History is His Story and mine too

History was not my favorite subject in school. My mind tends to think about ‘now’ rather than the past or the future. However, history buffs would love the book of Acts and the narrative in Luke’s Gospel. One tells the story of Jesus and the other documents what happened after Jesus returned to heaven.

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1–4)

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)

These two are addressed to the same individual, Theophilus and linked by the phrase, “the former treatise.” The first concerns what “Jesus began both to do and teach” and the other records the continuation of that ministry by “the apostles whom he had chosen.”

These two books cover the history of the first sixty or sixty-five years of Christianity with about thirty years included in each. Luke begins the story of the Good News of salvation in a manger in Bethlehem and ends at the hub of the Empire in Rome. He opens with the witness of the shepherds in the fields of Judea and finishes with the salutations of saints in Caesar’s household.

(Paul) lived there (in Rome) two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:30–31)

Paul’s ministry was successful at the highest level of the Roman empire. He later reports, “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” (Philippians 4:22)

Acts tells how the church was formed and grew. At first, the good news went to the Jews, but as they began to reject it, Luke describes a shift in focus. God moved Paul to go to the Gentiles. As he did, he gave his reason by citing an Old Testament prophecy, Isaiah 6:9-10:

‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Acts 28:26–27)

When I read history, I think of those who insist that history repeats itself, mostly because we don’t learn from it. This is not what God intends. He wants me to read it with purpose:

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

From this verse, the believers in those early days were encouraged to read their OT history and gain instruction from it. God tells me to read Acts that I might be encouraged too. As I take a big-picture look at the history Luke recorded, I can see instruction and encouragement from God.

First and foremost, I am to share the good news with those already interested in spiritual truth. They believe there is a God and that a relationship with Him is possible. They should be receptive.

Second, if those who seem receptive are not, I should share Christ with all people as Paul did. God’s pattern is that His people proclaim the kingdom of God and teach people about Jesus Christ with boldness.

Finally, I already know what Acts says and the bottom line of this historical book tells me to obey God and trust the Lord for the results.

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Jesus, I feel like a very small part of the Body of Christ. However, the history of the church shows that You use Your people to build Your kingdom as long as we do what You ask. Help me see the instruction in this book. Grant me the endurance and encouragement that I need for obedience. I am living in a messed up world and need the hope that comes from You.

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.

Christ is the Body-builder

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19–21)

A woman (not a Christian yet) had been in Africa. She told me that the local believers spoke of missionaries coming, starting churches, but then complained because the missionaries later left them. In the past, when missionaries stayed to run things they were criticized of colonialism. Now, when the indigenous church is established and they leave, they are accused of abandonment.

While we are to care for one another, I told her that it was important that these new churches learn to rely on the Lord, not on the resources of missionaries, which often happens in poorer countries. I also said that those churches must develop so they fit into their own culture. If missionaries lead the church that will not easily happen. She was still skeptical.

I could have told her that a new church is like a child. Eventually it must stand on its own, and the people who were involved it is growth need to let it go, trusting Jesus Christ to build it and care for it. While the ‘parents’ must not be heartless and totally abandon it, they need to be aware of the fine line between trusting the Lord and being controllers.

Jesus exemplifies this. He began a church, then left, at least physically. Luke, who wrote the Gospel that bears his name, also wrote Acts, the story of the early church. He begins with these words . . .

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 . . . (Acts 1:1–5)

He said, “all that Jesus began . . .” implying that there was more work to do and more truth to teach. Jesus was not done yet. This is true in the lives of individual Christians and true of the Body of believers known as the church. He will finish the job He started.

One note: I tend to read the New Testament very personally, but need to remember that most instances of the word “you” use the plural version. God is speaking to us, not just me. His promises are for the Body of believers, not just individuals.

Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi stating his confidence that God is capable of taking care of them: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:6–7)

He knew these people were Christians whose hearts were with him in his situation, but also shared the grace of God that he shared. For that reason, he could trust them to the Lord knowing that the Lord would bring them (plural) to maturity.

The writer of Hebrews encourages believers who are in a tough and touchy situation. They were pressured from the outside to the point they wanted to leave the faith, but he tells them Christ is better than anything they could run back to. He also points to the many faith-filled people who went before them. Since this “great a cloud of witnesses” surrounds them, he encourages them to “also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

We hold hands in this race because we run it with each other, but that is not the point made by the author of Hebrews. Instead, he tells the church to “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1–3)

From all this, I see for myself a lesson: while relying on one another is important, my first priority is to rely on Jesus Christ. It is His church and He will take care of it, all of it. Whatever my role is, He is in charge and can be trusted to build the church and finish what He started in it, and in me.