Please begin by reading Acts 15:1-35
The story of Easter is essential to Christian faith. Jesus, who was sinless, died a criminal’s death though he was innocent. Three days later, he rose from the dead and conquered sin. This is how God decided to invite us back into His presence for eternity–by having his Son die for our sins so we may be forgiven. After Jesus ascends into Heaven, he empowers his followers (the early Church) to continue his mission on Earth.
But the early Church experienced more than its fair share of problems.
- Jewish religious leaders were hostile towards the early Church
- Believers were persecuted and sometimes killed for their faith
- There was disagreement among members over doctrinal issues
With the aim of resolving these issues, the Church implemented a plan:
- To spread the gospel as widely and quickly as possible,
- To ensure unity among believers through a common faith, and
- To build a healthy church structure by working together.
Let’s take a time-out to notice what’s happening here, because there are stories like this all over the Bible. We can look at the stories of Abraham, Moses, David and more – the same pattern appears throughout the Scriptures: God’s people face a challenge and make a plan to overcome it in the hopes that they will ultimately experience God’s victory in their lives.
The same is true for us today. Whenever we encounter conflict or difficult situations, whether between individuals or within a group, we can rely on God’s principles and make a plan to overcome it and reach our goal. With the help of his grace, our faith in Him, and fellow believers around us, we too can experience God’s victory in our lives.
Answer this: What challenges are you experiencing at the moment? What is one small step you can take to start addressing that issue?
