Please begin by reading Acts 15:1-35
Let’s pick up where we left off with the early Church we read about in Acts. As readers of their stories, we know they wanted to spread the Gospel of Christ, but they were experiencing difficulties and implemented a plan to manage their challenges. Although we see all of the elements that make up a good story so far, we still need to know if they followed through with their plans. After all, the future of Christianity depended on their success.
Spoiler Alert: We know they did because we continue to celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Christ today!
Here’s what happened: The Apostles appointed elders to serve as spiritual leaders in each city where the Gospel was preached. They also established councils to bring different opinions together and make decisions on how to serve the Church best. As they spread the faith, they encouraged unity by maintaining a common understanding of core beliefs, such as Christ’s death and resurrection. Finally, they set up systems for collecting funds and distributing them fairly among members in need.
The book of Acts reflects the early Church’s plan for overcoming conflict and achieving its goal of spreading the Gospel. The strategy included being unified in spirit, emphasizing prayer and unity, understanding differences among believers, developing effective outreach plans, and relying on the Holy Spirit to guide them. Their plan was successful as the church grew rapidly despite much opposition.
Answer this: What’s at stake? Have you thought about how to overcome your adversities? What could happen if you follow through? What could happen if you don’t?
