We begin a study of the Book of Acts. This second volume of the Luke-Acts series tells the story of the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea and to the ends of the earth. The title of this book can be misleading. This is not so much a book about what the Apostles are doing as a book about what God is doing. The Apostles, specifically Peter and Paul, are the instruments that the Holy Spirit uses to move the small band of witnesses towards being the church in the known world.
I want to encourage you to read the whole book of Acts. If possible, read it in a single sitting. It is a whole story and should be seen in its entirety before we look at its parts. As you read it may I offer a couple of questions to shape this reading. Who is the primary actor in the story? What are the central messages of the text? What are the obstacles for those hearing the message to receive it? How are these obstacles overcome?
There are many other questions that could be asked, but these are the ones I will bring to this study. Obviously the question of what is the message of the book of Acts to us is most important. This is a part of God’s Word to us. What do we hear that will change our lives and the lives of our congregations today? I invite you to look over my should as I look at this important book again. More importantly I invite you to study with others this book so that the Holy Spirit may use this story to inform and challenge Christ’s Church today.
Grace and Peace in this study.
