Do We Really Want the Book of Acts?
Longing for Power Without the Price
As I began reading Acts 8 again, a sobering thought struck me: We say we want the Book of Acts, but do we really?
We long for revival. We talk about miracles. We preach about boldness and breakthrough and signs and wonders. And yet, we often gloss over the cost, the resistance, the persecution, and the shaking that surrounded the early church's power and purpose.
By Acts 8, the church is on the move, but not because of a conference, a growth strategy, or a new church plant. No, the church is scattering because persecution is intensifying.
“But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”
Acts 8:3 ESV
The chapter before, Stephen is stoned. Peter and John had already been arrested. The apostles had been threatened. Believers are fleeing Jerusalem, and not because of convenience, or because of the Great Commission but because of the oppression…following Jesus had become dangerous.
And yet... the Kingdom was advancing.
The Glitz Without the Grit?
Somehow, we’ve made the Book of Acts into a highlight reel of power encounters and supernatural moments, forgetting that each moment of Kingdom power was surrounded by discomfort, danger, and deep personal sacrifice.
We want the upper room, but not the fire of trial.
We want the miracles, but not the moments of opposition.
We want the signs and wonders, but not the suffering.
Do we truly want the Book of Acts… or just the glitz without the grit?
“And asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way... he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
Acts 9:2 ESV
That’s what believers faced. That’s what they walked into with eyes wide open. And that’s what we must remember.
Kingdom Power Doesn’t Mean a Comfortable Life
The Kingdom of God is full of abundance, power, and unshakable reality, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be shaken.
Shaking does not disprove the Kingdom.
Shaking is what the Kingdom shakes off.
We need to be people who press in not only for the full manifestation of Kingdom power, but also for the full measure of perseverance and endurance that the Spirit gives.
The power of the early church wasn’t just in what they did, it was in what they endured, how they stood, and how they kept preaching, kept healing, kept praying even when it would’ve been easier to disappear.
Don't Be Surprised
Peter would later write:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…”
1 Peter 4:12 ESV
And yet, here we are often surprised when things get hard, when obedience costs us, when culture resists truth, or when following Jesus feels uncomfortable.
But the early church knew. And if we want to walk in the fullness of what they experienced, we must carry the same resilient, unshaken spirit.
So yes, let’s believe for revival.
Let’s contend for Kingdom outpouring.
Let’s pray for the Spirit to be poured out on all flesh.
But let’s not be surprised when shaking comes.
Because in the shaking, the Kingdom cannot be shaken.
And that’s when the world sees what’s real.
As I began reading Acts 8 again, a sobering thought struck me: We say we want the Book of Acts, but do we really?
We long for revival. We talk about miracles. We preach about boldness and breakthrough and signs and wonders. And yet, we often gloss over the cost, the resistance, the persecution, and the shaking that surrounded the early church's power and purpose.
By Acts 8, the church is on the move, but not because of a conference, a growth strategy, or a new church plant. No, the church is scattering because persecution is intensifying.
“But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”
Acts 8:3 ESV
The chapter before, Stephen is stoned. Peter and John had already been arrested. The apostles had been threatened. Believers are fleeing Jerusalem, and not because of convenience, or because of the Great Commission but because of the oppression…following Jesus had become dangerous.
And yet... the Kingdom was advancing.
The Glitz Without the Grit?
Somehow, we’ve made the Book of Acts into a highlight reel of power encounters and supernatural moments, forgetting that each moment of Kingdom power was surrounded by discomfort, danger, and deep personal sacrifice.
We want the upper room, but not the fire of trial.
We want the miracles, but not the moments of opposition.
We want the signs and wonders, but not the suffering.
Do we truly want the Book of Acts… or just the glitz without the grit?
“And asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way... he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
Acts 9:2 ESV
That’s what believers faced. That’s what they walked into with eyes wide open. And that’s what we must remember.
Kingdom Power Doesn’t Mean a Comfortable Life
The Kingdom of God is full of abundance, power, and unshakable reality, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be shaken.
Shaking does not disprove the Kingdom.
Shaking is what the Kingdom shakes off.
We need to be people who press in not only for the full manifestation of Kingdom power, but also for the full measure of perseverance and endurance that the Spirit gives.
The power of the early church wasn’t just in what they did, it was in what they endured, how they stood, and how they kept preaching, kept healing, kept praying even when it would’ve been easier to disappear.
Don't Be Surprised
Peter would later write:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…”
1 Peter 4:12 ESV
And yet, here we are often surprised when things get hard, when obedience costs us, when culture resists truth, or when following Jesus feels uncomfortable.
But the early church knew. And if we want to walk in the fullness of what they experienced, we must carry the same resilient, unshaken spirit.
So yes, let’s believe for revival.
Let’s contend for Kingdom outpouring.
Let’s pray for the Spirit to be poured out on all flesh.
But let’s not be surprised when shaking comes.
Because in the shaking, the Kingdom cannot be shaken.
And that’s when the world sees what’s real.
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4 Comments
The more I read the Bible, the better of the understanding of what we have to do as followers of Jesus. Advancing the Kingdom of God.
The only way to know is test yourself in small things. Watch it grow into bigger sacrifices of love that often hurt our desire to stay comfortable. Test your own motives by PRACTICING one situation at a time, right? There’s always a cost, even the random acts of kindness.The question is, “will I follow through till this God-assignment is complete?”. Constantly check in with Holy Spirit, and ask Him to reveal your heart to you.Thank him for showing you! “There will be plenty of opportunities ahead and there’s no condemnation in Him- God delights in every baby step we take in his love walk.
n
nGotQuestions.org - What does it mean to “count the cost” (Luke 14:28)?
nhttps://www.gotquestions.org/count-the-cost.html
Thank you! This article made me reflect how we can be refined through trials.
“We want the upper room, but not the fire of trial.
nWe want the miracles, but not the moments of opposition.
nWe want the signs and wonders, but not the suffering.”
n
nSelah!!! Yes, Lord, give that same resilient and unshaken spirit as we enter into this new season.