Topical Encyclopedia
The success attending the apostles in their ministry is a testament to the divine empowerment and guidance they received following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The apostles, as the foundational leaders of the early Christian church, were instrumental in spreading the Gospel and establishing Christian communities across the Roman Empire and beyond. Their success is attributed to several key factors, as evidenced in the New Testament.
Divine Commission and EmpowermentThe apostles were directly commissioned by Jesus Christ, who entrusted them with the Great Commission. In
Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus instructs them, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This divine mandate was accompanied by the promise of His presence, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The empowerment of the Holy Spirit was crucial to their success. In
Acts 1:8 , Jesus promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The fulfillment of this promise at Pentecost (Acts 2) marked the beginning of their effective ministry, as they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in various tongues, enabling them to reach a diverse audience.
Miraculous Signs and WondersThe apostles' ministry was characterized by miraculous signs and wonders, which served to authenticate their message and demonstrate the power of God.
Acts 5:12 records, "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade." These miracles not only drew crowds but also confirmed the truth of the Gospel they preached.
Boldness and PerseveranceDespite facing severe persecution, the apostles exhibited remarkable boldness and perseverance.
Acts 4:29-31 highlights their prayer for boldness: "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." Their unwavering commitment to their mission, even in the face of imprisonment and martyrdom, was a significant factor in their success.
Strategic Evangelism and Church PlantingThe apostles employed strategic methods in their evangelistic efforts. They often began their ministry in Jewish synagogues, as seen in
Acts 17:2 , "As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures." This approach allowed them to reach both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. Additionally, they established local churches, appointing elders to oversee these communities, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the early church.
Unity and FellowshipThe unity and fellowship among the apostles and the early believers were vital to their success.
Acts 2:42 describes the early church: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This communal life fostered a strong sense of belonging and mutual support, which was attractive to outsiders and facilitated the spread of the Gospel.
Transformative MessageThe transformative message of the Gospel, centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was the cornerstone of the apostles' success. Their preaching was not merely about moral reform but about a radical transformation of life through faith in Christ. This message resonated deeply with individuals across different cultures and social strata, leading to widespread conversions.
In summary, the success attending the apostles was a multifaceted phenomenon, rooted in divine empowerment, strategic evangelism, and the transformative power of the Gospel. Their legacy continues to influence Christian ministry to this day.
Nave's Topical Index
Acts 2:1-4,41And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... and discovered a spirit which should animate every Christian minister, and every
Christian man; a ... undoubtedly not of God, of which the success has been ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm
The Spokesman of the City's Conscience
... life, aroused the people with more success than any ... but it seems to one attending
our gatherings ... with genuine emotion this Christian minister who represented ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the spokesman of the citys.htm
Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... The success attending the preaching of the gospel aroused the anger ... The minister
of Christ is not to present to ... on every point of the Christian faith, showing ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 37 pauls last journey.htm
Tries to Become a Politician. Fails. Last Act as a Politician. ...
Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel. ... to see the Board of the
Christian Education Society ... ten thousand more, that were considered a success. ...
/.../chapter vii tries to become.htm
Independence of Christianity
... been laboring in Africa with great success, and many ... is the highest honor that a
Christian minister can have ... I had seen the minister from Monday morning till ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/independence of christianity.htm
How Churches Can Help Ministers.
... importance of this co-operation to the success of the ... nothing else to do, till finally,
the minister had to ... give a party, and invite some Christian friends, so ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xiii how churches can.htm
From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... mixture of the gravity of the Christian minister with the ... our preachers " not only
in attending to every ... from discharging his duties with success; and also ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm
The Gospel in Samaria
... in Samaria was marked with great success, and, thus ... Angels of God were attending
this seeker for light ... sympathy and compassion, they are to minister to those in ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 11 the gospel in.htm
Letter viii. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
... But, if your minister is cold and formal, and ... and I cannot see how any Christian
can need ... as your instrumentality is concerned, greatly depends your success. ...
/.../letter viii public and social.htm
Gospel Missions
... a common saying, that members of Christian Churches do ... take the kingdom to himself,
every minister of God ... art the source of thy people's success; without thee ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm
Resources
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