“The book of Acts is a transitional book. God at that time was authenticating His move with exceptional signs and wonders. If we elevate Acts above further truths and practices, such as we have in the epistles, I fear we’re prone to error.” Fred Pratt Associate Pastor and my accountability partner.

This is a valid concern, both Fred and myself have seen those errors leak into church life. Before I begin my next series on being sensitive to the indwelling Holy Spirit, I must address those errors of the past.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God has a plan for us all. God is all about the end game and how to enact His will to achieve that end. Now let us consider the times, trials, needs, and people of the first century church.

Rome ruled the known world at the time. Any threat to the rule of Rome was met with a horrible death.

The Jewish religion had a strong hold on the populace and any threat to that religious strangle hold meant being imprisoned and ostracized.

Jesus Christ has just ascended to the right hand throne of God. He has sent the Holy Spirit to enact God’s will and follow the plan set in motion by God the Father.

The people needed something more than a story, a witness, to overcome the odds they were up against them in Roman rule and the hold their church had on them. They needed to be empowered. The first century Christian church, this cult called the Way, needed a kick start. Then came the day of Pentecost.