JesusWalk® Publications

The Early Church: Acts 1-12
Discipleship Lessons from the Holy Spirit
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

 

The Early Church: Acts 1-12, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Book front cover | back cover

For sheer action, the first twelve chapters of the Acts of the Apostles rival any other book of the Bible. Indeed, the Book of Acts is foundational for serious disciples, for it lays out the patterns that lead to vital congregations and enthusiastic evangelism. We also meet powerful men and women who inspire us -- Peter, Stephen, Philip, Dorcas, and Saul of Tarsus.

Seven themes weave in and out during these early chapters of Acts.

  1. The role of the Holy Spirit in the new church -- baptism, fillings, outpourings, anointing, tongues, and prophecy.
  2. The characteristics of the early church reveal the character and values that underlie this new body -- unity, fellowship, teaching, breaking of bread, prayers, boldness to witness, and evangelism.
  3. The church's early preaching of Messiah Jesus provide the basis for our own understanding of Christ's death and resurrection.
  4. God preplanned Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. There's a clear hint of predestination sprinkled throughout.
  5. Evangelistic breakthroughs occur with signs and wonders combined with powerful preaching.
  6. God's heart for all peoples -- Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, and unreached people groups throughout the world.
  7. Persecution and bold witness before enemies is a recurring theme.
Together with the author's Apostle Paul: Passionate Discipleship (JesusWalk Publications, 2019), the present volume completes a study of the entire Book of Acts. Your faith will grow as you study what some call the "Acts of the Holy Spirit." And if you're a teacher, small group leader, or preacher, you'll find lots of material to share with your people.

The Early Church: Acts 1-12 (200 pages)

  1. The Promise of Power (Acts 1)
  2. The Holy Spirit Comes (Acts 2)
  3. Powerful Healing, Bold Testimony (Acts 3:1-4:22)
  4. Power and Fellowship in Jerusalem (Acts 4:23-5:42)
  5. Stephen's Ministry and Martyrdom (Acts 6-7)
  6. Philip Evangelizes Samaria and Baptizes an Ethiopian (Acts 8)
  7. Saul's Conversion, Peter's Ministry (Acts 9)
  8. The Spirit Falls on the Gentiles (Acts 10:1-11:18)
  9. Revival in Antioch, Persecution in Jerusalem (Acts 11:19-12:25)
  • Appendix 1. Participant Handouts
  • Appendix 2. Chronology of of the Early Church (Acts 1-12)
  • Appendix 3. Were the Early Christians Communists or Socialists?

Detailed Table of Contents
Participant Lesson Handouts (PDF, you may reprint free for each class member)

This study is available in book format (below) or at no cost delivered via e-mail over an eleven-week period.

  The Early Church: Acts 1-12, by Dr. Ralph F. WilsonPaperback format, US $15.95 Length 200 pages. Must be ordered through Amazon.com. The paperback size is 7.5 in  x 9.25 in.  ISBN: 978-0-9962025-9-6. Available now.

Kindle e-book formatKindle E-book format, US $8.95. You may purchase this version directly from Amazon USA  or from national sites below. This is read using a your Kindle or a Kindle Reader program installed on your computer, tablet, or phone. It cannot be printed out (Amazon ASIN: B09FFSYTJL). Amazon USA - Canada - UK - Germany - France - Japan - Mexico - Spain -  Italy -  Netherlands - Brazil - India - Australia 
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PDF E-book format, $8.95. 200 pages. You purchase this PDF e-books and can download it within minutes. You can read it on your computer in PDF format if you like, or print out a single copy on your printer, either 8-1/2 x 11" or A4 paper. To make multiple copies, get reprint licenses below. No tax is charged on e-books. PDF e-books are ordered directly from the author at JesusWalk Publications. (Remember: If you plan to print this out, your total cost will be the $8.95 for the PDF plus the cost of printing -- paper, ink, toner, etc. In some cases the paperback might be a better value.)
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Reprint license to make copiesReprint License, $2.50 per copy. This allows you to print additional copies for your own group. Once you've ordered this item, set quantity field for the number of reprints you plan to make and click on "recalculate." One license is required for each additional copy you make beyond the initial book you purchased. This reprint license prohibits sale of the book to individuals outside your local area or congregation. You'll probably want to order a single copy of the e-book also, so you'll have the text from which to reprint. So if you have a group of 6 people, you'll need to order one e-book (for the first reprint) and 5 reprint licenses.

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Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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