Of the 66 books in the Bible, which book should Christians know the best and study the most? That’s a hard question and the answer varies, perhaps, to each individual Christian. But, the book of Acts is such a key book to Christianity, for it shows the inception and the early years of the religion of Jesus Christ on this earth. There is much to learn, to love and to live in this book. Let’s consider five reasons that every Christian should know and study this book. First, we learn about how to become a Christian.
There is anything but unanimity among religious groups today regarding how one is converted to Christ and is saved from sin. Such disagreement was unknown in the early days of Christianity. Everyone became a Christian in exactly the same way! This is why we should love this book!
From the first account of conversion in chapter 2, we see the steps involved and required to become a Christian, which we then see duplicated time after time throughout the book. Having heard (cf. Rom. 10:14) the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to them (including His death, burial and resurrection—vss. 22-36; cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4), those of a tender and receptive heart were “cut to the heart” as they believed the message of Christ preached to them (2:37; cf. Rom. 10:14). In order to secure “the forgiveness of sins,” which they so desperately needed, they were to “repent” (2:38; cf. Luke 13:3) and “be baptized” (2:38; cf. Mark 16:16). Not everyone chose to change their ways and give their lives to the Lord, but “those who gladly received his word were baptized” (2:41), in order that they might be “saved” (1 Pet. 3:21) and became a “disciple” (Matt. 28:19), which is a “Christian” (Acts 11:26).
The teachings of Christ had been followed precisely and the pattern of salvation had been clearly laid out. Throughout the rest of the book, “many” were “obedient to the faith” (6:7), by following the exact same steps. When individuals “heard” the gospel preached (8:6, 35; 9:6; 10:34-43; 16:13-14, 32; 18:8; 19:5), they “believed” that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (8:12, 37; 9:42; 10:43; 15:7; 11:21; 13:6-12, 48; 14:1; 16:31; 17:12, 34; 18:8), they “repented” of their sins (3:19; 22:16; 11:18; 16:33; 17:30), they “confessed” their faith in Jesus Christ (8:36-38), and they were “baptized” in order to have their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus and become a New Testament Christian (8:12, 13, 16, 36, 38; 9:18; 22:16; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5). We need to love and study this book so that we can see the clear plan of salvation taught and then obeyed, in order that lost souls could be converted to Christ. That plan has not changed. We need to teach it and obey it today!
0 Comments