May 27
Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-5
Acts 1:5, “For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
And so, we begin our study through a most extraordinary book, a book that tells the story of how the gospel spread from Jerusalem to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). It’ll help in our reading to have an outline. One way you can do that is geographically: the gospel witness to Jerusalem (Acts 1-7); the gospel witness to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-9); the gospel witness to the ends of the earth (Acts 10-28). Along the way, God worked in dramatic fashion to tear down centuries-old hostilities between Jews and Samaritans and then Gentiles in the spread of the gospel.
Another way to outline the book is biographically. The first 9 chapters focus on the ministry of the Apostle Peter, while the remaining chapters speak of the three missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. Don’t lose sight of the fact that Christ called both to their ministries despite their serious flaws. Peter, who had previously denied Christ three times, was nevertheless called by Christ to be the church’s chief spokesman. Miraculously, Christ saved and then commissioned Paul to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, although he had been previously working to destroy the church (Galatians 1:13). In his three missionary journeys, he preached the gospel to thousands upon thousands and crossed continents in establishing churches.
God chose those ordinary men, flawed men, to this most extraordinary work. And of course, there are no others to choose from, for we are all ordinary and all flawed by sin. Most Bibles, including my old NASB, entitle this book as “The Acts of the Apostles.” But that title is not a part of the inspired text. The Bible publisher needed a title, and that seemed appropriate. In reality, however, the book tells the story of the Acts of the Spirit in working through the Apostles to accomplish what was done. And that’s good news for us to keep in mind. God has an extraordinary work for you too, and He in not depending on you to do it in your own strength. Every believer is indwelt by the Spirit, and by the Spirit, God is able to do in us exceeding, abundantly beyond all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Remember that as you read through the book, for the church-building work started by Christ in the book of Acts continues to this day. And you’ve a part, by the Spirit, to play in that!
“Is God’s Spirit writing the next chapter of the book of Acts in and through my life?” – Ray Stedman
WE’VE A STORY TO TELL THE NATIONS
We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.
Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.
We’ve a song to be sung to the nations,
that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil,
and shatter the spear and sword,
and shatter the spear and sword. [Refrain]
We’ve a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
has sent us His Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love. [Refrain]
We’ve a Savior to show to the nations,
who the path of sorrow has trod,
that all of the world’s great peoples
may come to the truth of God,
may come to the truth of God! [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 