Dear Friend | Week 1 | Kingdom on the Move: From Jerusalem to the Ends of the Earth

Happy New Year! We’re beginning a look at the Book of Acts, which picks up after Jesus’ resurrection. Luke, a doctor who traveled with the Apostle Paul, wrote both the Gospel of Luke and Acts as one continuous story. He addresses Acts to “Theophilus,” saying, “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach…” (Acts 1:1). He then describes how Jesus, over forty days after His suffering and resurrection, appeared to His followers and told them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. When they asked, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or dates… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:6–8).

This sets the theme for the entire book—and for our lives. Even now, we’re called to carry Christ’s message close to home (our “Jerusalem”), a bit farther out (our “Judea”), across cultural barriers (our “Samaria”), and all the way “to the ends of the earth.” That might mean sharing faith with our families, co-workers, friends, or even traveling across the world. In Acts, the early disciples obeyed Jesus’ call and changed history. Today, we continue their story by faithfully living out His command, trusting that the Holy Spirit will empower us just as He did the apostles.