Reminders . . .

We moved many times during the years our children grew up. Wherever we were, I wrote letters to my mother telling her about our new home. To my delight, she kept all those letters. I can read them and be reminded of our colorful past.

The New Testament book of Acts is something like that. It was written by Luke to Theophilus and tells about God’s next move after Jesus rose from the dead.

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:1–5)

After the Holy Spirit came upon them, those early believers boldly told the good news that Jesus came, died and rose again, according to the plan of God.

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:22–24)

In other words, His death was not an upset in God’s plan. It was the culmination of years of preparation. The world could not live according to the spiritual laws God gave them. They needed a Savior to be forgiven and the Holy Spirit to have the power to live as God intended.

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37–41)

Faith in Christ worked. Those who responded to this good news were changed. Instead of selfishness and sin, their lives were characterized by new attitudes and behaviors.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42–47)

The Book of Acts tells about changed lives and the growth of the church. While some mocked and dismissed these early Christians as fools, many received the good news they shared. As the NT says, many were added daily and the Body of Christ became a powerful element of change and new life. Even with its warts and wrinkles, it still is today.

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Lord, thank You. Yesterday someone singled me out and put me down for just being me. Downcast, I asked for Your answer on this and You remind me that I am part of something much bigger, a body of people who are often put down simply for loving You and expressing that love. You also remind me that sin has great power to be thoughtless, unkind and even very cruel. I need to continually rely on You so I don’t fall into it with retaliation or any other actions that reflect a lack of faith, and so I can be merciful and kind to those who do fail.