The first time someone stepped into the arena to preach Jesus, he wanted all to understand—this Word of Christ is for everyone! Such a day, which some christen as the birthday of the Church. The wind of the Spirit swept down upon Jesus’ disciples. Atop each person’s head, flames like fire flickered and danced. Astonished, all 120 Christians hurried outside and began to converse in languages unknown. Despite unlearned phrases and foreign syntax, they articulated in actual, understandable speech.
Several weeks earlier, their lead Apostle, Peter, feared for his life. To evade arrest, he lied, cursed, and denounced Jesus, his northern, hill-country accent betraying him. On this day, however, dialects and inflection didn’t matter. With time-creased men and fresh-faced daughters, Peter also spoke anew, to him in tongues before untried.
Now unafraid, he stands and speaks, explaining to his countrymen the developments of the day. From deeds God achieved for him, he now proceeds to proclaim before all. The life Jesus gained for the world will now go forth through others, like Peter, like the flower of spring after a long, dark winter.
Some 30 years earlier, God’s Son, Jesus, entered our world, to do the work His Father sent Him to do. Not as some spirit but in human flesh, He came. After securing our salvation by His death, Jesus rose and ascended back into heaven. The four Gospels all finish this way. The Apostles are in Judea, waiting for the Holy Spirit to appear, with Christianity only existing as a Jewish messianic movement.
Suppose you leap ahead and start reading the Epistles. Soon, you realize they are words to Gentile-filled congregations strewn throughout the Mediterranean basin. Somehow, our Savior’s Church spread from a subset of Jewish people into a widespread geographical movement. How? The only account we can access for this transformation is in Acts.
Written as a sequel to Luke’s Gospel, by the same author, Acts continues its Gospel story. By recounting how Jesus’ followers carried His mission forward, Luke provides the only narrative link between Jesus’ ascension to the spread of His Church beyond its Jewish beginnings. So, this text from Luke’s hand is a priceless, one-of-a-kind treasure, something to cherish and learn!
Without Luke examining these events and reporting them, we would be much the poorer. Though a historical document, Acts is not empty of theology. So, to bereave ourselves of his words is to leave ourselves groping, unsure of how to live, worship, and share the Gospel with others. The open-ended conclusion of Acts also hints of God still being present with His people as they await the fulfillment of all things on the Last Day.
Until the Day of Christ’s return, we will do well to travel the pages of this book. More than mere facts, Luke’s Holy-Spirit inspired text helps us, today, to prosper as God’s people in an ever-increasing hostile world. Come join us in Sunday School to grasp its 1st-century message for your 21st-century life.
