Today's Meditation
Read Acts 1:1-14
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
The Book of Acts should be read as an extension of the Gospel According to Luke. It is the same author who continues the story. The gospel account was about Jesus' events while he was here on earth, the Acts of the Apostles account is about the story of Christ's disciples as they shared the good news, this new Christian movement, with more people.
In the opening of Luke's new book, he addressed it to Theophilus. Theophilus literally means, "loved by God" and carries the idea that this person was a "friend of God". There are some theories about who this person was. Some speculate that this title simply is a generic term Luke used to personally address any one who is reading it. Another theory is that this person was an actual high-ranking Roman official or officer, as he is addressed as "most excellent" Theophilus in other places. Other theories include that he was a wealthy and influential leader in Antioch, as there is a second century reference in other writings about such a person. Or he was one of two possible high priests in Jerusalem, one named Theophilus ben Ananus, son of Annas and brother-in-law to Caiaphus who served in Jerusalem between A.D. 37-41 or Mattathias ben Theophilus who served from A.D. 65-66. Yet another theory holds that this is the name of the lawyer who defended Paul during his trial in Rome. If this is true than the gospel writing and this writing were done for the purpose of defending Paul's case of being accused of insurrection against the throne and defending Christianity against the charge that it was an illegal religion.
All possible theories hold some merit, but truthfully, we'll probably never know. What we do know is that Luke set out to give as detailed an account as possible. Because of that, we have an amazing gospel record and a fairly complete record of events that occurred after Jesus ascended to heaven. We give thanks to Luke for writing such a story. What is your story? What are God's acts in your life? How has God changed your life after learning and studying His record in the scriptures?
Sanctuary You might be surprised by today's YouTube clip. It is in Hebrew and English, sung by the Cantor, Julia Cadrain, during worship at Central Synagogue.
No comments:
Post a Comment