The Acts Church

The Beliefs and Practice of The Acts Church

What were the requirements of the followers of Yeshua?

--Baptism was a requirement of new followers:

Act_2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Act_2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Act_8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Act_8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Act_8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Act_8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Act_9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Act_10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Act_16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Act_16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Act_18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthian’s hearing believed, and were baptized.

Act_19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Act_22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 

--Laying on of Hands to receive the Holy Spirit

Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 

Act 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto you in the way as you came, hath sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 

Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 

This practice is even mentioned in Torah in Deuteronomy: 34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the LORD commanded Moses. 

--Observing the Feasts of GOD (The Feasts of GOD are Holy days and were to be kept by the children of Israel in perpetuity throughout their generations. They are the Appointed Times. Which means they were to be kept at those times in accordance with the command from GOD. It is not for us to decided when to keep them.)

Acts 2:1: On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

Act 20:16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. 

Act 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, (The fast is Yom Kippur)

1Co 11:24-34  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. (The Passover feast was only once a year and celebrated by the followers once a year not every week or every month just yearly. It is therefore kept Holy and at its appointed time.)

1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

--Went to the Temple

Acts 2:46 They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s supper and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.

Acts 3:1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service

Acts 5:12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. All of the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade.

Act_21:26 Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the day when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them. (this also shows that the early followers of Yeshua were still making sacrifices at the temple.)

--Keeping the Sabbath and attending Synagogue

Acts 13:14 But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia. On the Sabbath they went to Synagogue for the services.

Acts 15:21 For the law of Moses has been preached in synagogue in every city on every Sabbath for many generations. (showing that gentiles attend synagogue and learn how to be a child of GOD.)

Making someone into an Apostle:

-Apostles were nominated by the other Apostles. They would then seek guidance from GOD for who whom He chose. Acts Chapter 1:23

-They were also chosen directly by Yeshua to serve him in specific ways. Acts: 9:15

Apostles were previous followers or became followers in Yeshua.

We must pay attention to what was preached as well by the Apostles in order to understand their belief.

Acts 2:17-21 Peter believed they were living in the last days.

Acts 2:22-36 Peter believed that Jesus was the Messiah and preached about his life his death and resurrection.

Acts 2:38-40 Peter taught believers they must repent of their sins and turn to GOD (sin if we remember from my article on Law Obedience is breaking the laws of GOD so turning to GOD means turning towards obedience of GOD and His laws.) Peter says they must be baptized in the name of Jesus in order for their sins to be forgiven and so they can receive the Holy Spirit. (Cornelius was already obeying the laws of GOD which is why he was able to receive the Holy Spirit before being Baptized.) Peter finishes with saying to not be like the rest of the world and to come away from wickedness of the world.

Acts 2:44-47 Believers would regularly meet in one place and shared what they owned. They also sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. All while praising GOD.

Acts 3:12-26  Peter refuses to accept praise or honor for the miracle of healing and boasts instead in GOD and the life of Jesus. Putting the blame on the Saduccees for the death of Jesus. Called Jesus the Author of Life and preached his resurrection. It was their faith in Jesus that granted them the ability to heal the man. Said the prophets foretold of Jesus. Told them to repent of their sins in order for their sins to be wiped away. Preached how and When GOD will send Jesus back. Likened Jesus to be the prophet like Moses that Moses preached about. (we see in Deuteronomy 34 that Joshua cant be that prophet despite Jewish claims because no other prophet spoke with GOD face to Face.) Peter tells the Jews they are included in the covenant GOD promised to their ancestors which was the reason why GOD sent them Jesus first.

Acts 4: We see the Priests and Sadduccees and Temple guards confront Peter and John arresting them and trying to command them. Peter preaches with Boldness about Jesus being the corner stone which the builders rejected. Stated they should Obey GOD rather than them. Refused to stop preaching the Gospel. After release they went to the believers and informed them what happened and this caused the believers to ask GOD to embolden all of them to preach the Gospel. Their prayer was answered.

The believers felt that what they  owned did not belong to them so they shared everything. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of Jesus. There was no one in need among them because they took care of each other.

Acts 5 The Apostles traveled everyday preaching Jesus is the Messiah.