Working through the Acts of the Apostles becomes more and more challenging as the aftermath of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension catalyst the formation of the first-century church known as, "The Way". Simon, renamed Peter, has become 'the rock' that Jesus predicted during his ministry on earth. Peter is now performing miracles at the caliper of Jesus himself along with other disciples as well. Saul, after allowing the execution of Stephen, is now encountering this Jesus as he was in route to continue persecution in what he believed to be the right thing to do. Saul's conversion is critical to Christianity as he not only planted many of the first churches in history, but he also radically dedicated the rest of his life to Jesus after the miraculous encounter on the road to Damascus.
The world today is full of so many distractions, but there is a clarity in the story of Jesus. Despite the seemingly large disconnect from life two thousands years ago in a completely different part of the world the Holy Spirit is just as active, relevant, and present in our day to day lives. We just have to pray daily for our eyes to remain open and our discernment to be keen on truth and glory.
As Always, God Bless,
James Arthur Ferguson
