Advancement of the Church in Acts Through the Holy Spirit
The book of Acts consistently portrays the advancement of the early Church as directly empowered by the Holy Spirit, beginning with the promise of the Spirit's coming and continuing through the apostles' ministry. Jesus himself instructed his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the "promise of the Father," which was the baptism with the Holy Spirit, before they would receive power to be his witnesses [6, Acts 1:4-5, 8]. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, marking a pivotal moment for the Church's expansion.
The Holy Spirit's role in the Church's growth is multifaceted. One primary aspect is the Spirit's work in evangelism and conversion. The Spirit enables the clear presentation of truth and the earnest enforcement of the Gospel, leading to conviction and faith [3]. For instance, after Peter's sermon on Pentecost, thousands were added to the Church [Acts 2:41]. The Spirit also "edifies the Church" [4, Acts 9:31], building up believers and the community as a whole. This edification includes communicating joy to saints, imparting the love of God and hope, and teaching believers [1].
The Spirit's power was evident in the signs and wonders performed by the apostles, which served as credentials for the nascent faith and aided the Church's initial expansion [4]. Acts records instances of healing and other miraculous deeds performed "through the name of thy holy servant Jesus" [2, Acts 4:30]. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, similarly speaks of preaching the Gospel "in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit" [3, Romans 15:19]. These demonstrations of divine power confirmed the message and drew attention to the apostles' ministry. However, Augustine notes that while such temporal, sensible miracles were given in former days to credential a rudimentary faith, one should not expect them in the same way today [4].
The Holy Spirit also guided the apostles in their missionary endeavors. The Spirit directed their movements, indicating where they should preach and where they should not [Acts 16:6-10]. This divine guidance ensured that the Gospel reached new regions and peoples, extending "from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum" [3, Romans 15:19]. The Spirit was given to the Gentiles, as seen in the conversion of Cornelius's household, demonstrating that God's salvation was not limited to the Jewish people [11, Acts 10:44-45; 11:17; 15:8].
The concept of the "gift of the Holy Spirit" is central to the Church's advancement. This gift is promised to those who repent and believe [11, Acts 2:38], and it is given by the Father and the Son [11, John 14:16, 26; 15:26]. The Spirit is given for instruction and comfort [11, Nehemiah 9:20; John 14:16], and it is abundant and permanent [11, Psalm 68:9; John 7:38-39]. The Spirit's indwelling enables believers to live in a "higher sphere," becoming more heavenly in character [7].
The early Church faced "many afflictions" as it advanced [1, Acts 14:22], yet the Spirit provided strength and perseverance. The apostles, despite persecution, continued to praise God [13, Acts 2:47] and found joy in their suffering [4, Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6]. The Spirit's presence fostered a community that had "favour with all the people," commending themselves through their "lovely demeanor" [2]. This internal spiritual vitality contributed to the Church's outward growth, as "the Lord... kept adding" to the community of believers [13, Acts 2:47].
The Holy Spirit's work is essential for the Church's existence and mission. As Tertullian argued, those who reject the Scripture of the Acts of the Apostles "can neither belong to the Holy Spirit" [5]. The Spirit is integral to salvation, with the co-operation of the entire Trinity being necessary for one to obtain salvation [6]. The Spirit not only initiates faith but also sustains and empowers believers, enabling them to fulfill God's will and advance His kingdom [14, Philippians 2:13].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holy Spirit, the Comforter, The — Proceeds from the Father -- Joh 15:26. Given By the Father. -- Joh 14:16. By Christ. -- Isa 61:3. Through Christ's intercession. -- Joh 14:16. Sent in the name of Christ -- Joh 14:26. Sent by Christ from the Father -- Joh 15:26; 16:7. As such he Communicates joy to saints. -- Ro 14:17; Ga 5:22; 1Th 1:6. Edifies the Church. -- Ac 9:31. Testifies of Christ. -- Joh 15:26. Imparts the love of God. -- Ro 5:3-5. Imparts hope. -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Teaches saints. -- Joh 14:26. Dwells with, and in saints. -- Joh 14:17. Abides for ever with s”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 2:47: Praising God--"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works" (Ecc 9:7, also see on Act 8:39). having favour with all the people--commending themselves by their lovely demeanor to the admiration of all who observed them. And the Lord--that is, JESUS, as the glorified Head and Ruler of the Church. added--kept adding; that is, to the visible community of believers, though the words "to the Church" are wanting in the most ancient manuscripts. such as should be saved--rather, "the saved," o”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 138: clearness with which the truth was presented, or the earnestness with which it was enforced, but on the attending “demonstration of the Spirit.” ( 1 Cor. ii. 4 .) He gave thanks to God that the Gospel came to the Thessalonians “not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost.” ( 1 Thess. i. 5 .) He prayed that God would fulfil in them “the work of faith with power.” ( 2 Thess. i. 11 .) He reminded the Philippians that it was God who worked in them “both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” ( Phil. ii. 13 .) In Hebrews xiii”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — CHAP. 16.--21. But when it is said that "the Holy Spirit is given by the imposition of hands in the Catholic Church only, I suppose that our ancestors meant that we should understand thereby what the : 443 Church. For the Holy Spirit is not only given by the laying on of hands amid the testimony of temporal sensible miracles, as He was given in former days to be the credentials of a rudimentary faith, and for the extension of the first beginnings of the Church. For who expects in these days that those on whom hands are laid that they ma”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XXII.--ATTEMPT TO INVALIDATE THIS RULE OF FAITH REBUTTED. THE APOSTLES SAFE TRANSMITTERS OF THE TRUTH. SUFFICIENTLY TAUGHT AT FIRST, AND FAITHFUL IN THE TRANSMISSION. (part 2): will lead you into all truth."(18) He (thus) shows that there was nothing of which they were ignorant, to whom He had promised the future attainment of all truth by help of the Spirit of truth. And assuredly He fulfilled His promise, since it is proved in the Acts of the Apostles that the Holy Ghost did come down. Now they who reject that Scripture(19) can neither belong to the Holy Spirit,”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. III.--ON THE HOLY SPIRIT. (part 5): what is the reason why he who is regenerated by God unto salvation has to do both with Father and Son and Holy Spirit, and does not obtain salvation unless with the co-operation of the entire Trinity; and why it is impossible to become partaker of the Father or the Son without the Holy Spirit. And in discussing these subjects, it will undoubtedly be necessary to describe the special working of the Holy Spirit, and of the Father and the Son. I am of opinion, then, that the working of the Fath”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 32: the opened eye of the believer is able to discern. The Spirit enables him to see the glory of God as revealed in his works and in his word; the holiness 230 and spirituality of the law; the exceeding sinfulness of sin; his own guilt, pollution, and helplessness; the length and breadth, the height and depth of the economy of redemption; and the reality glory, and infinite importance of the things unseen and eternal. The soul is thus raised above the world. It lives in a higher sphere. It becomes more and more heavenly in its character and ”