Sample of "Faith is Active"

I had been working on a devotional for the past couple of years, which slowed down a lot last year. I really have wanted to start working on it again, but wanted to see what people think of it. So I wanted to offer it up on my blog. Feel free to comment below. But if you like it, please click the like button.

The Book of Acts

(“Let’s Start from the very beginning”)

[Read Acts 1:1-8]

My Mom is actually the Acts expert, or maybe an early Church expert, or maybe just a Church History expert. She’s a Church History teacher for Upper Primary and Middle School. She started to teach me and my class when we were in Grade five. I was one of those kids who would, when the other kids said “Good morning, Mrs Vivian!” say “Good morning, Mom!” (Ah, the awkwardness of being ten!). She taught me from that point on until Grade Eight and it was in Grade Eight where we started a more Bible study course with the book of Acts. It seems fairly strange to me to be writing a book, when my Mother is, in fact, the knowledgeable one about the topic.

A few years on, it’s obvious that I have forgotten a lot of things. So let’s meet the Book of Acts?

1. Author: Luke (You might know him from the Book of Luke)

Yes indeed, the Author is Luke. And let’s clarify, Luke is not one of the disciples. In actual fact, his title is Dr. Luke and he was actually a disciple of Paul, who was a ravager and persecutor of the early Church (don’t worry, he stopped after Jesus shined an incredibly bright light in his face and blinded him). Luke is, in fact, a very credible witness to these things. At some point in the text, you might know he journeys with Paul - and Paul’s journeys compose half of the book. Being a doctor, his detail proves he is intellectual. It is even assumed that during one of the many times Paul was in prison, Luke was actually residing in Palestine, gathering information from eyewitnesses about Christ’s death and other Jewish events. He was even able to learn more about the Lord Jesus, perhaps from the elderly Virgin Mary herself. Also, did I mention he was a doctor?

1. Genre: A Letter

The book of Acts is also in letter form and is a sequel to the gospel of Luke. Luke ends with Christ’s ascension to Heaven. It seems fairly important to Luke, then, to continue in a somewhat historical manner, to present the events after his ascension.

1. Addressed to: Theophilus

Theophilus was actually previously referenced in Luke 1:1-4. Interestingly enough, the real identity of this Theophilus is not entirely known. Some consider it to be a Roman official that Luke was writing to, perhaps a newly converted one. Others say it might be a pseudonym. Some have even come to say that it might even be referencing all believers, though the general consensus is that it was an individual. Theophilus, in its Greek origins, means “Loved by God” or “Loves God”, which does describe all believers, but let’s just make the probable assumption that this was an actual person.

1. What it does: Speaks of Christ’s work in, but mainly through, the church after his ascension to Heaven.

The book of Acts is a historical reference, a re-telling of the events occuring after Jesus’ ascension. As I said, it is a sequel to the book of Luke. Luke 1:1-4 actually seems to preface both the book of Acts quite nicely:

• (1:1) Historical Events

• (1:2) Historical Events, delivered by eyewitnesses

• (1:3) Historical events, delivered by eyewitnesses, which were investigated and confirmed by Luke

• (1:3) Historical events, delivered by eyewitnesses, which were investigated and confirmed by Luke, and recorded chronologically

• (1:4) (1:3) Historical events, delivered by eyewitnesses, which were investigated and confirmed by Luke and recorded chronologically, so that, through many processes, we can be sure of what we hear

And that, dear friends, not only sums up the book of Acts, but gives us full assurance that what we will look at is true. Whether or not my words are correct (and may the Spirit work in my heart to convict me of any error) you can be sure that the words in front of you are the real deal.

Perhaps you are not the questioning type, but in order for us to clearly see what is going on, I think we have one question…

WHY?!

And yes, it is a simple question with a less simple answer, but I think it is all pretty clear, pretty straightforward…

THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

Luke goes a little bit more deeper though in Acts 1:1-8. He emphasises four main things: that Christ has risen from the dead (1:3); that the gospel will not remain sedentary, but will spread (1:8); that the Holy Spirit will play an important role in such a task (1:2,5,8); and we will be the messengers (1:8b). The whole process for this gospel-preaching thing could be summed up:

Christ’s death saves → Message is proclaimed through people → Holy Spirit renews heart

NB: Predestination is another factor in this process so not everyone will be saved.

I was brought up in a Reformed Presbyterian home, A Reformed Presbyterian Youth Group and Church, a Reformed School. You could even add the world ‘Evangelical’. From my understanding, evangelical just means “The gospel is true, and everyone should hear this message”. We, as Christians, should believe in the spread of the gospel.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism first question asks “What is the chief purpose for which man is made?” and the answer is “The chief purpose for which man is made is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever”. It seems pretty fitting to me that glorifying God includes praising his name boldly, sharing it with everyone, unashamed that who you are is defined by what God says in his word. I pray that for you, not only will Acts enlighten you to the history of our faith, but encourage you to spread the Gospel, through which God has so graciously and mercifully saved us.

Do something...NOW!

Write down a prayer for yourself as you go on studying Acts. Perhaps pray that you will become more bold in sharing about your faith.