Jon Augusta

A Church On Fire: Lessons from Acts

Jon Augusta,

I’ll never forget the night in 2012 when I found myself on the roof of our youth building at Placerita Baptist Church, fire extinguisher in hand. It was a Wednesday night, and I was locking up when the unmistakable smell of smoke hit me. Anyone who knows me knows I have a keen sense for it. I traced the scent to the modular building’s roof, where I discovered flames licking at the surface. A construction mishap during the day had left a floodlight face down, igniting the roof. A quick scramble, a tossed fire extinguisher, and the fire was out. That night, the church was literally on fire.

It’s a vivid image, and it got me thinking about the kind of “fire” that should truly define a church: the fire of the Holy Spirit, the burning passion for the Gospel. Last week, we explored the vibrant body life of the early church in Acts, its dedication to God’s Word, its fervent fellowship, and its powerful witness to the world. Today, I want to delve deeper into what it means to be “A Church on Fire,” drawing inspiration from the explosive growth of the church in Acts.

Throughout history, forces have tried to extinguish the flame of Christianity. From the persecution Jesus faced to the brutal attacks on believers by ISIS and the dangers faced by Christians in Afghanistan, the world has consistently sought to silence the Gospel. Yet, as we know, no human power can stop God’s movement.

Let’s explore three key characteristics of a church ablaze with God’s Spirit:

A Church on Fire is a Bold Church.

We see this boldness throughout Acts. Consider the incredible numbers:

• Acts 2:41: 3,000 souls repent and are baptized.
• Acts 4:4: Another 1,880 join the believers.
• Acts 6:7: The number of disciples multiplies, and even priests come to faith.
• Acts 9: Saul, the persecutor, becomes Paul, the apostle.
• Acts 9:42: “And many believed in the Lord.”
• Acts 12:24: “But the word of God increased and multiplied.”
• Acts 13:49: “And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.”

The early church was fearless in proclaiming the Gospel. They didn’t shy away from opposition; they embraced it as an opportunity to witness. This boldness stemmed from their absolute conviction in the power of Jesus Christ.

As I’ve been studying Acts, I’ve been deeply convicted. Have I been as bold as I should be in sharing my faith? I believe God is challenging me, and I invite you to join me in this challenge: to step out in faith and share the Good News with the world around us.

Reflection:

• Where do you see boldness in the early church?
• How can we cultivate that same boldness in our lives and in our church today?
• What is holding you back from sharing your faith?