'28' - Day 2

If you're tracking with us, you should be reading through Acts, one Chapter a day. You should have read Chapter 1 yesterday. Read Chapter 2 today!

This week, we're focusing on "the beginnings of the church." Genesis tells about the beginnings of the world. Acts tells about the beginnings of the church. Although the author of Acts is not identified by name, most would agree it was Luke. Luke has at least two purposes for writing about the church's beginnings:

1. He shows how the Gospel victoriously spread from a relatively small area towards "the ends of the earth" in spite of opposition and persecution.


2. He reveals the role of the Holy Spirit in the church’s life and mission, emphasizing the POWER of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel

Acts is full of action and stories that basically give a history of the first 30 years of the Church. Luke didn’t tell EVERYTHING he knew, but he did include some important information that is foundational to our faith. Think of Acts like a newspaper. A newspaper has many stories that give a brief snapshot of what’s going on any given day in the world. Luke chose a few POWERFUL stories for special reasons. Imagine how many books it would have taken to tell all that happened in the church in the first 30 years!

Something I learned in the business world is how to give an “elevator speech.” An elevator speech is a brief, but POWERFUL overview of the project that you’re working on. As the name implies, it should be able to be delivered in the span of an elevator ride (30 seconds or so). The idea is, if you’re ever on the elevator with the President or CEO of the company and they ask what you’re working on, you’re prepared with a quick snapshot of your project, its value, and your value to the President and to the company.

Here’s today’s challenge: Write out, think through and memorize a POWERFUL “elevator speech” of how Jesus POWERFULLY saved your life and how the Holy Spirit has EMPOWERED you to share your faith with others.