Words of Life: 5 Days in Acts 8Намуна

Day 1: We're on mission!

Read Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1-4

In this plan, we’re focusing on a life-changing meeting between a Christian called Philip and an Ethiopian man in Acts 8:26-40. But did you know that the background to that encounter is one of terrible persecution? As we look back at Acts 8:1 we see hatred towards Christians flooding out over Jerusalem after Stephen's death in Acts 7:54-60. Almost every Christian runs for their lives as Saul attempts to destroy the church (8:1-3).

But let’s not miss something extraordinary in these verses. Read 8:4 again. Out of this terrible time comes a most unexpected blessing. As the Christians leave Jerusalem, they preach the word, the good news about Jesus (8:4). The apostles, who were the leaders of the church and Jesus' specially commissioned eyewitnesses, were still in Jerusalem (8:1). The spread of the good news here comes from ordinary men and women. Despite the difficulties they face, they speak about what they believe. What looks like a moment of great weakness turns into a time of great gospel growth.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus gives a wonderful commission to His apostles before He returns to heaven. He promises that they will be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. In Acts 8, this promise is being fulfilled by ordinary Christians, people like us. This is our commission too. Whether we know it or not, embrace it or not, if we are Christians we’re witnesses to Jesus: we’re on mission.

To think and pray through:

• What does it mean for me to be on mission?
• If I considered myself on mission every day, how would that change the way I pray, think and live?