Finding God in Sequels, Unknowns, & Promises (Acts 1:1-5)

We’re left hanging at the end of the book and hooked before the first paragraph of the sequel. We have no idea how it all will pan out, but the author does. The author can be trusted to write out the middle as well as complete the perfect end. Luke is believed to be the man who wrote Acts. His first phrase alludes to a previous writing making Acts his sequel.

The sequel was written to Theophilus, a relatively unknown person. The fact is Luke mentions him here and in the first words of his previous book (Luke 1:3), but nowhere else is this man mentioned by Luke or anyone else in the Bible. It appears that he is a nobody. His name means ‘friend of God’ or ‘lover of God’ so Theophilus is no nobody to God. God knows no nobodies. All are somebody in his thinking. Even when nobody knows who we are, God knows us.

Luke’s given title to Theophilus as ‘most honorable’ in Luke 1:3 lends an assumption that he may have been a benefactor of Luke’s. In Dicken’s Great Expectations, Pip’s benefactor believed in Pip’s abilities, and supported him financially to help him accomplish great expectations. Theophilus may have supported Luke in numerous ways. Indeed, he was no nobody!

 According to these words in Acts, the first book was written to tell about all that Jesus began. Luke states that Jesus began to do and to teach, including instructions given through the Holy Spirit. The sequel was written because Jesus wasn’t through. He had only begun. The story wasn’t over and still isn’t. Some remains to be revealed. After God raised Jesus from the dead, he walked the earth for 40 days—the number of days for completion used often in scripture—proving himself alive and continued teaching his followers about the Kingdom of God. What Jesus began, he is continuing to do through the Holy Spirit. We are part of the sequel.

To play our part in the sequel, believers are given a promise. This is no lover’s “flowers, chocolates, and promises we don’t intend to keep.” You get more than a “You have my word on it.” or a signature on the dotted line. This promise is not only based upon character, but person as well. A person with outstanding character can still fail keeping a promise due to lack of ability, but God’s person has all the ability and character to fully keep his promise. We are promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift that allows Jesus to continue his sequel in and through believers.

Jesus used a word picture to help us understand this promise. He said my cousin John baptized you with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. To baptize means to immerse. I like to think of this as covered, permeated with, nearly smothered with. Just as what would happen if I was held under water ‘til I thought I was going to die. The Spirit should permeate the believer to the degree that self is denied as Jesus taught in Luke 9:23. “He must deny himself and take up his cross…” Cousin John also said, “He (Jesus) must become greater, I must become less.” (John 3:30) The gifted promise is the opportunity and ability to live dead to selfishness and alive to a higher purpose, God’s purpose.

Much more is found in Acts 1:1-5. Please make comments and share your insights and questions concerning this week’s thoughts.

1.       If Jesus began a work in you, please teach us how you allow the Author to continue writing the sequel in your life through the Holy Spirit and prove himself alive?

2.       Who are the ‘unknowns’ God has used in your life? Are you a nobody with a big impact in another’s life? I had Mrs. Darden, who loved me enough to faithfully teach a bunch of silly and ornery girls in Bible class.

3.       Share some practical ways to live a life that counts, to be immersed by the Spirit of God, and dead to selfishness?