July 14th

Joshua 20-21     Jeremiah 10     Acts 1     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)


God establishes His church

The Book of Acts is written as the second part of Luke’s account of his witness to Jesus’ life and death, and the foundation of the early church. It is written to a believer called Theophilus, that he may “know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3-4). And the first half of chapter 1 reviews the events with which the gospel of Luke closed, the ascension of the risen Lord Jesus Christ (see Luke 24:36-53).

Probably the most important verse of this chapter is verse 8. Before he ascends back to heaven, Jesus gives the faithful apostles an answer to their confused question in v6: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replies gently but with great challenge. That is none of your business, he says in v7. But here is your task once, in a few days, you receive power in the Holy Spirit: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In other words, you are to tell people of me and my gospel in your home town, in the surrounding districts, and to all the world. The rest of the book of Acts reveals how this plays out in the early church.

As Jesus-followers today we follow in the footsteps of the apostles and come under this same commission. How are you doing this week at making Jesus known to people in your city (neighbourhood, work, home, shops, etc etc)? In your country (work contacts, encouraging friends in their evangelism, supporting charities, campaigning politically, etc)? In the whole world (prayer, supporting overseas missionaries, giving to mission agencies, etc)? What would Jesus say to you if He returned today?

(friend of Christ Church)