“I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach…” (Acts 1:1)
When I look around at the Church, I can always see its flaws. And I shouldn’t be surprised because the church is and always has been made up of imperfect people and imperfect people aren’t perfect. However, I’ve also seen all the good that churches do. The ministries, the sacrifices, the service to the community, the love and compassion are all things that mark the church. However, what are the root causes of those things? Does the church do good on its own and through its own power?
Not at all. From the very early stages of the church and to this day the church has always been powered by Jesus. The book where we see the establishing of the church is in the book of Acts. In that book we see a young church slowly being established as disciples go out, preach the gospel, and gather for worship. There are major actors throughout the book of Acts like Paul and Peter. However, the main thing the author, Luke, wants us to see is that all the ministry the church does has a source. And that source is Jesus.
Luke opens Acts with this line, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). What he is implying here is that Luke was an account of what Jesus began and Acts will be an account of what Jesus will continue to do. But didn’t Jesus go up into heaven? Yes. But he sent his Holy Spirit to the church at it’s very onset and from that moment on every act of preaching, teaching, evangelizing, cultural engagement, and every act of compassion has been empowered by the Holy Spirit that proceeded from the Son. So, when you think about the different ministries in the church or those ministries that you might serve in, boast not in humanity, boast in Jesus who has and will continue to act through his people.