Anderson Hills

If one could earn frequent traveler miles two thousand years ago, Paul might hold a record. After spending nearly three years in Ephesus, he retraced his steps through Greece and Macedonia before docking in Miletus. There, he summoned the Ephesian elders for a tearful and final farewell. He charged them with shepherding the church of God. After a brief stay with Philip in Caesarea, Paul headed for Jerusalem, knowing that chains awaited him there. The Bible actually promises us persecution and suffering for our faith. Jesus promised us that the world would treat us the way it treated Him. Paul was quite explicit in saying this was to be expected by everyone who follows Jesus.

Saul began his career as a radical Jewish scholar who was so convinced the Christians were wrong that he had them imprisoned and stoned. After an encounter with the resurrected Jesus he became a Christ-follower. Saul became Paul who proclaimed Christ to the Jews first and also to the Gentiles. Led by the Holy Spirit, the believers in their home base of Antioch in Syria commissioned Paul and Barnabas and sent them out as missionaries to spread the news that Jesus the Messiah is raised from the dead. In spite of every form of opposition, the Word of God could not be contained. God sovereignly saw to it that obstacles became opportunities for Paul and others to take the gospel “even to the ends of the earth.”

Saul began his career as a radical Jewish scholar who was so convinced the Christians were wrong that he had them imprisoned and stoned. After an encounter with the resurrected Jesus he became a Christ-follower. Saul became Paul who proclaimed Christ to the Jews first and also to the Gentiles. Led by the Holy Spirit, the believers in their home base of Antioch in Syria commissioned Paul and Barnabas and sent them out as missionaries to spread the news that Jesus the Messiah is raised from the dead. In spite of every form of opposition, the Word of God could not be contained. God sovereignly saw to it that obstacles became opportunities for Paul and others to take the gospel “even to the ends of the earth.”

Acts tells the story of a unique time of transition. We see many changes and transitions: from Jesus’ earthly leadership to the Apostles’ leadership; from hiding to boldness; from no Spirit to indwelling Spirit; from national Israel to universal Church; from Jerusalem to the world; from Jew to Gentile; from Judaism to Christianity; from synagogues to churches; from Law to grace.

Acts tells the story of a unique time of transition. We see many changes and transitions: from Jesus’ earthly leadership to the Apostles’ leadership; from hiding to boldness; from no Spirit to indwelling Spirit; from national Israel to universal Church; from Jerusalem to the world; from Jew to Gentile; from Judaism to Christianity; from synagogues to churches; from Law to grace.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ vindicated Him as the Son of God. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the climax of God’s great story of redemption. The redemptive work was finished, but now there was more work to do to spread the good news—and Jesus’ ragtag group of disciples were just the ones to do it, armed with the supernatural power headed their way

The resurrection of Jesus Christ vindicated Him as the Son of God. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the climax of God’s great story of redemption. The redemptive work was finished, but now there was more work to do to spread the good news—and Jesus’ ragtag group of disciples were just the ones to do it, armed with the supernatural power headed their way

Jesus experienced an hour of darkness that paid the ultimate price for our transgressions so we may have complete joy and eternal life. What could compel the Son of God to endure such torture? Finishing. Finishing the work that the Father sent Him to do. The debt of all sinners was put on Jesus, who alone could pay it in full. God restored life to the world by the death of his Son. God will not compromise His holiness by indulging our sinful behavior. The cross reveals both the holiness of God and the severity of sin. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven and received by a holy God—this is the beauty of the cross. It was an act of amazing love. Have you received God’s love in Christ for you?

Jesus experienced an hour of darkness that paid the ultimate price for our transgressions so we may have complete joy and eternal life. What could compel the Son of God to endure such torture? Finishing. Finishing the work that the Father sent Him to do. The debt of all sinners was put on Jesus, who alone could pay it in full. God restored life to the world by the death of his Son. God will not compromise His holiness by indulging our sinful behavior. The cross reveals both the holiness of God and the severity of sin. Jesus was forsaken so that we might be forgiven and received by a holy God—this is the beauty of the cross. It was an act of amazing love. Have you received God’s love in Christ for you?

This week in The Story, Jesus continues to demonstrate His identity as the Son of God. And He asks the question, "Who do you say that I am?" In his Gospel, John stressed Jesus’ claims of deity with His “I AM” statements which connected Jesus to the name YHWH of “I AM.” He claimed: I AM the Light of the world; I AM the Resurrection and the Life; I AM the Bread of Life. Jesus began to speak plainly about being more than a prophet. He told the Pharisees that the Father had sent Him, that He was the Son of Man. If Jesus was merely human, His claims about Himself were outrageous and way out of line. “Who do you say that I am?” As Jesus asked Peter this crucial question, He asks us today. And how one answers is a matter of life and death—eternal life, that is.