Last Sunday we celebrated Easter. This week we’re launching a new study series called Witness, based on The Book of Acts. Last week we left off with the resurrection of Jesus. This Sunday we pick up the story with his ascension into heaven.The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, both written by Dr. Luke, are companion volumes of a single history. Luke’s Gospel is the story of what Jesus began to do and teach. Acts is the story of what Jesus continued to do and teach.

That’s very important. Acts is not so much about the acts of Christians as it is about the continued acts of Jesus. In the gospels he did it in the flesh, physically and personally. In Acts he does his work through those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

If we miss that, we might get the impression that the success of the church was due to super heroes of the faith like Peter and Paul. But the truth is, Acts is not the story of how high-powered Apostles and gifted evangelists carried the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth. It’s the story of how Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, took low voltage, battery operated, ordinary people like you and me and charged them up to change the world. See you on Sunday!