Witness

Theophilus, the first scroll I wrote concerned everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning, right up to the day when he was taken up into heaven. Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me: John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?” Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:1-8, Common English Bible)

With the power of the Holy Spirit we are called to be Christ's witnesses to the ends of the earth!!

The book of Acts tells a dramatic story of the birth and expansion of the church from the time of the ascension of Jesus until the arrival of Paul in Rome. The narrative first portrays the life and dynamic growth of the primitive community in Jerusalem, energized by the Spirit and led by Peter and the apostles up through the martyrdom of Stephen. After Stephen’s death the story continues with mission activity outside of Jerusalem, the inclusion of the Gentiles, Peter’s miraculous escape from death, Paul’s further missionary travels, and then comes to a close with the account of Paul’s arrest, imprisonment, trials in Jerusalem and Caesarea, and his transfer to Rome.

Witness and Community

As we walk through this Easter season, I invite you to take the time to read the Acts of the Apostles this Easter Season. Keeping your heart and mind open to the ways it may speak to you or call you to be in community and to be Christ’s witness to the ends of the earth!!

Yours in Christ,

Mtr. Teresa+