Only the Beginning
Devotional Contributor: Dave Hess
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.” (Acts of the Apostles 1:1-2 NIV)
The Acts of the Apostles begins with the phrase: “In my former book, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1 NIV). Luke, a physician/historian disciple of Jesus, wrote both his Gospel and Acts as a two-part account of Jesus’ ministry and the on-going ministry of first-generation believers.
The phrase “all that Jesus began to do” makes a powerful statement. The word “began” implies the beginning of a new era. The initiating of a new venture. It strongly signals: “There is much more on the way!”
The book of Acts is filled with page after page of miracle stories as the early church impacted their generation with the Kingdom of God. Healings, deliverance from demons, and timely prophetic revelations were commonplace among them. Some have interpreted this account as a “unique period of time; one that will never be repeated.” This view, known as cessationism, believes that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, miracles, and healing ceased with the Apostolic Age.
The opposite of cessationism is continuationism, the belief that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have continued to the present age. Though I was raised in a culture of cessationism, I no longer hold to that point of view. I’m convinced that we are to continue the ministry Jesus began! If ever there was a time when we need all of the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit, that time is now!
In fact, we can anticipate even greater outpourings than the first-generation believers experienced! Jesus, referring to all of the mighty works He accomplished, raises our expectations with these words: “Truly, truly I say to you, those who believe in Me, the works that I do, they will do also; and greater works than these they will do; because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 NASB).
This year, as we study the Acts of the Apostles together, let’s consider this amazing book as more than a historical backdrop. Let’s ponder it expectantly as a blueprint for what normal Christianity looks like! Today, as you encounter people and situations that seem overwhelming, pray and interact as one through whom “greater works” will be accomplished in Jesus’ name!
