Today our 5x5x5 plan of reading the New Testament through in one year jumps to a new book and also allows a good spot for new readers to jump in on the plan. Some have asked me why we now go into Acts, and why the plan is not from cover to cover, starting with Matthew and ending with Revelation. It is purposely laid out to allow us to read one of the gospels and see Jesus at for different periods of the year. In being true to the timeline in part we now look to the book of Acts.
This book begins with hope having been realized and fulfilled in the Messiah's resurrection having taken place. The transition now tales place where his apostles will continue his ministry and expand the church.
As I read today I noticed the special significance and choosing of the apostles. Take note of a few things with me:
Verse 2 - apostles were chosen by Jesus.Verse 2 - they are given commands through the Holy Spirit.
Verse 4 - they no doubt spent time with Jesus.
Verse 20 - they felt it necessary, through the authority of Scripture to replace Judas to have 12 apostles again.
Verse 21 - one of the qualifications was that he be someone that had often been with them during Jesus ministry, someone who had seen and hard Jesus.
Verse 22 - this new apostle would be a witness of the resurrected Lord, they would be someone that had seen him since he rose from the dead.
Verse 24 -the choosing of this new apostle was again left up to Jesus.
So in light of reading Acts 1, what do you think? Should we look for apostles today? Is the office of apostleship active today? Interesting to consider, what do you think?
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