Jun 27, 2025
Before Jesus was crucified, Jesus gave the disciples instructions and went to the mount of olives (John 18:1). Forty days after Jesus rose from the grave, he gave the disciples their final instructions on the mount of olives and then the disciples returned to the upper room (Acts 1:12-13). This first meeting, after Jesus was gone, leaves the disciples with their first test. The instructions Jesus left were to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). And we know the end game included every tribe, nation and tongue (Rev. 7:9). But here, the disciples were few and weak. When they gathered together, they would lock the doors in fear of the Jews (John 20:19). Here is where the disciples would follow or fail.
Before following the story of the disciples, it is appropriate to note the gentleness and severity of the Savior. In the weeks after Jesus was resurrected, he could have severely rebuked these men for their fear and failure to boldly stand up for him. But instead he meets them where they were and makes them breakfast (John 21:12). At breakfast, when Jesus gently restored Peter after his 3 time denial, Peter was still thinking about his position compared to John. Jesus could have told Peter that he was hopeless, but instead he told him, follow me. Jesus does not put out a smoldering wick (Matt. 12:20), but gently fans the flame until it burns brightly.
In the High Priestly prayer Jesus prayed for the disciples (John 17), he prayed that they may all be one, as Jesus and the Father were one. That unity starting with the eleven would be the unity that covered the earth with his presence. The disciples didn’t yet know the end of the story, all they knew was the next step. After Jesus was ascended into heaven, here in that same upper room, the disciples were in one accord, devoting themselves to prayer. Though they were only the eleven apostles and a few others, totaling about 15-20 people.
“they were together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” Acts 1:14
This small beginning was all that Jesus required of them at this time. This is how the Lord works with frail people, he calls them to faithful and simple dependance. When his disciples are faithful in the little things, Jesus will put them in charge of many things (Matt. 25:23, Luke 16:10).
Multiplication Begins
Here the disciples began to act out Jesus’ plan. Acts chapter 2 reveals the Helper just as Jesus promised. The Spirit’s presence with a physical flame was a tangible way for the disciples to see Jesus fulfilling his promises to them. Jesus was now going to direct his church through his Spirit. The Spirit would guide the apostles to write the foundational truth, our New Testament scriptures. As directed by the Holy Spirit, the apostles teaching is everything the church needs for spiritual growth and maturity.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Acts 2:42
This new group of believers were acting exactly how Jesus planned. When they said they were in fellowship, this is denoting the partnership that all believers have. Partnering with people inside the church was going to be the model by which the church would flourish and thrive for the centuries to come. The apostles expand this model of stimulating one another for love and good deeds in Romans 12:10, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4, Colossians 3, 1 Thessalonians 4, Hebrews 3 and 1 Peter 4. Having fellowship as a unified group of followers has been the theme since the beginning. How fitting it is that once this fellowship began, they would continue breaking bread on a regular basis, remembering the night that Jesus gave them the great master plan.
Already in Acts 2 the multiplication factor begun. The 12 now multiplied to 3,000. But how are these 3,000 going to have this new identity and be in the path of unity? How are strangers from every tribe, nation and tongue going to become identified with these 12 apostles as representatives of the body of Christ? There’s only one answer and it is found when John the Baptist declared,
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29.
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
This is the only message that can begin these 3,000 believers on a path of unity in the body of Christ. The only way is by turning from an independent life apart from God and turning to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The disciples were further along in following Jesus then these 3,000 new disciples. It was now up to them, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to recount all that Jesus took them through. Jesus patiently brought Peter along with baby steps, not burdening him with pressure before he was ready. So now, in this first sermon, he recounted all the wonderful things he witnessed of Jesus Christ to help these new believers on their first baby step following Jesus. This is how the church would continue without Christ in person and this is what we are called to do in the church of 2025.
There is no new method and there is no new plan. Jesus knows best how to bring in a people who are scattered abroad (John 11:52). Ever since these first beginnings, the church has had all types of believers, from those who just began following Jesus to those who have followed for decades. How do we learn together when there are 10,000 voices calling us apart? We only need to continue to follow the example of the first believers in Acts.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul… And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” Acts 2:42-43a, 46-47a
Share this post