If you have a printed version of The Message translation, the beginning of the book of Acts will have this introduction written by Eugene.
Acts
Because the story of Jesus is so impressive—God among us! God speaking a language we can
understand! God acting in ways that heal and help and save us!—there is a danger that we will be
impressed, but only be impressed. As the spectacular dimensions of this story slowly (or suddenly) dawn
upon us, we could easily become enthusiastic spectators, and then let it go at that—become admirers of
Jesus, generous with our oohs and aahs, and in our better moments inspired to imitate him.
It is Luke's task to prevent that, to prevent us from becoming mere spectators of Jesus, fans of the
Message. Of the original quartet of writers on Jesus, Luke alone continues to tell the story as the apostles
and disciples live it into the next generation. The remarkable thing is that it continues to be essentially the
same story. Luke continues his narration with hardly a break—just a pause, perhaps, to dip his pen in the
inkwell—writing in the same style, using the same vocabulary.
The story of Jesus doesn't end with Jesus. It continues in the lives of those who believe in him. The
supernatural does not stop with Jesus. Luke makes it clear that these Christians he wrote about were no
more spectators of Jesus than Jesus was a spectator of God—they are in on the action of God, God acting
in them, God living in them. Which also means, of course, in us.
To the Ends of the World
"Dear Theophilus"
Theophilus - origin is the Greek word Θεόφιλος from θεός (God) and φιλία (love or affection) can be translated as "Love of God" or "Friend of God"
The purpose of the book of Acts is to provide a historical account of the early church, to demonstrate the continuity between the ministry of Jesus and the early church, and to encourage its readers to remain faithful to the gospel. The fact that Luke addresses the book to Theophilus is an indication that he may have had a specific reader in mind, although the identity of this person remains uncertain. There is debate as to weather Theophilus was an actual person, or as the names meaning may indicate, written to whomever would lend and ear.
The book of Acts Chapter 1 starts with a letter from Luke to Theophilus, explaining that in the first volume of the book, he wrote about everything that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up to heaven. Jesus appeared to the apostles after his death and spent forty days with them, discussing the kingdom of God. He told them to wait for the Holy Spirit and to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and all over the world. On the last day, he was taken up to heaven and disappeared in a cloud. Two men in white robes appeared and told the apostles that Jesus will come back just as mysteriously as he left.
“He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.””
Acts 1:7-8 MSG
The Pentecost is a significant event in the New Testament of the Bible. It happened 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The disciples of Jesus, along with other followers, were gathered in Jerusalem for the celebration of the Jewish festival of Pentecost. Suddenly, a sound like a strong wind filled the room, and each person present was filled with the Holy Spirit and started speaking in different languages. The people present in Jerusalem, who were from different countries, were all able to understand what the disciples were saying in their own language. This event marked the beginning of the spread of the Christian message to the world and the establishment of the early church.
The Jewish festival of Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot, is a religious observance that takes place 50 days after the second day of Passover. It is considered one of the three major agricultural festivals in Judaism, and celebrates the wheat harvest in Israel. Additionally, it marks the day that God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai, according to tradition. During the festival, Jewish people attend synagogue services, read from the Torah, and engage in other spiritual activities to commemorate the event.
Christians observe Pentecost as a celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the formation of the early Christian Church. It is observed fifty days after Easter, typically with special worship services and a focus on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. Some churches may hold baptisms or confirmations on Pentecost, and there may be a special emphasis on prayer and the sharing of personal testimony. The colors of the day are typically red, symbolizing the fire and power of the Holy Spirit, and white, symbolizing the purity of the Church.
Returning to Jerusalem
After watching Jesus ascend into the sky, and talking with some Angels about it, they decide to head back to Jerusalem.
“So they left the mountain called Olives and returned to Jerusalem. It was a little over half a mile. They went to the upper room they had been using as a meeting place:
Peter,
John,
James,
Andrew,
Philip,
Thomas,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
James, son of Alphaeus,
Simon the Zealot,
Judas, son of James.
They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:12-14 MSG
Replacing Judas
This section recaps that Judas's betrayal of Jesus was prophesied and that Judas had fallen into temptation and also lets us know how he had died and that that was also prophesied in Psalms 109 and Psalms 69
Psalms 69:25: "May their camp be desolate; let no one live in their tents."
Psalms 109:8: "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership."
They decide to draw straws to pick Judas Replacement and the position goes to Matthias.
Whats important to notice here is that they picked an eye witness and also spent time in prayer asking God to show them who would replace Judas.
Job 40
“God then confronted Job directly: “Now what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?””
Job 40:1-2 MSG
Job Answers God - I'm Ready to Shut Up and Listen
“Job answered: “I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I’ve talked too much, way too much. I’m ready to shut up and listen.””
Job 40:3-5 MSG
God's Second Set of Questions
In God's questioning of Job, God speaks to Job from the eye of the storm. God questions Job's ability to understand his actions and criticizes Job for presuming to tell him what he's doing wrong. God challenges Job to prove his worth and show what he is made of. He asks Job to target the wicked and the arrogant, and to save himself if he can, with no help from God.
He then describes this really incredible creature. . .
““Look at the land beast, Behemoth. I created him as well as you. Grazing on grass, docile as a cow— Just look at the strength of his back, the powerful muscles of his belly. His tail sways like a cedar in the wind; his huge legs are like beech trees. His skeleton is made of steel, every bone in his body hard as steel. Most magnificent of all my creatures, but I still lead him around like a lamb! The grass-covered hills serve him meals, while field mice frolic in his shadow. He takes afternoon naps under shade trees, cools himself in the reedy swamps, Lazily cool in the leafy shadows as the breeze moves through the willows. And when the river rages he doesn’t budge, stolid and unperturbed even when the Jordan goes wild. But you’d never want him for a pet— you’d never be able to housebreak him!””
Job 40:15-24 MSG
Job 41
I Run This Universe
In Job 41:1-34, God speaks to Job from the eye of the storm and asks Job some questions. God is referring to the sea beast Leviathan and describing its immense power and strength. Leviathan is described as being armored and invulnerable, with a powerful and intimidating appearance that even angels fear. The text mentions that there is nothing on earth quite like Leviathan and that it is king of the ocean and the deep. The message of the passage seems to be that Leviathan is a powerful and formidable creature, and that it is foolish to imagine that one could ever hope to defeat it.
Just read it again
““Or can you pull in the sea beast, Leviathan, with a fly rod and stuff him in your creel? Can you lasso him with a rope, or snag him with an anchor? Will he beg you over and over for mercy, or flatter you with flowery speech? Will he apply for a job with you to run errands and serve you the rest of your life? Will you play with him as if he were a pet goldfish? Will you make him the mascot of the neighborhood children? Will you put him on display in the market and have shoppers haggle over the price? Could you shoot him full of arrows like a pin cushion, or drive harpoons into his huge head? If you so much as lay a hand on him, you won’t live to tell the story. What hope would you have with such a creature? Why, one look at him would do you in! If you can’t hold your own against his glowering visage, how, then, do you expect to stand up to me? Who could confront me and get by with it? I’m in charge of all this—I run this universe! “But I’ve more to say about Leviathan, the sea beast, his enormous bulk, his beautiful shape. Who would even dream of piercing that tough skin or putting those jaws into bit and bridle? And who would dare knock at the door of his mouth filled with row upon row of fierce teeth? His pride is invincible; nothing can make a dent in that pride. Nothing can get through that proud skin— impervious to weapons and weather, The thickest and toughest of hides, impenetrable! “He snorts and the world lights up with fire, he blinks and the dawn breaks. Comets pour out of his mouth, fireworks arc and branch. Smoke erupts from his nostrils like steam from a boiling pot. He blows and fires blaze; flames of fire stream from his mouth. All muscle he is—sheer and seamless muscle. To meet him is to dance with death. Sinewy and lithe, there’s not a soft spot in his entire body— As tough inside as out, rock-hard, invulnerable. Even angels run for cover when he surfaces, cowering before his tail-thrashing turbulence. Javelins bounce harmlessly off his hide, harpoons ricochet wildly. Iron bars are so much straw to him, bronze weapons beneath notice. Arrows don’t even make him blink; bullets make no more impression than raindrops. A battle ax is nothing but a splinter of kindling; he treats a brandished harpoon as a joke. His belly is armor-plated, inexorable— unstoppable as a barge. He roils deep ocean the way you’d boil water, he whips the sea like you’d whip an egg into batter. With a luminous trail stretching out behind him, you might think Ocean had grown a gray beard! There’s nothing on this earth quite like him, not an ounce of fear in that creature! He surveys all the high and mighty— king of the ocean, king of the deep!””
Job 41:1-34 MSG
Psalms 29
What a great Psalm to go right after Job 40 & 41
God is praised for his power and majesty, and is depicted as thundering across the waters and shaking the mountains and forests. People fall to their knees in awe and call out for God's glory. God makes his people strong and gives them peace, ruling the world from his throne with his power flowing from it.
“Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!” In awe before the glory, in awe before God’s visible power. Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor him! God thunders across the waters, Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness— God, across the flood waters. God’s thunder tympanic, God’s thunder symphonic. God’s thunder smashes cedars, God topples the northern cedars. The mountain ranges skip like spring colts, The high ridges jump like wild kid goats. God’s thunder spits fire. God thunders, the wilderness quakes; He makes the desert of Kadesh shake. God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches. We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!” Above the floodwaters is God’s throne from which his power flows, from which he rules the world. God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.”
Psalms 29:1-11 MSG
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