Day 154

2 Samuel 20:14–21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18

TODAY WE BEGAN a new era in the New Testament. The book of Acts unveils what happened after Jesus ascended to the Father. Practically speaking, we could call this narrative 2 Luke, for Luke and Acts share the same author, and Acts picks up where the Gospel of Luke left off.

The first portion of Acts will focus on the ministry of Peter, and then we’ll meet a zealous Pharisee named Saul. Saul was doing everything he could to wipe the name of Jesus from the lips of anyone who dared believe, but during his quest, he met Jesus in a life-changing and radical way. This man would become the apostle Paul, and we’ll spend the latter portion of Acts getting to know him. Paul will influence much of the rest of our time together, for his letters make up the bulk of the remainder of the New Testament.

The fuel that energizes the stories found in Acts comes in the form of the Holy Spirit —exactly as Jesus promised. Nothing of the early church would have been possible without the Spirit of truth, and we would do well to remember this —because this same Spirit empowers us to bring light and Good News into the world today.

Drink deeply from the book of Acts, for we are considering our spiritual heritage. But more than that, we are looking at what the power of the Holy Spirit did and continues to do in and among us.

MEDITATION:

I look up to the mountains —does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.