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LUKE: HIS EARLY CHURCH HISTORY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Acts 1:1-8

Acts 16:9-13

 

“…the Lord had called us for

to preach the gospel unto them.”

 

LUKE: HIS EARLY CHURCH HISTORY
 
We turn now to another of Luke’s historical writings: the record of the acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this inspired account, Luke portrayed the dynamic power of the Spirit of God building the church through His chosen vessels. It was the Spirit who enabled a small band of disciples to transform into a movement that spread across the world, capturing the hearts of God’s elect everywhere.
 
Luke carefully chronicled how the Spirit empowered the Apostles to preach the Gospel boldly, even in the face of fierce persecution and opposition from both Jews and Gentiles. He understood their struggles well, for he was present as an eyewitness to their imprisonment and even their deaths. For this reason, many have called Acts “the fifth Gospel,” for it continues the story of Christ’s life and work through His disciples.
 
Though Luke was not one of the Apostles and did not witness Christ’s earthly ministry firsthand (he never saw the miracles nor heard the preaching), yet when he came to believe in Jesus, his life was transformed. He accompanied Paul on many of his most dangerous missionary journeys, risking his own life for the Gospel. Luke was fully convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, the only hope of salvation from sin.
 
This raises a searching question: Do you have this kind of conviction, brethren? Or are you a nominal Christian who professes Christ but lacks the heart to serve Him? Do you attend church merely out of formality because it is expected of you? Do you think you are a Christian simply because you once prayed a prayer, or because your parents are respectable church leaders? True faith begins with the recognition that you are a wicked and wretched sinner bound for hell, and that Jesus Christ gave Himself on the cross so that your sins can be forgiven and you can enter His kingdom. If this is true, why then remain cold and indifferent? Why live as though Christ has not changed you?
 
THOUGHT: Am I truly a Christian bound for heaven, or merely one in name only?
PRAYER: Father, let Thy Holy Spirit convict my heart of sin and open my eyes to the saving work of Jesus. May I live with the same conviction and courage as Luke, fully persuaded that Christ is my only Hope.

 

 

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