Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 1:3
3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
Commentary:
1:3 Jesus appeared multiple times to his disciples and gave them many proofs to strengthen their faith. Solid evidence and knowledge of facts increase faith (an idea contrary to some modern views of “faith”). Only Acts provides the specific time reference of a 40-day period for the resurrection appearances, a number that evokes thoughts of many biblical events, such as the wilderness wanderings of Israel and the temptations of Jesus. Though common in the Gospels as the main theme of Jesus’ preaching, the phrase kingdom of God occurs only six times in Acts (1:3; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 28:23, 31). Significantly, two of the six are at the beginning and end of Acts, indicating that the proclamation of the gospel in Acts represents the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s kingdom promises. The “kingdom of God” means not an earthly political or military kingdom but the present spiritually directed reign of God, gradually transforming individual lives and entire cultures through the power of the Holy Spirit. Cf. Matt. 6:33.
Questions:
- In the first few verses of Acts 1 we learn that, following his resurrection from the dead, Jesus spent the next 40 days appearing to his apostles and teaching them. It says that he had to prove to them that he was actually alive. This means they were skeptical at first and wanted to see him with their own eyes and touch him with their own hands! The apostles didn't simply take it on blind faith, and we don't have to either! What does it do to your faith to know that you are making a decision to believe based on reasonable, historical evidence of the resurrection, not just choosing to believe a story someone told you once?
- The apostles were eventually convinced, and many of these same men would go to their deaths claiming they saw him alive. No one dies for something they know to be a lie. This is one of the greatest pieces of historical evidence for Jesus' resurrection. And if Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, then he is who he said he was. He is God! This is a great way to explain to people why you have the faith that you have. Do you think you could articulate this in a conversation? Pray and ask God to give you an opportunity!
Pray:
- That you faith would be bolstered knowing it is based on solid evidence.
- That God would give you an opportunity this week to share it with someone.
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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