Why is the early part of Acts not the start of the Church?
The early chapters of Acts are not the start of the Church because they contain no Church language—no bishops, deacons, pastors, or instructions for God's house. Instead, they are an extension of Judaism: Temple worship, prayer at the ninth hour, and healings done in the power of the Messiah, continuing what Christ had done. Church government comes from Paul.
Les explains that throughout the early chapters of Acts, there is no Church language—no mention of bishops, deacons, or pastors, and no instruction on how to behave in the house of God. The concepts of local church government come from Paul, who describes the office of deacon, the requirements for a pastor, and what it takes to be an elder and a deacon. In early Acts, none of that appears. Instead, Les says it is just an extension of Judaism, characterized by Temple, worship, prayer at the ninth hour, and healing the lame man. This healing is not on the power of resurrection but on the power of the Messiah—the Christ, the Lord Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. Peter heals the lame man in Acts 3:6 in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, continuing what Christ had been doing for three years. Les connects this to Acts 1:8, where Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come and give power to do what He had been doing, and the Spirit would not come until He left. So early Acts is a continuation of Christ's ministry through the Twelve, not the beginning of the Church.