Acts 3-6

Peter and John were going up to the temple at three in the afternoon. It shows that they went to the temple daily and taught and prayed with the people of God. They refer to them as brothers even though the Jewish leaders had crucified their Lord. They did not blame them as they understood that was part of God's plan. God really does know what He is doing, even when are not aware. He is still at work today. We see the crippled beggar healed and jumping with joy and praising God. We see God using this act to actually show his power in a few ways. He healed the lame, then He gave Peter and John words to answer the charges against them, delivered them from jail and established their faith as they they saw the room shaken 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (NIV) The religious leaders did not really know what to do with them.

Then we see the believers being of one heart and one mind, sharing all that the Lord had provided. We see there were no needy persons among them. Then we see where they named Joseph Barnabas which means the son of encouragement.

God worked in many ways in the early church. Then we experience Ananias and Sapphira trying to fool God and get recognition for giving their property to the Lord. He will always convict us of our sin. He sat an example as they plotted to deceive the New Church. We then see the apostles arrested and God released them and the Holy Spirit told them to teach in the the temple courts. I love this passage from chapter 5:29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

The church had grown tremendously and we see the early organization in the form of deacons. The Grecian Jews were complaining because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. They instituted the office of deacon. It is an office of service. Then we see the first deacon suffer persecution for His faith. We then see the Jews producing false witnesses to substantiate their actions against what God was doing through Stephen. Acts 6:15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. When God uses us, His spirit shines on all who are there.