The Church in the Book of Acts

What a title! There are so many directions one could go under such a banner! In this case it is simply the second in my series, How do the Apostles refer to the church? So, The Church in the Book of Acts is only concerned with How is the church described in the book of Acts. I say only, yet I found the book of Acts to be very enlightening in this matter.

Let me begin with the miscellaneous descriptions and then get to the meat of the matter.

The Book of Acts is about the gospel going out into all the world and people coming to Christ. And they were believing in Christ in great numbers! So we find the church described as: “all that believed” (1x); “multitude” (7x; the multitude, the multitude of them that believed, the multitude of the disciples, the whole multitude, great multitude, all the multitude); “much people” (3x); “their own company” (2x); “Christians” (2x); “flock” (2x)

Three observations:

1) multitude - the church was obviously growing by leaps and bounds!

2) flock – hearkening back to what Jesus said about sheep and fold and shepherd

3) Christian – and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. This name was first applied to believers by unbelievers. I don’t think it was meant as a compliment, much like “Jesus freaks” from the 60s and 70s. But it was quickly accepted and adopted by believers, becoming the name they were known by. So Herod commented after Paul’s defense, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. I am persuaded this is the fulfillment of Isaiah 62.2, And thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Now the meat. This was the most interesting thing I learned.

Church – 21 times
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Disciples – 26 times
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch

Brethren – 30 times
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea

Not only is the church growing by leaps and bounds, but the emphasis in Acts seems to be on relationship: to Christ (disciples), to one another (brethren), and together (church).

We don’t talk like this today. I wonder who should change?


Next: The Church in Romans