Studying the Bible; Specifically Looking Into Acts

            This week we’re going to be talking about the book of Acts. Luke wrote the book of Acts. Now, despite common beliefs, (and by common beliefs I mean my own misconception) Luke was not one of the twelve disciples. He was the author of the Gospel of Luke. He’s mostly known as the non-Jewish doctor who was with Paul when Paul wrote many of his letters that are in the Bible. He is mentioned in Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 1:24. The approximate date that Luke wrote his contribution to the Bible is around the same time that Paul wrote his.

            Luke is not mentioned much in the Bible; instead he lets his writings speak for themselves. Acts has popularly been split into 3 categories; the Gospel in Jerusalem, the Gospel in Judea and Samaria, and the Gospel in the Non-Jewish World. In these three categories he talks about what the model church should look like, he introduces the Holy Spirit, and he makes a point about how we are supposed to include everyone.

“Our task is not to invent unity, but to acknowledge it… And then we Christians wouldn’t be known for what divides us; instead we’d be known for what unites us- common Father”

A Gentle Thunder Max Lucado

         When Luke shows us in the book of Acts the beginning church, he shows a group of Christians who are radical in their generosity, unity and love. The verses say time and time again how the disciples gave each other everything and shared without holding back. They acted like what they owned belonged to everyone because they knew it wasn’t them who owned it. It was God. So they gave freely. They all lived in unity, because instead of focusing on their differences, they focus on the one thing that they had in common. The one thing that mattered. Their love for Jesus Christ. They loved fiercely. They loved one another just as Jesus taught them too; just as Jesus loved them.

 “The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit”

Acts 13:52

            Acts is where we hear the story of the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-14).  When they receive the Holy Spirit, they realize the power that comes with it. Through the Holy Spirit we receive God’s love (Romans 5:5), and how we can give to others God’s love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-13). We need the Holy Spirit in our lives because the Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity. But so often, we focus more on God the Father and Jesus Christ.

“God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right”

Acts 10:35

           In Acts, Luke tells us that we are not to be elitists that exclude anyone different from us. Because with God, anything is possible, anyone can change their hearts and lives and that’s all it takes for their sins to be forgiven. If God can forgive their sins, then so should we. It’s not our role to judge. We may have opinions, but we are to never pass the verdict. We’re not all that different from anyone else. Not in God’s eyes. We were all made in his image, and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

 “Whether it is a short or a long time, I pray to God that not only you but every person listening to me today would be saved and be like me.”

Acts 26:29

            I agree with Luke. I pray that I, and everyone else, can learn to be like the people in the book of Acts. That we can learn to be generous, unified, loving, filling with the Holy Spirit, and all-inclusive. If I know anything, though, I know this; we cannot do it alone. We need our Savior.

            Thanks everyone for reading again! Make sure you subscribe to get an e-mail when I post so you don’t miss out! Also, for the comments, what is one way that you can take something from Acts and use it to let God work on your life? Always great to hear from you guys! Thanks again and God Bless!