Category Archives: book of Acts

A.D. — The Fire of First Christianity

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

NBC has a new miniseries called A.D. The Bible Continues.  It is based on the first 10 chapters of the book of Acts; the story of the first Christ-followers and their faith, passion, and sacrifice. I saw the first episode … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts of the Apostles, book of Acts, early Christianity, early church, entertainment, first Christians, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, TV | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Origin of Obligatory Oratory in Church Meetings (Let’s Get Back To The Future)

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Steve Simms

In the new church, ordinary people (not the Apostles) spoke about Jesus wherever they went. “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Aristotle, book of Acts, Cicero, Edwin Hatch, ekklesia, participatory church, public speaking, rhetoric, Spirit-led | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Church: Do minds wander or are people filled with awestruck wonder?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Steve Simms

When a church meeting is allowed to freely flow in the unforced rhythm of the Spirit — amazing things happen! When we call the shots — not so much. –Perhaps instead of making people’s minds wander, church should fill them … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st Century church, Alvin L. Reid, amazement, book of Acts, early church, everyone was filled with awe, formal religion, Malcolm McDow, Nashville, Quotes, rhythm of the Spirit, TN, wander-lust, who calls the shots | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Je suis un Salutiste! (I am a Salvationist!)

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Steve Simms

Je suis un Salutiste! (I am a Salvationist!) A terrorist wants to fill people with fear, anxiety, and intimidation. A Salvationist wants to set people free from fear, anxiety, and intimidation. (Salvationist — 1) a person who preaches salvation, deliverance … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts 17:6, book of Acts, freedom, religion, sin, The Salvation Arm7, What do you call a member of The Salvation Army? | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ceremonies or Testimonies? The Historic Jesus or The Living, Resurrected Jesus?

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Steve Simms

Ceremonies or testimonies? What if church moved beyond scripted ceremonies about the historic Jesus and began to include spontaneous testimonies about the living Jesus? Perhaps a fresh anointing is somehow tied to the freedom of God’s people to flow spontaneously … Continue reading →

Posted in book of Acts, First Century Church, flowing in the Spirit, Mitch Cervinka, New Testament church, organic church, personal testimonies, priesthood of the believer, Quotes, William J. McRae | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Some Keys To Releasing God’s Power (From Acts Chapter Two)

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Steve Simms

Here are some keys to releasing God’s power from Acts 2: 1) Going along with God’s plan to use all believers, not just special ones like the apostles.  At the end of Acts 1, the believers pick one disciple to … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts of the Apostles, Bible, Bible quotes, Bible study, biblical Christianity, Biblical principles, book of Acts, captured by the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit flow, Holy Spirit promptings, Holy Spirit take over, keys to power, presence of God, speaking in tongues, speaking out, speaking up, tongues, tongues of fire, witness, witness of the Spirit, witnesses, witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Participatory Pentecost

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Steve Simms

The first Pentecost was participatory as the power and presence of the Holy Spirit fell on all the people present in the place and they all spoke up and praised God as prompted by the Spirit. Pentecost was not a … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts 2, Bible, Bible quotes, biblical Christianity, book of Acts, founder, General William Booth, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, organic church, pentecostal experience, pentecostals, people of faith, people of God, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, Send the fire, simple church, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, Spirit-led interaction, Spirit-prompted, tongues, tongues of fire, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments