THE IMPACT OF ACTS

Lectionary Text: Acts 1:1 -  In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning. . . .

I remember my reaction when the truth first dawned on me
        that the Bible was not just a myth but holy history.
I was reading in the Acts of the Apostles at the time,
        and the feeling that swept over me was, I should say, sublime.
So excited and inspired was I that, leaping from my chair,
        I went racing all around the room (nobody else was there).
“Thank you, God!” I kept repeating, for I knew what had occurred
        was the Holy Spirit speaking to me through the written word
in a manner that I never had experienced before.
        From that moment on with new elation I began to pore
over every page of Scripture, starting with the Book of Acts,
        which, although it is a book of faith, is also full of facts
of historical significance that make it come alive.
        Ever since that revelation I’ve been able to derive
inspiration and new insights from the Bible, for I find
        that it speaks not only to my heart but also to my mind.
Through the Spirit I have found that what the Bible writers say
        can illumine me in the most relevant and timely way.
Looking back on that experience I now can clearly see
        that the reading of Luke’s book was transformational for me.
It would be pure speculation, for there’s no way one can tell
        if the book had such an impact on Theophilus as well..