Mighty Acts

I have to admit that I'm drawn more to Luke and his writings after learning that he was well educated, a Gentile, and an ever-faithful friend to Paul.  I also have to admit that I have always been a bit intimidated by Acts.  The examples set by the 12 Apostles and the earliest church are tough acts to follow (pun intended).

My NIV study notes shed more light on Luke's writing style and how God used him greatly to document and explain seemingly complex topics of the early church in such an efficient manner.  Here are a few of the notable explanations of the purpose of the book of Acts (taken from NIV Study Bible):

• This book may be studied to gain an understanding of the principles that ought to govern the church of any age.
• It was written to present a history, to give a defense, to provide a guide, and to depict the triumph of Christianity in the face of bitter persecution.

Let's take a peek with fresh perspective at the first group of believers called "the church"...

"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking at the sky?"

~ Acts 1:11

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the 12 disciples were already watching for his return.  That's some good sermon material!  Are we anxiously awaiting?  Are we looking heavenward?  Are we standing arm-in-arm with our brothers waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us?  I also interpret this verse as the angels saying to the men, "Okay, time to get moving."   According to Luke in Acts 1, the earliest group of believers included about 120 people.  What an incredible responsibility they had!  You can imagine the emotion and bond among this group as they awaited together for the promised Holy Spirit.  Their response was to stay together and to pray. (1:14)

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit."

~Acts 2:4a

The moment had come.  God had provided the Holy Spirit as promised.  I find it interesting that the first gift of the spirit displayed was speaking in tongues.  I love the miracle of each person hearing the men speaking in his own native language.  They were "utterly amazed."  Are we utterly amazed at how God works?  Do we trust God to bridge cultural, racial, and other gaps?  Do we surrender ourselves to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to have full control of our hearts, minds, bodies?  He's so much bigger than we know and can fathom!

"Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, 

raised his voice and addressed the crowd"

~Acts 2:14

Peter knew he had a job to do and he did not hesitate.  I imagine that only a few short moments after the Holy Spirit was imparted, Peter was leading the charge.  He had a direct message from God for the people who had gathered.  He knew his Lord, understood the gospel message, and knew it had to be told:  "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (1:21)

"... and about 3000 were added to their number that day."

~Acts 2:41

God was clearly moving in people's hearts.  People were drawn to the Apostles and God was drawing their hearts to Him.  The early church was born.  I'm challenged deeply by Chapter 2, verses 42-47.  I suspect that this was as close to the perfect church as we will ever know.  They were together in Spirit and gave all they had to benefit the gospel and others.  That is a strong challenge to us today and was a mighty act in and of itself.

"It is Jesus' name 

and the faith that comes through him

that has given this complete healing to him, 

as you can all see."

~Acts 3:16

"One day"... Starting in chapter 3, I feel we move from the amazing event of the filling of the Holy Spirit to the not-so mundane details of the Apostles daily life.  Peter and John were going to the temple to pray and stopped to heal a beggar.  This was an amazing event in the life of the beggar, but Peter and John also knew the eternal impact that might come from the physical healing.  Following Jesus' example, they used each miracle as an opportunity to teach repentance and complete healing.  The physical healing was something to enjoy, but spiritual healing was the ultimate prize.  I often think that we confuse God's physical healing in our lives with spiritual healing.  God can certainly work through physical ailments and usually our spiritual eyes are more open through those situations.  However, true healing is in our repentance and God's forgiveness of our sin.

Lord, thank you for your word and for showing us that only you provide complete healing.  Draw us closer together as a church and lead us in mighty acts for Your glory!