Monday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 1:1-2
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
Commentary:
1:1 Luke’s first book is the Gospel of Luke, which gives an account of what Jesus began to do and teach. This suggests that the book of Acts is going to be about what Jesus continued “to do and teach” in the world. Though physically he had ascended into heaven (v. 9), yet spiritually he was still present on earth (cf. Matt. 28:20). When one realizes that the term “Lord” (Gk. Kyrios) in Acts usually refers to Jesus, it becomes evident that the entire book tells how Jesus was building his church: selecting an apostle to replace Judas (Acts 1:24), pouring out the Holy Spirit in new power (2:33), adding people to the church day by day (2:47), appearing to Ananias (9:10) and to Paul (9:5; 18:9), healing a paralyzed man (9:34), receiving worship from the church (13:2), stopping a magician who was opposing the gospel (13:11), and opening people’s hearts to believe the gospel (16:14). (See also 1:2 on the Holy Spirit’s role.) It is the execution of the divine program that Jesus directs and mediates. Luke’s Gospel was also dedicated to Theophilus, either an actual person or a symbolic name for any Christian seeker or convert.
1:2 The day when he was taken up refers to Jesus’ ascension into heaven (Luke 24:51). The beginning of Acts parallels the conclusion of Luke’s Gospel (Luke 24:36–53). Through the Holy Spirit means that as Jesus gave instructions and commands to his disciples, the Holy Spirit accompanied his teaching, empowering the disciples so that they would rightly understand it and obey it. apostles. See notes on Acts 1:20; Rom. 1:1.
1:2 The day when he was taken up refers to Jesus’ ascension into heaven (Luke 24:51). The beginning of Acts parallels the conclusion of Luke’s Gospel (Luke 24:36–53). Through the Holy Spirit means that as Jesus gave instructions and commands to his disciples, the Holy Spirit accompanied his teaching, empowering the disciples so that they would rightly understand it and obey it. apostles. See notes on Acts 1:20; Rom. 1:1.
Questions:
- Clayton opened up on Sunday by talking about Luke. He was a physician that was hired to investigate the story of Jesus. He set out to find the truth, interviewing eye-witnesses and reporting his findings. How would it affect your perspective if you were to read the book of Acts with this in mind, that it's really a piece of ancient investigative journalism instead of just reading a "book of the Bible?"
- Over the next few months we will be studying all of the book of Acts in depth. This book tells the story of the first church and serves as our best example of what the Church should look like and what our lives as Jesus-followers should look like. Make a commitment to God in prayer today that you are going to dive into this content each week, in services, City Groups and in your Daily Devos. Commit to modeling your life and mission after the apostles!
Pray:
- That you would remember that your faith is solid and based on reasonable evidence.
- That you would be committed to studying and modeling Acts.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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