A Concise Look at the Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles is the second parts of Luke’s two part work. In this exciting book we continue the journey of salvation history, a journey which begins in the very first chapter of Genesis. The Old Testament is the narration of the journey all the way through time, ending dramatically with the appearance of John the Baptist announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, Jesus makes clear what that Good News is all about, the Paschal Mystery unfolds with Jesus Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension to the Father.
At this point the Acts of the Apostles continues our journey. Jesus paints a picture of this journey from this point until He returns in glory. In Matthew 28 Jesus commands us….you and I to “go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all things I have commanded.” This is our great commision, this inaugurates the role of the Church in salvation history. We are to take the Gospel to Jerusalem and in all Judea and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
The First Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles is a brief summary of the 40 days after the Resurrection and Jesus interaction with His disciples. He very clearly states the mission of the Church before being taken up into heaven. As Jesus ascends to the Father, all His followers are seen by an angel looking up into the heavens. (Acts 1:10-11) The stage is set for the new player in salvation history….the Church and the work of the Holy Spirit
- How do we as disciples and Apostles live out the Great Commision of Matthew 28?
- How do we as Church live out the Great Commision?
- Prior to the updating of the Church at the Second Vatican Council can you compare the pre Vatican II Church to the men confronted by the angel as they were “looking up to the sky?”
The Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles addresses the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This event is commonly considered the “birthday” of the Church.”
God-fearing Jews from all over the place had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks now referred to as Pentecost. The power of the Holy Spirit descends on all of them and though they spoke different languages, everyone understood the speakers.
The picture painted of Peter in Acts 2 is very different from that of his time with Jesus. No longer the impulsive, sometimes lacking wisdom, Peter, addresses the crowd in the power of the Spirit. So powerful were his words that his listeners were “cut to the heart” and were baptized. Now the first of several updates found in Acts states that 3000 were added to the Church that day.
- In Acts 2, the unity and community of the gathered believers begins to be seen. Does the message and life of the Church today continue to reflect that unity?
- The journey of life has moments were one could be “cut to the heart” due to circumstances being experienced. How did the power of the Holy Spirit and the community of believers help you answer the question “what must I do?”
- When Peter spoke to Jesus telling Him that He would not be going to Jerusalem to suffer and die, Jesus replied by calling Peter satan. (Matthew 16:23) How does this passage contrast with the change in Peter we begin to see in Acts 2? Have you ever had moments where your decision about what to do in a situation seemed far better than God’s will?
The Third and Fourth chapters of the Acts of the Apostles continues to emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit in Peter and the believers. Fully aware of the danger they faced, Peter and John begin to move in the community performing wondrous miracles in Jesus name.
The Jewish religious leaders of the day stand in strong opposition to anyone speaking in the name of Jesus. And yet in Acts 4:12 we hear Peter boldly and fearlessly state “salvation is found in no one else,for there is no name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Peter and John are arrested, released and yet continue to boldly proclaim the Good News.
The Apostles and believers were unified in their willingness to speak the message of Jesus.
- Identify a time in your faith journey where you knew that proclaiming the message of the Gospel would meet opposition.
- Are miracles still evident in our lives today? Can you identify examples?
- Have there been times where you helped a fellow believer resist the temptation to “backslide” due to oppostion?
This is the first segment of my suggestion for a Concise Look at a book of the Bible. These notes would be the 1st meeting material should we decide to go this route. Let’s discuss in meeting on Saturday
Before Vatican II it seems to me that we may have depended on sending missionaries to those who had not heard the Good News. After that event all were encouraged to project the Good News. For some that involved formal catechesis in organized parish programs.
When we talk about CCE, Religious Education, Catechesis, the thing that quickly comes to mind is that is for the kids. Wrong. The USCCB states in the U.S. norms for catechesis is yhat it must always be first directed to adults.
Good point. I wanted to post something as a comment to check out the functionality of the site.
Do you think COMMENTS/REPLY are useful for what we are trying to do?