A few of us are exploring the book of Acts. What a fascinating book it is. It is not the first time I’ve read it, and it should my life be spared it won’t be the last time I read it. Here are ten reasons – among many others – for why I love reading this brilliant epic.
Don’t read anything into the order of the ten, it’s not in preference order, they’re just given as they come to me.
1. The Kingdom of God being the Heart of the Beginning:
When I talk to some about Acts, I notice how people tend to overlook the fact that at the start is not Jesus’ ascension. It’s what Jesus does in the aftermath of His resurrection. To spend those days making appearances would be remarkable in itself. To see Him using that time to hammer home the importance of the Kingdom of God suggests something truly important to those called by God to follow in His way.
2. Commitment to Corporate Prayer
Whether in preparation of a replacement for Judas or the context in which the Holy Spirit commissions Paul and Barnabas to their specific work, the part corporate prayer plays cannot be underestimated. It goes to show then how important it is when in the community of Christ-followers to put prayer right at the centre. We can be accused of being selfish sometimes in our prayer concerns – this book reminds us again of a better way.
3. The Story of the Acts of the Holy Spirit
I must admit I never appreciated some of the important marking points in the book. As a result when someone said that what I read are the acts of the Holy Spirit it took me a while to understand what he was saying. Not just in overt positive ways, but in episodes like Stephen’s stoning which would have a powerful impact of another brother’s life. It is to say that knowing the Holy Spirit did that through them. I trust we will all enjoy the leading as well as infilling of the Holy Spirit throughout.
4. Power To Speak Boldly Against The Status Quo:
This book is subversive. Apostles pay little attention to the warning to stop preaching the gospel. Men who hear the gospel through Paul are likewise not made to feel comfortable for what they hear. The gospel message turns things upside down whether the status quo of a hierarchical model or of even the comfort some believers felt being among their own before the Holy Spirit put an end to that.
5. Signs and Wonders
Sure some people have hijacked the thing and turned it into a show which is just as much about the person doing the act as well as the act itself. Walking in the power of the Spirit and being able to confidently set up opportunities for miracles to take place is a strong sense of strength in his own views.
6. Spirit Life leading to Community Life
On a wider scale to enjoying prayer together is considering how the Spirit builds community. No ordinary gathering either. The reports of people selling their stuff to help his poorer brethren. That was a noble gesture, but others will not ave it. They either pay for all of it or they don’t pay at all. As it is sharing the journey through Acts together it truly challenges what relationships we have among each other.
7. It’s Not About Perfect People
You read the dispute between Paul and Barnabas and the parting of the ways. It’s such a child been received with his name on it. There are few individuals who come out of the project looking good. That goes into the importance of having people who can selflessly share together to see board performances boosted to the highest hilts.
8. Lessons to Learn About The Mission Having A Church
I remembered when the penny dropped for this piece of advice. Truly we can hear him if we’re spiritual and pay careful attention. Some of us think church is setting up more to maintain itself. Yet there are indications in the work of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch that the mission has a church and an implicit part of the mission is not to keep the good news and its signs to ourselves.
9. Luke’s Evident Love Of The Spread Of The Gospel.
I love reading a good writer. Someone invested in the process of reading to such an extent that I know it raises the standard of writing and of reading. Luke’s recounting of pivotal baptisms both in the ship and in the bowl. It would be a true honour not only to see the girls getting a dip, but for them to likewise share that desire with other.
10. The Kingdom of God being the heart of the end
It’s brilliant how the writer went and ended it as he started it. It’s doing things for the glory of the eternal kingdom of God. That in itself is worthy of honour, power and praise.
The thing about reading the book of Acts is that it agitates, irritates, motivates and stimulates in equal measure. It will not allow you to accept things as they are especially as the return of the King is sooner than we first believed. I hope that reading this again in the company of brothers and sisters will provoke me further to co-operate with the Spirit to do what the title of the book suggests – act.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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