Tuesday 3rd June Acts 9.1-9

INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The Author of this book is the medical Dr Luke (Kol.4.14). He used to travel with Paul in so many occasions. In this book where we read “Us” it means him and Paul that time (16.10). This book narrates the starting of the church of Christ on the Pentecost day, when God sent the promised Holy Spirit. It narrates also stories of what happened to the very first Christians, how they spread the Good news in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria (1.8); and then in Asia, Greece , Africa and in Rome. This book might also be called “Acts by the Holy Spirit”. If you read verse 31 of chapter 28, you find it as incomplete message, it is like leaving a letter incomplete with an intention to add more later. But why? The reason is that the Holy Spirit still works even today. This is what is in this book: 1.1-11 Ascension of Jesus. 1.12-8.1: Preaching the Good news in Jerusalem. 8.2-12.15: Preaching in Judea and in Samaria mostly by Peter 13.1-28.31. Preaching to the Gentiles mostly by Paul.

Qn. 1, 3

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest (1): Saul who was persecuting the disciples of Jesus was not doing it all alone, but was supported by the leaders of Judaism (1, 2). In all they did, they thought they were proponents of God’s service (3.6). Without consulting God or seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit, the people of God may take the wrong direction, and thus moving away from God’s will. Do you ever take some time to ask God for counsel before doing anything? And falling on the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? (4): The light that suddenly shone upon Saul and the voice he heard; were proof that he really had met the resurrected Christ. Persecuting the Church is persecuting Christ because the Church is his body (1 Cor. 12.27). As a member of Christ’s body, you should earnestly do God’s will. Prayer Request: Pray for Christians all over the earth, who might be undergoing persecution. Song 386 (Praises).