Day 320 – Acts 1-3

Talking Points

• Acts is written by Luke, as his follow-up account to his gospel narrative. In his gospel, Luke carefully recorded the life and ministry of Jesus, revealing Him as the promised Messiah of God. Now, in logical order, he moves to recording the start and spread of the Church.
• Early in the record of the formation of the Church, it is made clear: believers are filled with the Holy Spirit for the purpose of existing as empowered testifiers to the good news of Jesus. It is a definitive truth: believers “shall be” His witnesses (Acts 1:8). We also see the scope of the testifying endeavor. From the context, it is literally here (Jerusalem), there (Judea and Samaria), and everywhere (the remotest part of the earth). Our take-away today? As believers, we are empowered to proclaim Christ here, there, and everywhere!
• Peter’s first sermon after seeing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus first-hand was an awesome event! Carefully laying out the truth of the gospel, Peter unashamedly proclaims Jesus and Lord (God), and Jesus as Christ (Messiah).
• The Church grew, surrounded by a “sense of awe,” as “many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles” (2:43). The Church is a supernatural thing, supernaturally empowered for the supernatural mission of sharing a supernatural message! The signs and wonders served to confirm the truth of a resurrected Savior.

Thoughts

The disciples are standing, staring into the sky. They have been through the wildest couple of months imaginable. Honestly, the wildest few years. They have witnessed the incredible revelation of God’s Savior. They have watched Him die, and they have watched Him live again. Now, they behold Him as He rises through the air, disappearing into the clouds. And, as they stare, a voice abruptly shakes them back to reality, “…why do you stand looking into the sky?” (1:11).

The truth is, what they had just experienced, just witnessed, was not the end. It was just the beginning. Eternity had been won. Redemption was secured. Victory was theirs. The Church was forming, and good news waited to be declared. The world had its Savior, and now, they had work to do. So, the angel hastened them on — “There is no time to waste; Followers of Jesus, let’s go!”

Today, be certain, our reality is no different, and our urgency can be no less. Eternity has been won and redemption is secured! Praise the Lord, victory is ours! In a world despairing in bad news, good news is still waiting to be declared. May we also heed the angel’s hastening call and seize our day! Followers of Jesus, let’s go!