The significance of the book of Acts

As John Stott alludes in the introduction to the post-resurrection events... the book of Acts is a crucial element in the Christian story. Not only does it explain what happened after the resurrection but it also explains the expansion of Christianity and puts many of the NT epistles into it's proper context. Without it our knowledge of the beginning of Christianity would be next to nothing.

This makes the study of the book of Acts quite exiciting. Here we are given a glimpse into how the early church under the leadership of the apostles faced the cultural pressures and challenges of their day. Here we are given a model church, not because it was perfect but because despite it's weakness, God raised up the most unlikely of people like Peter and Paul and Barnabas and Luke and Timothy and many others to build and strengthen his church. In the next several weeks, we'll be studying the book of Acts so I encourage you to read along and do the extra readings prayerfully. I know that I'm always encouraged in reading this book!

Posted by Pastor James