death with the sword, and henceforth we find another James, "the brother of the Lord" (that is, Jesus' brother), at the head of the community in Jerusalem. Seeing that this act was approved by the majority of his subjects, Agrippa next ordered Peter imprisoned, about the time of Passover. The story of Peter's imprisonment, the prayers of the church for his safety, the account of his miraculous release by an angel, his return to the house where the disciples were gathered and the alarm of the maid who answered his knock at the gate and could not believe it was really Peter-this story is related with great detail in the twelfth chapter of Acts. It is almost the last of the traditions of the early Jerusalem church, and one of the most beautiful in all religious literature. What is especially noteworthy for our purpose, as picturing the condition of the primitive church, is the assembly of the Christians at the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12)—evidently a wellto-do house, with gateway, porter's door, and inner court. The Christians in Jerusalem still attended the services in the Temple, and observed the hours of prayer; those outside Jerusalem, like their fellow Jews everywhere, went to worship in the synagogues. But in addition, they had their meetings for prayer and instruction and fellowship in the homes of believers, where also they observed the breaking of the bread, after the example of their Lord. The upper room, perhaps in Mary's house, was a place sacred to the apostles and brethren, for here Jesus had eaten the Passover with his disciples before he died. But in their own homes as well they "broke bread," "with gladness and singleness of heart," praising God and telling the good news of Jesus and his kingdom to all who would listen to them-but still for the most part "speaking the word to none save Jews." STUDY TOPICS 1. Read the story of Peter's release from prison (Acts 12:1-19). Who were the authorities of the church in Jerusalem, as reflected in this tradition (see verse 17)? What can you say of the organization of the church at this time? What were the duties of the "prophets and teachers"? "the elders"? the apostles? 2. Look up some of the following instances of the "church in the house" among the early Christians: Acts 1: 13; 2:46; 4:23; 5:42; 9: 19, 43; 10:33; 11:26; 12: 12. For the expression, see Romans 16: 5. Describe the worship of the early Christians at this date. 3. Draw a map showing the expansion of the church in the first eighteen years of its existence (before Paul's first missionary journey-Acts 1-12), locating the cities and districts evangelized in this period (cities with red dots; districts with fine, red shading). 4. Make a list of the believers mentioned by name in these early chapters of Acts. Of how many of them do you know anything more than their names? See Acts 1:13, 23; 3:2; 4:36; 5: 1; 6: 5; 8:13, 27; 9:1, 33, 36, 43; 10: 1; 11:28; 12: 12, 13, 17; 13: 1. Only thirty-seven are mentioned by name-thirtyseven out of several thousand-and these for the most part obscure men and women. What does this suggest as to the condition of the early Christians, and the class among whom the new faith spread most widely? 5. Recall the sermons described or quoted in the first twelve chapters of Acts. What were the main points of the gospel which the early apostles presented? (See, for example, Acts 2: 22-40; 3: 12 26; 4:9-12; 5: 30-32; 10: 34-43.) Note especially what was said regarding (1) the ministry of Jesus and his Messiahship; (2) his death and resurrection; (3) the Holy Spirit; (4) the coming judgment; (5) the need for repentance. 6. What was the importance of miracles in the early church? 7. Why was the earliest preaching of the gospel limited to Jews? 8. If Christianity spread to-day as it did in the first century, what would be some of the features in its expansion? How might it spread in your own town or neighborhood? Imagine the part you yourself might take in it. Is there any reason why the extension of the church should be left entirely to missionaries and clergymen? |