TThe Math Lesson from Acts

I met one of my mentors over forty years ago while I was serving as the executive director of our church.  It was during this timeframe that we were in the process of considering a new addition to our property to enhance our Christian education program. And during that process, I traveled to our corporate church center in St. Louis to discuss financing.  It was in that context that I was introduced to a man named John Meyer.  The Late Reverend John Meyer was the then executive vice president of the Church Extension Fund.  Early on, I invited Pastor Meyer to come to Indianapolis for a visit. And by the way, bring a sermon and Bible study with you too! You see, we were in a period of transition without a full-time pastor.

It was during that visit that I sat and listened as Pastor Meyer  taught us a lesson from Luke’s book of Acts – yes, a math lesson! Sorry to say, that printed lesson has been lost. So I have decided to study Luke’s book and re-create John’s math lesson.

Luke begins his book just prior to our LORD’s ascension into the heavenly realms where He is seated at the right hand of God. And Jesus said, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The disciples were advised by two angels that this same Jesus would come back – quite the promise! They returned from the Mount of Olives and began to pray. Verse fifteen tells us that the believer base was about 120.  The time of the year was late May/early June at the end of the Festival of the Firstfruits (Weeks).  The fiftieth day of the celebration was called Pentecost.

This festival was one of the three required of Jews to attend in Jerusalem. Jews from all over the then known world were there and each speaking in their own native tongue. Peter addresses the crowd and reminds them to “repent and be baptized.” (verse 34) “Those who accepted his message were baptized and about 3,000 were added to their number that day.” Shortly, Luke then tells us that “the LORD added to their number daily.” (verse 47)

Peter and John found themselves in front of the Jewish leaders about their continued preaching Jesus. They threw them in jail but, in spite of their jailing, “many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about 5,000. The believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly!  Acts tells of their multiple healings that resulted in “more and more men and women” were added to their numbers.  The fear of the Jewish leaders continued to escalate, but Gamaliel, a trusted leader and educator, addressed his peers advising them that if the disciple’s message was of men it would fail; but if from God, they’re unstoppable.

The disciples were increasing and so the needs of their followers.  The apostles chose seven Godly men to assist in the ministry.  So, the word of God spread and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number became obedient! (Acts 6:7) Persecution was the tenor of the day that caused a dispersion from Jerusalem to other areas of Judea and Samaria. The scattered believers preached the good news wherever they went. Acts tells of Philip in Samaria and then onto the road where he met an Ethiopian man, a servant of Candace the queen. And yes, the good news spread again.

Philip’s journey continued to Azotus, northeast of Gaza, preaching in towns until he arrived in Caesarea.  So let’s review the math lesson thus far. From 120 to 3,000 to 5,000 and then increased numbers generated from the dispersion and other areas in Judea and Samaria.

Because of their success, the Jewish leaders became more and more concerned, including a man named Saul. Saul, a Pharisee and learned man taught by Gamaliel, was also a Roman citizen and a hater of the Way!  Saul was “breathing out murderous threats,” and obtained letters of introduction to go to other areas to take prisoners back to Jerusalem.  His trip to Damascus was interrupted by the LORD himself and called him to be an apostle instead of a leader of the opposition. Saul (a/k/a Paul) would travel thousands of miles over multiple missionary journeys professing the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

In the meantime, the LORD opened Peter’s eyes and mind suggesting that God intends His word and salvation for all people. God used a centurion named Cornelius to break the ice. This eye-opening event is sometimes called “Gentile Pentecost.” Peter said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism and accepts every man.” (Acts 10:35) And he baptized many! Acts tells us of areas where people were settling who were scattered – Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Syria). And the LORD’s hand was with them, and a great number believed. (verse 21) The church at Jerusalem heard of their success and sent Barnabas to Antioch to observe and report back. He saw the grace of God at work…and a great number of people were brought to the LORD. (verse 22)

Barnabas took Saul back with him to report the work of the church in Antioch. And so began a new partnership in the gospel.  Chapter thirteen starts a new journey of the missionary team. Their first stop was Cyprus, and it was there that the proconsul believed! Their journey took them into Asia Minor. Their stop in Pisidian Antioch yielded many Jew and devout converts to Judaism. And the next week, the “whole” city gathered to hear the Word of God! Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah reminding the crowd that God’s intention was to use Israel as His vehicle to take the Light to the Gentiles.  And with that, many Gentiles there believed.

Paul’s journey continued with several speed bumps.  His stop in Iconium yields “great numbers,” then he fled to Lystra and Derbe.  He was stoned in Lystra but in Derbe he won a large number of disciples. With that he returned to his home congregation in Syrian Antioch to report his findings. The news of his successes reached Jerusalem, but all was not well. For they heard of Gentiles added to the fold. And so we have the first church meeting called the Council of Jerusalem. After his appearing, an understanding was reached with a letter issued to the new churches.

Paul’s partnership with Barnabas was split into two groups with Paul taking Silas and Barnabas taking John Mark.  Paul and Silas went back to Asia Minor, but their plans quickly changed as they were called to Europe (Macedonia). And it was in Philippi that we are told of a lady named Lydia. Acts tells us, “the LORD opened her heart, and she and her household were baptized.” (Acts 16:11) This church in Philippi also included a jailer and his family. From Philippi Paul and Silas travel to Thessalonica where again we are told that “some Jews were persuaded and a large number of God-fearing Greeks.” The Word is planted but Paul and Silas leave under duress. In Berea, many received the message with great eagerness…and many Jews believed and a number of prominent Greeks. Again they left under duress now traveling to Greece to Athens and Corinth. It was in Corinth where Paul’s method of going to the Synagogue first came to a halt and he focused only on Gentile audiences. Even so, a synagogue leader named Crispus and his household believed as did many Corinthians who were baptized.

Paul and Silas have several ministers of the Word now who are to assist in the ministry. For example, Paul leaves Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus, the world’s then third most populated city, and the Word of the LORD spread widely and grew in power. (Acts 19:20). When Paul concludes his third journey, he was warned not to go to Jerusalem based on the news of his eventual arrest.  Acts 21:20 provides us with great news of how the Word does not return unto God void (see Isaiah 55:11).  The Jerusalem brothers advised Paul of how many thousand (myriads Greek) Jews believed.  The technical meaning of myriad is 10,000.

 Paul’s journey took him to Rome for trial since he was a Roman citizen.  His travel was not without additional troubles.  But even the shipwreck was in God’s plan. God appeared to Paul during their storm-ridden trip. His promise was that none would perish.  Paul and the entire crew landed in Malta where they were greeted warmly.  Paul performed many miraculous healings and left three months later with all the supplies needed to support their continued travel to Rome.

It’s impossible to state a final convert number to the Christian Church based on the book of Acts but suffice is to say, great numbers would be a good summary.  In addition to the numbers, it is also important as to the new leaders identified to assist in the new church plants over Asia Minor and Europe. People like Timothy, Titus, and Luke just to name a few. Today is no different. Scripture tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

May God continue to use these examples in the early church as guides for us today as we seek to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand.

GHR

Facts: More Math for the Unreached

• 1.5 billion don’t have the full Bible in their language.
• 128 million have NONE.
• 350+ sign languages waiting on a video Bible.
• Of the 7.75 billion population, 3.23 billion unreached
• 17,446 people groups with 7,400 (41%) unreached
• 11,700 current missionaries – but 30 times more needed to reach those unreached.