Thought for the Week

Scriptures to Read:

Acts 28:17-22

Acts 28:22-25

Acts 28:25-29

Acts 28:30-31

I Corinthians 3:21-4:2

St. Matthew 25:14-23

St. John 21:15-23

Luke wrote his Gospel so Christ could be seen and known – from birth to ascension. This second book, called "The Acts of the Apostles," is written so it can be seen and known how the Followers of Christ fulfilled the assignment He gave them. We have reached the end of Luke's writing but most certainly not the end of Christ's assignment. That assignment is still being fulfilled in this present day and world. Luke could not possibly have covered every Follower. We do see how Christ enabled and equipped His Followers. We see how the initial organization was begun.

Throughout this book, we see additional touches of organization, doctrine, presentation of the Gospel and the responses to it. We see glimpses of a few Followers: Stephen, Philip, Peter, Barnabas and Paul. We cannot know everything any of them accomplished. We only see certain highlights. There are many others we only know by name and perhaps one tiny fraction of what they did: Lydia, Dorcas, John Mark, Ananias and James. Because Luke was traveling companion to Paul, we see more of his life and ministry. We do not see everything and we are not at the end of Paul's ministry.

But with what Luke has written, there is enough for a reader to understand Christianity and make a decision about it. Does the reader want to join and become a Follower of Christ or will he reject the ongoing invitations made. In these closing verses we know Paul was free enough to rent a house and entertain those interested in knowing more about Christ. It is likely the house was large enough so Paul, Luke, Aristarchus and the changing guard could live together. During these two years discussed, Paul entertained John Mark, Epaphras, Justus, Demas, Onesimus, Epaphroditus and Tychicus. We know this from other Scriptures. Just as we also know Paul spent much time writing letters to strengthen the churches he had a hand in establishing: Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon.

We do not know how many Paul led to Christ but we have one notable example: Onesimus. I think Paul expected to be released from his chains. He made plans for visiting places like Spain and revisiting the many churches he had already been to. The way Acts ends, we do not know if indeed Paul was released but he is setting a good example for us: we do not know what tomorrow holds. But we should be making plans as to how we will fulfill the assignment Christ has given us. We do not all have the same assignment, but there can be no doubt Christ has a work for each of us. He calls all. He equips those He calls. He makes us stewards of time, ability, resources and other people for whom and over whom we have stewardship. He makes us evangelists. We could evangelize crowds, or the children of our household and community. He makes us prayer warriors and calls us to pray without ceasing. We can pray against evil and pray God and good will triumph. We can pray to be faithful to Christ and the calling He has given us. He calls us to minister: it could be utilizing large sums of money or simply a cup of water.

I apologize if this study was too long, too tedious, too detailed or the opposite for your taste. I do hope and have prayed Acts was and will continue to be a blessing to you as we reread and restudy it. I trust you will allow yourself to be used by Him. You are not Paul, you may simply be one of the unnamed host of those who continue to act out the role of

Apostle in your time and in your world. It is true no one can be you. Be the best you can possibly be for His glory.