lack of honesty. God would have nothing to do with it. He surgically removed the spiritual cancer from the church by taking their lives. So great fear came upon the church and upon all who heard these things, Dr. Luke says.(Acts 5:11).

Building Generosity into your Life. Nothing speaks to others more loudly or serves them better than a Leader’s generosity. Effective leaders gather for others then give it away. Consider several ways to cultivate generosity in our own life.

1. Be grateful for whatever you have.
2. Put people first.
3. Don’t allow greed to control you.
4. Regard money as a resource.
5. Develop the habit of giving.

Sometimes we hold on to our possessions because we fear we might run out—- life seems scarce. But when we believe that giving is the way to live, we will produce more in the future– life seems abundant. This is the life Jesus Christ had in mind for us. Jesus came to give abundance, life in abundance. (John 10:10)

God bless us.

Yours in christ,
Mercy Joy, Bangalore