City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:1-5 ESV

Reflection

Luke wrote both the Book of Acts and his namesake gospel book. Luke-Acts is a composite narrative, or the story and the sequel, both of which are narrated to Theophilus, a Roman officer (Luke 1:3). Like a good author, Luke recounts the events of the previous book to Theophilus before continuing his narrative. Jesus (being unrecognized at that moment) inspires two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus with the Word of God (Luke 24:13-34) and later He reveals Himself to the disciples and eats fish, proving He is not a ghost but fully alive (Luke 24:36-42). The Book of Luke ends with the resurrected Jesus instructing His disciples to stay in the city until the Holy Spirit comes before ascending into Heaven (Luke 24:46-53).

Luke emphasizes Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, to stay in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and are “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Jesus doesn’t leave His disciples high and dry, but with the promise of a Helper to guide them, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is described as a Helper, Advocate, or Counselor (John 14:16, 26) who, like Jesus (John 1:1-2) was with God in the Beginning (Genesis 1:2). Luke mentions Jesus began His ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit after passing his trials in the wilderness (Luke 4:14). But for the Holy Spirit to come to earth for all, Jesus has to leave His disciples for Heaven (John 16:7).

God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are on the same team, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Either Luke or another Christ-follower explained to Theophilus, who was raised with Roman polytheism, that Christianity is not worshiping three deities, but One God, Three in One, or the Trinity. For example, a man can be a son to his father, a husband to his wife, and a father to his children; one person, three roles. God is One, and He exists as three persons.

Application

Who is your Theophilus? When witnessing to or leading others, know your audience. What is their upbringing? What are their values? What are their greatest ambitions and most desperate needs? Keep these in mind when speaking your testimony and the Word of God. But before speaking, consult the Holy Spirit for what to say.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, when witnessing to and leading others, grant me the right words to say and the right understanding of what they saying to me. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.