Faith & Reason Nexus

1. Coming of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2
   • The Holy Spirit is poured out on the believers on the Day of Pentecost, empowering them for ministry and marking the beginning of the Church.
2. 1st Trouble in the Church – Acts 5
   • Ananias and Sapphira lie about their offering, leading to their sudden deaths as a consequence of their deceit.
3. 1st Christian Martyr – Acts 7
   • Stephen is stoned to death for his bold proclamation of the Gospel, becoming the first martyr of the early Church.
4. Establishment of the Church – Acts 2
   • The Church is officially established on Pentecost when about 3,000 people are added to the believers’ number after Peter’s sermon.
5. 1st Gentile Convert – Acts 10-11
   • Cornelius, a Roman centurion, becomes the first Gentile to convert to Christianity, marking the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
6. 1st Gospel Sermon Preached – Acts 2
   • Peter delivers the first Christian sermon on the Day of Pentecost, calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
7. 1st Gentile Congregation – Acts 11
   • The Gentiles in Antioch form the first Gentile Christian congregation, demonstrating the spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities.
8. 1st Baptism in the Name of Christ – Acts 2
   • Peter calls for repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, marking the first baptism in the early Church.
9. 1st Missionary Journey – Acts 13
   • Paul and Barnabas set out on the first missionary journey, spreading the Gospel to various regions, including Cyprus and parts of Asia Minor.
10. 1st Members of the Church – Acts 6
    • The first seven deacons are appointed to serve and care for the widows, marking the early organization of the Church.
11. 1st Worship in the New Testament Church – Acts 2:42
    • The believers devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, establishing the pattern for Christian worship.
12. 1st Congregation in Europe – Acts 16
    • The first European congregation is established in Philippi after Paul’s ministry there, with the conversion of Lydia and the jailer.
13. 1st Mention of Children in Association with the Church – Acts 21:5
    • Paul’s companions, including children, accompany him as he departs from a community, showing the involvement of families in the early Church.
14. 1st Deacons Selected – Acts 6
    • The first deacons are chosen to assist with the distribution of food and service to widows, ensuring the fair treatment of the believers.

These “firsts” in Acts highlight key moments in the early growth and expansion of the Christian Church.