Acts 27-28

November 23

Acts 27-28

The book of the Acts of the Apostles as it is more fully known is really about the acts of the Holy Spirit. God used the apostles to build and spread the Gospel message, but they were only able to act with the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts is the initial fulfillment of Jesus’ command in Matthew 28; "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV)

The Great Commission as these verses are called, was not just for the apostles present when Jesus said these words. This is what all followers of Jesus are called to act upon. We can go because Jesus who has all authority has sent us. Though Paul was in prison in Rome awaiting trial before Caesar, he did not stop preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God. The last verse in the book tells us that; “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 28:31, NIV)

The acts of the apostles may be drawing to a close at the end of the Book of Acts. The apostles were facing persecution and death, but the acts of the Holy Spirit were just beginning. The book seems to end in an odd way. We are not told what happened to Paul, about his trial with Caesar, with the rest of his life and his death. The ending of the book gives us insight into the purpose for this book. It is not to just give us the history of the church, it also reminds us that the acts of the Holy Spirit are not done. The book is not finished. God is still moving and there are leaders who step up in each generation to continue to share the Good News. Each of us is called to help writing the story begun in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit is still moving and if we follow Him, we too will face trials and victories and can tell the story to the generations to come. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus and He sends us to make disciples in our community.