4 Practical Life Lessons from Acts

How does the book of Acts fit into your Bible reading? Confession – for a long time it was one of my least favorite books. I think it is natural to have changing feelings about various Bible books as you mature. This is part of God’s plan of revealing himself to his children.

The book presents a narrative of the early church, highlighting the early days and then providing the story of the ministry of the apostle Paul.

We must understand that the lessons we learn from narrative books are different than those we learn from other types of books that present direct teachings. With that in mind, here are some lessons that mean a lot to me as I read this book.

The community of believers

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  

Acts 2:42 (ESV)

One of the most important traits of the early church was the devotion they had. This passage goes on the detail their activities including meeting daily. They had such a great appetite for spiritual life and zeal for worship and learning.

It was this devotion that helped establish the church with power and effectiveness. This is an example for us today. When God’s people enthusiastically give themselves to the work of God’s kingdom, their whole world changes.

The power of God

Throughout the book, we see God’s power manifested in the ministry of the apostles. This was clearly described as the Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering.

And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.

Acts 5:14–15 (ESV)

So much was happening in the church during those days and the healing ministry that Jesus inaugurated was carried on. The early disciples had witnessed the power of God to heal and they considered it natural that God’s power was not diminished just because Jesus was no longer with them. They demonstrated incredible faith as they ministered in this way.

The priority of prayer

There were needs in the church. There was a strong movement to care for the believers, particularly widows. The work of the church was spiritual but also encompassed the entire life of each member. Prayer was central and powerful.

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:1–4 (ESV)

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31 (ESV)

The work of the church is, first of all about the word of God and prayer. God calls some to focus on that ministry and others to be dispensers and administrators of a compassionate ministry. But God provided the power for those critical days in response to prayer.

The power of prayer

I had to slip one more prayer lesson in. I love this verse.

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Acts 12:5 (ESV)

Herod had just initiated an intense persecution of the church. James, the brother of John, was arrested and executed and Peter was also arrested and scheduled for execution. What happened next demonstrated the power of prayer. Peter was rescued by and angel and hidden from Herod’s grasp and soon Herod was struck by God and died (12:20-23).

Prayer makes a difference, especially when there is united prayer as we have seen here and in Acts 4:31.

These are four simple and powerful lessons that we can use today to help us in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.

Get serious about Acts

See how many lessons you can find to help yourself grow in your faith through the reading and study of this great book.

Now available is the complete: Transformational Life Lessons from the Bible in Kindle format. Click here for more information.