Where Do We Go From Here?

Scripture: Luke 24:45-49

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things. 49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” (Luke 24:45-49 NLT)

It’s been such a good experience for me, going through the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts this way! It’s helped me see things as an ongoing story and gain a perspective I’d not had before. It was also helpful to read it all in the “voice” of Doctor Luke who carefully researched for his Gospel and then actually participated in the action beginning in Acts 16 and remained with Paul for the remainder of the story. I hope it has been insightful and encouraging for you as well!

When we began, I had no idea how long it would take to work our way through Luke’s Gospel and Acts. It turns out it took from January 1 through September 8! I knew early on that we’d likely finish before the end of the year, so I’ve been planning to finish the year with books in the New Testament written by key people from the Acts story.

My personal list of key characters includes Peter, Stephen, Philip, James, Paul, Barnabas, and Silas: Of those, only Peter, James, and Paul left us anything in writing. Peter is the key actor through Acts 13. Paul is introduced in Acts 8, 9, and 11 and then becomes the key character from Acts 13 to the end of the story.

James, brother of Jesus, leaves us the Epistle of James; Peter wrote for us 1 and 2 Peter; and Paul wrote much of the remainder of the New Testament. I’ll begin tomorrow, on September 10, with devotionals from the letter James wrote in AD 49 to Jewish Christians scattered by persecution, then we’ll dig into the two letters of Peter—1 Peter written in about AD 62 and 2 Peter written about three years later. We’ll finish the year with writings from Paul, focusing on Epistles he wrote to churches and individuals during his two year imprisonment in Rome. Please feel free to respond with questions or comments anytime! I love hearing from you!

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for Luke’s Gospel and Acts. Thank you for your Word of Truth and your Spirit who leads us into all Truth. May we become links in the unbroken chain of faith and truth that reaches to our day and time. By your Grace and your Spirit. Amen.