Conquering the World

The first several chapters of Acts are similar to the first few chapters of Joshua. There are parallels and there are contrasts. God's people in Joshua conquered the land using an iron sword, and in Acts God's people conquer the land using the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

As the book of Joshua opens, Moses has died and God addresses Joshua to take over the mission. Joshua receives commands, particularly that he is to remember and do all the commandments of the LORD, and that he is to be strong and courageous (power). The people cross over the Jordan (a baptism), and then conquer the decisive city, Jericho.

The book of Acts opens with Jesus having died, been resurrected, and then ascends to heaven. Prior to His ascension He gives commands to His disciples, and instructs them about the power they are going to receive through the Holy Spirit. The disciples are baptized with the Holy Spirit and then conquer the decisive city, Jerusalem.

Other similarities include;

Some people steal from God and are killed.

There are further victories.

There is a problem with some Gentiles and it is resolved. (Gibeonites and Hellenistic Jews).

The Gentiles are attacked and have to be defended.

The land is completely conquered.

Regarding further victories, here are several references and brief summaries in the book of Acts.

2:41; three thousand souls added

47; LORD added to the church daily

4:4; many of those who heard the word believed; number came to be 5000.

5:14; Believers were increasingly added to the LORD, multitudes of both men and women.

6:1; the number of disciples was multiplying

7; the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8:6; multitudes [in Samaria] heeded things spoken by Philip.

13; Simon believed

37; Ethiopian eunuch believes and is baptized.

9:6; Saul is converted

31; churches throughout Judea, Galilee, Samaria ... were multiplied.

35; all who dwelt in Lydda and Sharon turned to the LORD.

42; many believed on the LORD.

10:44; the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.

11:21; a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

24; a great many people were added to the Lord.

26; taught a great many people

12:24; the word of God grew and multiplied.

13:12; the proconsul believed, being astonished at the teaching of the LORD.

42-44; almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

48; as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

49; the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

14:1; a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks believed.

16:5; churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

14; Lydia converted

31, 32; Philippian jailer saved.

17:3, 4; some of them were persuaded, a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women.

12; many of them believed.

34; Dionysius, Damaris, and others believe.

18:4; persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

8; Crispus, the ruler of the synogogue, believed, and many Corinthians believed and were baptized.

19:5; Ephesus believers baptized with Holy Spirit.

18-20; many believed... the word of God grew mightily and prevailed.

21:20; "You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law."

DR