BIRTHING THE CHURCH

Read: Acts: 2:1-13; 37-47

On November 19, 1997, Kenneth and Bobbi McCaughey of Carlisle, Iowa, became the proud parents of the worlds’ only surviving set of septuplets: Kenneth, Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Brandon, Nathaniel, and Joel.

Having seven children at one time would be difficult enough, but can you imagine experiencing three thousand new births?

What an adventure! That’s what happened on the day of Pentecost. A large gathering of people witnessed the incredible, supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and heard the life-changing Gospel message practiced by Peter and the other Apostles. As a result, over three thousand new believers came into the Christian faith that day. The Significance of Pentecost. In Greek, the word Pentecost literally means “fiftieth.” Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks, was a festival that the Jewish people celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. During this time, God’s people expressed their thanksgiving to Him for the harvest.

Chapter 2 of the book of

Acts begins on this day of Pentecost, with the Apostles and a group of believers gathered in the Upper Room.

Luke wrote in verse 1, “They were all together in one place.” According to verse 15, about 120 people were gathered there for this annual celebration.

The early church had no building, no pastor. No denominations, and no constitution. But they were united with common purposes: loving and serving the Lord Jesus Christ and caring for each other.

The Sending of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1-13, Luke recorded an extraordinary scene. The Holy of Spirit swept through the Upper Room with the sound of a powerful wind, alighting on each person with tongues of flame (vv. 1-4). Talk about an adventure! Those who received the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room that day experienced three remarkable occurrences: they heard something, they saw something and they said something.

They Heard Something. The sound of the Spirit being sent from Heaven to earth filled their ears as God performed a new and extraordinary thing. (v. 2) Their lives would never be the same again!

They Saw Something. They also saw “tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them” (v.3). They experienced the power of God as the Holy Spirit manifested Himself in the forms of wind and fire. Though believers no longer experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in the form of these elements, He is just as powerful and evident in our spiritual lives today as he was at the time of Pentecost.

They Said Something. They began to speak, proclaiming the Gospel and the mighty works of God. Verse 4 reads, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” God called them to action!

In the same way, His Spirit empowers us to proclaim the Gospel to those around us. Are you sharing the love of God with others through your words and actions?

The Working of the Holy Spirit. Let’s read on to see what happened next (vv. 5-6): As the Apostles and other believers preached the Gospel, a large crowd gathered around. And, incredibly, each person heard the Apostles speaking in his or her own language (vv. 7 -13): what an extraordinary experience! Each member of this crowd–Jews, Greeks, Medes, Egyptians – could hear the Gospel being spoken in his or her own language.

The Response of the Crowd. A few members of the crowd scoffed at all the hubbub, suggesting that the Apostles were drunk (v. 13). But most of the people recognized what an astonishing supernatural event they were witnessing. Their hearts stirred within them, and they knew they had to respond (vv. 37 -40). After they had heard the Gospel, what was the next step for these men whose hearts had been “pierced” by the Holy Spirit (v. 41)?

Three thousand new “babies” had been born into God’s family, and they wanted everyone around them to know about their new found commitment. So they publicly proclaimed their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism. They made this their first step of obedience to

Christ. The Priorities of the Church. After being baptized, the first great task for these new members of the body of Christ was learning how to worship and fellowship together in a unified way. And they excelled at it (vv. 42-43). Verse 42 identifies four of the primary purposes of the early church: teaching, fellowshipping, breaking of bread and prayer.

Teaching. We can’t stay strong without this spiritual sustenance. If there’s no teaching, we’re simply having a picnic, a potluck, or a party. Without solid instruction, we’re a fellowship gathering, not a church!

Fellowship. The early believers blended their lives together with a sense of closeness, oneness, and harmony. Like them, we fellowship by sharing words of encouragement. We minister to others by offering our money and resources to those in need. We hold each other accountable by bringing reproofs and giving warnings when necessary. We offer confessions and admit our needs as we share in the joys, griefs, and common life experiences of others. Remember, we can’t have teaching without fellowship. If we do, we’re a school, not a church!

Breaking of Bread. Without the Lord’s Table and without baptism, we lose important reminders of Christ’s sacrifice. Without worship, communion, and baptism, we’re a secular gathering, not a spiritual one.

Prayer. Prayer stands as a vital element of the church. It ushers us into God’s awesome presence and serves as our stabilizing force, humbling us and reminding us of our position before God. Prayer offers us a relationship like no other – the opportunity to not only speak with, but to listen to the Almighty God. It’s the means by which we express our love and thankfulness to Him.

As you continue to study the birth of the church and learn to follow the example of the first Christians, you can become for your church a model of dynamic and authentic faith.

Rev. Dr. Archie L. Edwards, Sr., is an Associate Minister at Second Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk.

CHESAPEAKE BRANCH NAACP FREEDOM FUND RESCHEDULED, NOV. 4

The Chesapeake Branch NAACP Freedom Fund has been rescheduled for 11:00am Saturday, November 4, 2023 at New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 1765 S. Military Highway, Chesapeake, VA 23320. Previously purchased tickets are still valid and tickets can still be purchased by contacting Dr. Shirley Auguste at (757) 404-2180.

The 2023 Theme is

“Remembering Our Lineage And Supporting Our Legacy.”

During the event The Freedom Fund Honoree Award will be given to residents in the city of Chesapeake that have supported the NAACP values, mission, and vision and made a significant contribution to Chesapeake and willing to support equality and justice for all.

Those receiving awards are

Sen. Lionell Spruill, Mayor Rick West, LaValette Boney, Del. Cliff Hayes, Jr., Brenda Andrews, March Cromuel (posthumous), Helena L. Dodson Alan P. Krasnoff, Bishop Kim Brown, Dr. Rebecca Adams, and Dr. Jared Cotton. The ticket is $50 which covers your lunch voucher and designates $30 to be used by the branch for community activism.

Usher Set To Headline 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Grammy-winning artist

Usher plans to dazzle hundreds of millions of fans as he takes center stage for the highly anticipated 2024 Super Bowl halftime show.

On February 11, 2024, the renowned performance will occur at the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, just outside the famed Las Vegas Strip.

Kim Kardashian surprised Usher with a phone call to announce that he would be headlining at X (previously known as Twitter).

The appearance will mark Usher’s second appearance at the Super Bowl, following his 2011 performance alongside the Black Eyed Peas. Rihanna headlined the event last year and revealed her pregnancy to A$AP Rocky during her unforgettable performance.

“It’s an honor of a lifetime to finally check a Super Bowl performance off my bucket list. I can’t wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they’ve seen from me before,” Usher said in a statement.

He extended his gratitude, saying, “Thank you to the fans and everyone who made this opportunity happen. I’ll see you real soon.”

Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation

Historic Oscar Coming Home To Howard’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts In Honor of Hattie McDaniel

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

Usher company is returning to produce the halftime show for the fifth consecutive year, also commended Usher.

“Usher is the ultimate artist and showman. Ever since his debut at 15, he’s been charting his own unique course. Beyond his flawless singing and exceptional choreography, Usher bares his soul,” Jay-Z stated. He added, “His remarkable journey has propelled him to one of the grandest stages in the world. I can’t wait to see the magic.” The rapper, 53, and Usher, 44, have previously collaborated on tracks including “Hot Tottie,” “Anything,” and “Best Thing.”

Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast live on CBS on February 11, 2024. The iconic halftime show generally draws hundreds of millions of viewers, making it one of the most sought-after platforms in music.

Howard University plans to host a “Hattie’s Come Home” ceremony at its Ira Aldridge Theater in Washington, D.C., on October 1, to honor a longtime wish of classic film star Hattie McDaniel, who, before her passing in 1952, expressed her desire for her Oscar to find a home at Howard University, a revered institution known for nurturing artistic talent within the Black community.

“When I was a student in the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, in what was then called the Department of Drama, I would often sit and gaze in wonder at the Academy Award that had been presented to Ms. Hattie McDaniel, which she had gifted to the College of Fine Arts,” said Phylicia Rashad, dean of the Boseman College of Fine Arts. “I am overjoyed that this Academy Award is returning to what is now the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. This immense piece of history will be back in the College of Fine Arts for our students to draw inspiration from. Ms. Hattie is coming home!”

In 1940, McDaniel achieved a historic milestone as the first Black person to be nominated for and win a competitive

Fun Puzzle For Your Leisure

Academy Award. Her remarkable performance as “Mammy” in the acclaimed film “Gone with the Wind” marked a significant moment in cinematic history and held profound cultural significance for the Black community.

At the 12th Academy Awards, held in the segregated Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel, McDaniel and her guests were segregated from the film’s other nominees. Despite this, her victory stood as a testament to Black artists’ undeniable talent and perseverance in an industry marred by systemic racism.

McDaniel’s groundbreaking achievement was, however, met with a mixed reception. While her win was a triumph for Black actors, it also ignited controversy. McDaniel’s portrayal of “Mammy” in the film was critiqued for perpetuating stereotypes. In response, McDaniel boldly stated, “I’d rather play a maid than be a maid.” Her words encapsulated her commitment to her craft and her determination to navigate an industry that offered limited opportunities for Black performers, often typecasting them into roles that did not reflect the full scope of their abilities.

The significance of McDaniel’s win endures, as it paved the way for future generations of Black actors and filmmakers.

It’s also underscores the importance and excitement surrounding The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy Museum announcement that they will gift a replacement of McDaniel’s 1939 Best Supporting Actress Academy Award to the Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.

Classifieds

Invitation For Bids

INVITATION FOR BIDS BRIDGE ROAD / SHOULDERS HILL ROAD INTERSECTION IFB # 24029-JS

City of Suffolk, VA, will accept bids until 3 p.m., October 26, 2023 from qualified firms for the Bridge Road/Shoulders Hill Road Intersection Improvement project. Sealed Bids are to be delivered to Purchasing Office, Suffolk City Hall, 442 W. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434.

This contract may be funded with federal and state monies and is subject to all related requirements, policies and procedures.

Questions concerning this project and the related documents should be directed to Jay Smigielski, Purchasing Agent, jsmigielski@ suffolkva.us (757) 514-7523