CRATE DETAILS
- “For God So Loved the World” Desktop Fish Plaque (MSRP $12.99)
- “New Creation” Canvas Bracelet (MSRP $7.99)
- “A Moment with God for Graduates” Gift Book (MSRP $9.99)
- “Here We Go! God’s Roadmap for You” Book (MSRP $12.99)
- “For I Know the Plans I have got You” Wood Plaque with hanger & stand (MSRP $5.99)
- Graduation Owl Figurine (MSRP $9.99)
- “God’s Best for a Father’s Success” Inspirational Gift Book (MSRP $4.99)
- Father’s Day Bookmarks (2)
Crate News
In 2017 we will highlight a book from the Bible each month.
This month we are highlighting
The Book of Acts
Acts
WHO WROTE THIS BOOK?
The same witnesses who identify Luke as the author of the Book of Luke also name him as the author of Acts.
TO WHOM WAS THIS BOOK WRITTEN?
Acts 1:1 addresses this book to the same person – Theophilus – as was addressed in the beginning of the Book of Luke (see Luke 1:3). The ultimate audience is both Jews and non-Jews of the last third of the first century.
WHERE WAS IT WRITTEN?
Assuming that Luke was with the apostle Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment, which is the point at which the Book of Acts ends, it is likely that this book was written at Rome.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?
Since no reference is made to events after A.D. 63, this is the probable date of its writing.
WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT?
As Acts 1:8 suggests, this book is about Jesus’ followers fulfilling his command for them to carry the Good News about him from Jerusalem to the entire world. It is the story of the birth of the church at Penecost. And it tells the story of how the apostles and other followers accomplished their task in only thirty years. The ministries of the apostles Peter and Paul are highlighted in the book, along with the first deacons and James. Acts, true to its name, is a book of exciting actions and happenings of the church in the first century.
WHY WAS THIS BOOK WRITTEN?
The Book of Acts was written as a bridge between the four accounts of the Good News (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and the letters of the apostles (Romans – Jude). It was written to show the ministry of the Holy Spirit in establishing the earthly church and carrying out the ministry of Christ in this world. It teaches us a history of the spread of the Good News to the world. And it guides us in the proper establishment of local churches and carrying out missionary activities.
SO WHAT DOES THIS BOOK MEAN TO US?
Christ’s commission to his followers has not changed; it has not been repealed. We, as Christians, are still responsible for taking the Good News of Jesus with us into the whole world – to every people, to every nation, to every nook and cranny of the earth. At the same time, Jesus’ promise to be with us as we go is also still in effect. The Holy Spirit, who empowered and directed the first-century Christians, still empowers and directs us today as we go into our world for the Lord.
SUMMARY:
As the second volume of Luke’s two-part series (see Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3), The Book of Acts continues the story of the spread of the Good News following Jesus’ resurrection. In our New Testament, Acts comes between the four accounts of the Good News and a lengthy section of letters to specific churches. Acts thus provides a bridge from the ministry of Jesus to the concrete problems faced by followers of Jesus as they formed small house churches throughout the Roman world. Acts also demonstrates the success of Jesus’ vision, as his ministry in the region of Palestine (known as Galilee) is expanded so that it embraces the whole world.
Like the Book of Luke, Acts is primarily about salvation: God’s purpose to bring salvation in all of its fullness to all people. A number of themes are developed under this general heading.
The primary force in the spread of the Good News is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers and directs those who are involved in the mission. In fact, every time the mission has a fresh beginning or new twist, it is because of the activity of the Holy Spirit leading the church into new frontiers of mission. Moreover, the Holy Spirit indwells believers, making them one people and proving to those who doubt that even non-Jews are to be counted among the family of God.
Throughout the Book of Acts, the church struggles to catch up with God. In spite of the teaching of Jesus that had formed their early days as followers,these vagabond followers of Jesus seem continually to be surprised by the new things God is doing. Through references to the Old Testament, through visions and dreams, through the voice of prophets, and through other means, God repeatedly works to teach those early Christians how he is bringing his purpose to completion in sometimes surprising ways.
The vision for the mission is clear: from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to every part of the world (Acts 1:8). Jewish thinking about the end time often focused on the coming of all the nations to worship God in Jerusalem. In his parting words to his followers, Jesus turns this idea around, insisting that God’s grace has gone out from Jerusalem to the rest of the world, and God’s people must do the same. Every boundary must be crossed as people are challenged with the Good News of salvation.
Salvation in Acts has both personal and social implications. Above all else, salvation means membership in the new community of those who serve the will of God. Baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit are both related to membership in this growing family of believers. Salvation in Acts is also presented as the forgiveness of sins; forgiveness means both restored relationship with God, and also admission or readmission into the group of those who follow Jesus.
Early in Acts, we learn that the early community participated in the sharing of their money and other possessions. This was not a requirement for membership in the community, but a demonstration of the unity of the church, as though its members shared life together as a family.
Finally, Acts repeatedly tells the story of how Christians encountered difficulty in thier dealings with the authorities. Paul is brought before public hearings again and again, just as Peter and John had been brought up on charges before him. As Acts tells the story, Christians should not necessarily expect trouble from authorities; instead, Christians are encouraged to maintain complete allegiance to God even when human authorities oppose them.
This month’s Crate contains items for the special person you know who is graduating soon.
With Father’s Day approaching (June 18th), you will also find gifts in your Crate for the special father you know.
And as if that weren’t enough!….There are a few items included that we hope you will find useful, for yourself or as a gift to someone else.
As always, you can certainly keep all of your Crate’s contents for yourself, but we also like to suggest that you think of someone who’s life you’d like to touch and give them a gift from your Crate this month.
We hope that you will enjoy all of the contents of your Crate, that we bring a smile to your face and that something in your Crate will inspire you to explore your relationship with God on a deeper level.
Until your next Crate arrives…we wish you many blessed days!
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