Kingdom People
The book of Acts records a powerful moment in history when the followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26b). This name was not merely a label; it was an identity rooted in their devotion to Christ as Lord and King. To be called a Christian was to be recognized as a disciple, a servant fully committed to the mission and character of Jesus. Being a disciple is not an elite status but the very essence of what it means to follow Christ. The word refers to an “apprentice,” someone under the tutelage of a master so that the skills and character of that master are formed in the student-servant. This identity shapes our posture toward society, relationships, and mission.
The Holy Spirit has come to unite us to Jesus and transform us to be like Jesus so that we might do the deeds of Jesus.
Acts as God’s Forever Word
The book of Acts is not just an account of what happened in the early church; it is God’s living Word, part of the New Covenant, and a blueprint for how we live and serve today. It functions as a canon—a tuning instrument by which everything else is measured. Acts reveals the power of the Holy Spirit, not as an optional addition to faith, but as standard equipment for every believer. The early church depended on prayer, faced persecution with perseverance, and handled conflicts with godly wisdom. These are not just historical narratives; they tune our hearts to God’s mission and methods today.
To understand what it means to be Kingdom People, let’s examine four ancient episodes from Acts that reveal authentic faith.
1. Sacrificial Generosity (Acts 11:27-30)
One of the first marks of the Spirit’s work in a person is generosity. The believers in Antioch demonstrated this when a famine was prophesied. They responded not with fear but with sacrificial giving. They provided financial support to their struggling brothers and sisters, embodying the riches of God’s grace.
Generosity is not just for the wealthy; it is the overflow of a heart captured by the gospel. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8-9, even the poor can give generously because generosity is a spiritual posture, not a bank balance. It extends beyond finances to forgiveness, mercy, and kindness. At its core, generosity is love in action, reflecting the nature of God who gave His Son for us.
The church today is called to this same radical generosity. When the gospel grips us, we give because we understand that everything we have is a gift from God. How might we join in this story of generosity? By opening our hearts, hands, and resources to meet the needs around us, trusting that God’s provision never runs dry.
2. Supernatural Expectations (Acts 12:5-17)
Acts also teaches us to expect the supernatural. When Peter was imprisoned, the church prayed earnestly. But even when their prayers were answered, they were shocked. When Rhoda, the servant girl, announced that Peter was at the door, they dismissed her, thinking it must be his angel. This comical yet profound moment reveals the tension between our prayers and our expectations.
Too often, we pray without truly believing that God will act. Yet the early church, despite their disbelief, continued to pray. Their story encourages us to pray with faith, anticipating divine interventions. Miracles are not relics of the past; they are the reality of a God who is still active today. We should not be surprised when God answers in unexpected ways.
Are we praying with supernatural expectations? Do we believe that God still heals, delivers, and intervenes in our lives? Let’s challenge ourselves to pray with bold faith, trusting that our God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
3. Supplication Focus (Acts 12:24-13:3)
A vibrant prayer life is more than just asking God for things—it is ministering to the Lord. In Acts 13, the church in Antioch was worshiping and fasting when the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to mission. This moment highlights an important truth: worship and prayer lead to mission.
Revelation 8:4 describes the prayers of the saints as incense rising before God. When prayer goes up, God’s power comes down. Worship is not just a warm-up act before a sermon; it is a sacred act of priestly intercession. Many Christians miss out on their priestly privilege of worship, seeing it as optional rather than essential. Yet worship aligns our hearts with God’s purposes, enabling us to hear His voice and follow His direction.
Do we approach worship and prayer with the reverence they deserve? Are we listening for God’s guidance as we pray? The early church’s example calls us to cultivate a deeper intimacy with God through prayer, knowing that from this place of supplication, mission is birthed.
4. Sending in the Spirit (Acts 13:4-5)
Mission is not just a church program; it is a divine calling. In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were not only sent by the church but by the Holy Spirit. This twin-sending is crucial. The church affirms and commissions, but it is the Spirit who empowers and directs.
Every Sunday, when we receive a benediction, we are being sent into the world. It is more than a closing prayer; it is a commissioning. We leave the gathering not just as individuals but as apostolic people, ambassadors of Christ, carrying His presence into every sphere of life.
Do we recognize our daily lives as mission fields? Whether in our workplaces, schools, or homes, we are sent by God to embody His love, truth, and power. The Holy Spirit equips us, and the church supports us, but the mission field is wherever God has placed us.
The Ultimate Example: Jesus Christ
At the heart of all these themes—generosity, supernatural faith, prayer, and mission—is Jesus Himself. He is the perfectly generous one, who gave His life for us. He walked in supernatural power, healing the sick and raising the dead. He lived in constant communion with the Father, modeling a life of prayer and worship. And He was sent by the Spirit, proclaiming the good news and calling us to follow Him.
Jesus came preaching, teaching, healing, and liberating. He gathers a people—His Bride—preparing us for glory. As His disciples, we are called to reflect His character and continue His mission. The world recognized the early believers as Christians because they resembled Christ. May we live in such a way that our identity as Kingdom People is unmistakable.
Conclusion
Being a disciple is not an option; it is the essence of Christianity. As we look at the early church, we see a community marked by sacrificial generosity, supernatural expectations, fervent prayer, and Spirit-led mission. These are not just ancient stories but living realities for us today.
Let’s embrace our calling as Kingdom People, firmly tuning our hearts to God’s mission. May our lives be characterized by radical generosity, unwavering faith, devoted prayer, and a readiness to be sent by the Spirit. In doing so, we continue the story of Acts, carrying the gospel forward until Christ returns.