BULLETIN ARTICLE – 30 December 2018
The Bible book of Acts, also known as the Acts of the Apostles, details what the disciples of Jesus did after Jesus died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. It is kind of like ‘Volume 1’ of a story that is not yet completed until Jesus’ second coming. We sit right in that era as well, between Jesus’ ascension recorded in Acts 1 and Jesus’ second coming. We are probably ‘Volume x’ of that story, as disciples of Jesus entrusted to continue the same acts of the early disciples. Hence, it is critical for us to take note of the key lessons in Acts and apply them in our life, work and Christian ministry. Here are two key lessons we can glean from Acts as we wrap up this yearlong study of the book.
1. The Scope of God’s work is all people everywhere.
The key verse of the book is Acts 1:8 where Jesus told his disciples that they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth really did transpire through Acts. From Acts 1-6a we see the advancement of the gospel in Jerusalem, followed by Judea & Samaria in Acts 6b- 9a. From Acts 9b-12 onward we see the gospel bearing fruit amongst the Gentiles. Subsequently we read of Paul’s journey to bring the gospel to Asia in Acts 13-16a and then to Europe in Acts 16b-19 and to Rome in Chapters 19b-28. We see the inclusiveness of the gospel of Jesus to any and everyone. It is God’s plan to welcome all peoples who turn to him in repentance, regardless of geography or ethnicity. Thank God for his work of salvation through his apostles which advanced from Jerusalem to Rome, to both Jews and Gentiles. Thank God that after this period covered by Acts, over the course of many centuries the gospel eventually reached the shores of Singapore to Gentiles like us. We, as his ambassadors now (2 Cor 5:20), are entrusted to continue his work. Have we faithfully brought the gospel to all peoples regardless of geography and of ethnicity? Are there some people groups or religions in Singapore that we feel are too far from the gospel? Consequently, have we then decided not to preach the gospel to them? Have we brought the gospel to Pasir Ris, to Jurong, to Woodlands and to the neighbouring zones wherever God has placed us?
2. The Progress of God’s work is through the preaching of his gospel
Secondly, it is clear throughout the book of Acts that the nature of the progress of God’s kingdom happened through the preaching of his gospel. Repeatedly we read of phrases that indicated that all the Christians of the early Church “proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ— with all boldness!” (Acts 28:31). We read of detailed examples of such bold preaching through Peter (2:14-39, 3:11-26, 4:1-12), Stephen (7:1-53), and Paul (13:16-47, 17:22-31, 20:17-35). The advancement of God’s work for the salvation of the people of the world is through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus. This preaching is the necessary and integral tool in God’s work of salvation. Sometimes in modern day Christian terminology, we claim to practise ‘friendship evangelism’. We try to reach the lost people by loving them and caring for them but we often shrink back from preaching the gospel of Jesus to them. The word evangelism itself means ‘proclaiming good news’ so it must go beyond loving and caring for people as Jesus would. Let us stay faithful to preach the gospel of Jesus in spite of the difficulties that ensue, be it rejection by people, awkwardness, or even accusations hurled at us, as that is the way that God’s kingdom advances. At all occasions and in all situations that God opens to us in our daily living, we must preach about Jesus – his life, death and resurrection. People need to hear the preaching of the gospel of Jesus and we are the avenues God has chosen for this to be done. As Paul told his son in the faith Timothy, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Tim 4:2a).
