The Secret of the Church’s Power in the Days of the Apostles
The Secret of the Church’s Power in the Days of the Apostles
† The Church in the days of the apostles was strong and growing:
Despite the violent persecutions that the Church encountered from the Roman state, from the Jews, and from the philosophers of paganism, the Church was strong and was growing in a wondrous and astonishing way.
“And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied” (Acts 9:31). “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Even those who were scattered because of the persecution “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
A beautiful and honorable image of a growing Church… With one sermon delivered by Peter, three thousand were baptized (Acts 2:41). Then the number of the men became five thousand (Acts 4:4), besides women and children… Then multitudes joined, then cities joined, then the Gentiles entered into the faith (Acts 10), “And the word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 12:24). And within thirty years, Christianity had spread in the most famous countries of the whole world…
It was clear that the apostolic fathers fulfilled the saying of the Lord: “And ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
And the world stood astonished before the power of the word and the power of the miracle.
The miracles supported the preaching of the apostles: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people… and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (Acts 5:12, 14).
So what was the wondrous secret that lay behind this power?
The secret of power, without doubt, was the Holy Spirit…
The Lord Christ commanded His apostles, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). And when did they receive this power? He said to them: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me in Jerusalem” (Acts 1:8).
Indeed, the apostles did not begin their preaching ministry except after the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them on the Day of Pentecost, and they received power from Him (Acts 2).
And the work of the Holy Spirit continued in them as the secret of their power…
The Church was strong because being filled with the Spirit was a condition for ministry. Indeed, being filled with the Spirit was a commandment to all believers (Ephesians 5:18).
Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit with the rest of the apostles on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), it was said of him when he spoke to the rulers of the people after the miracle of healing the lame man: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8). And Stephen, the chief of the deacons, who was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom and faith (Acts 6:3, 5), it was also said of him in the story of his martyrdom that he “being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven” (Acts 7:55). This then is the secret of power…
It was said about Barnabas that he “was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24). Indeed, it was said about the whole company of believers when they prayed, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness… and when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together” (Acts 4:31).
The Church of the apostles was the Church of the Holy Spirit. It was a group of spiritual believers led by the Holy Spirit…
And it was the Holy Spirit who chose the servants and led them: “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them… So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed unto Seleucia…” (Acts 13:2–4).
The Holy Spirit told Peter to go to Cornelius (Acts 10:19). “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word” (Acts 10:44).
And the Holy Spirit said to Philip to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:39). After he preached to him and baptized him, “the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip” (Acts 8:29). And the Holy Spirit appointed for Paul and Silas the places of their ministry (Acts 16:6–10).
They spoke by the Spirit; the Spirit gave them what to speak.
And they were “partners of the Holy Spirit,” just as they were “temples of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit dwelt in them.” Therefore they succeeded as a Church.
If we desire to succeed, let us be like them, filled with the Spirit.
Let us take from the Spirit what we say to the people: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:11, 17, 29).
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