50 days after Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples were in Jerusalem. In Acts 2:1-41 Luke writes that the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and it seemed as if tongues of fire had descended upon each of them. Peter then preached a sermon about the resurrection and about 3,000 people were baptized.
Immediately, then, the new believers gather together in fellowship:
Acts 2:42-47, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
THE JOURNEY TO DISCIPLESHIP
It is interesting to note how Luke writes about followers of Jesus. In Acts 2:41, he writes, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Then a few verses later, in Acts 2:44, Luke calls these people “…believers”.
Luke continues to reference these followers of Jesus. Look up the following verses and determine what they are called:
Acts 4:32
Acts 5:12
Acts 6:1
Q: Why do you think Luke makes this change? What do you suppose is the difference between a “believer” and a “disciple”?
