The start of the Christian Church

No, not that beginning.  The Book of Acts gives us an accurate account of the birth and growth of the Christian Church.  It was written by Luke, who was the physician, between 63 and 70 AD.  It begins where the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) left off.  It begins in Jerusalem, where the church is established, talks of how the church faced severe persecution, spreading it out to the surrounding areas.  But, because of this persecution in Jerusalem, we, the Gentiles, were able to hear of the Good News.

Acts chapter 1.  Verse 1 (The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach) reminds us of Luke's first account, the Gospel of Luke.  It references Luke 1:3 and 3:23.  Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke to account for the beginning of Jesus in a concise, consecutive order.  Remember, Luke was the medical doctor.  His writing is very historical.  (I also remember hearing/reading that the Gospel of Luke had been the most contested book of the Bible; however, the more archaeology uncovers things, the more factual Luke's writing has been proven to be.)  He wrote both books to Theophilus.

Jesus began His teaching when he was roughly 30 years old.  In Luke 3:23, Luke reminds us also of Jesus' family tree.  The purpose of the Jewish nation was to be separated from everyone so as to bring about the Messiah.  Luke 3:23-38 takes us all the way back to Adam, who He describes as the son of God.  Jesus' pedigree was important to God, therefore, Luke made it a point to show His ancestry within the gospel.

As a side note, not much is known about Theophilus.  The name is purported to mean "lover of God," "loved by God," or "friend of God."  There are many theories on whom Theophilus was, and you can do a search on his name to see them all.  During my search, I did come across a cartoon line with the name Theophilus.  I am not sure the context of the cartoon, but did find it interesting that someone created a cartoon character who carried around a Bible and subsequently named it Theophilus.  :)

Verse 2 (until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen) goes on to account for the continued purpose of the Gospel of Luke, which was to account for Jesus' life through His resurrection as well as the orders He'd given to His chosen apostles via the Holy Spirit.  Cross referenced verses are:  Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9,11,22; Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15; John 20:21f; Mark 6:30; John 13:18; and Act 10:41.

One of the orders He'd given is found in Matt 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."  Another is found is Mark 16:15, "Go in to all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."  Luke also ensures we know that they were witnesses to the resurrection.  Because we can prove God, Jesus, and the Bible, we can trust Luke's account of facts.  Remember, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work"  (2 Tim 3:16-17).  God gave us the means necessary to live this life.  We just have to be willing to take the time to study it.

My thoughts.  I go to a church that speaks truth each and every weekend.  She has a seminar on why bad things happen to good people.  She also has a seminar called Facts Behind the Faith, which intellectually proves God, Jesus, and the Bible.  We don't have, nor do we need, blind faith.  I love that!!  I don't have to base my faith on feelings...I KNOW He's real.  She also has a science-based seminar on Creation vs evolution.  Evolution is not even worth your time.

This blog is about Total Wellness.  Your spiritual health is of the utmost importance; therefore, it needs to be discussed.  This is also my way of personal accountability to studying God's Word.  I hope you enjoyed this.  ;)