Acts

Amy and I went to a church "orientation" seminar recently. Basically just a few hours where people who were new to the church (we have only been attending for about 2 months) can learn more about the minsitries they offer, and about the doctrine and church history that the PCA comes from.

Sidenote to what I want to post on: why don't more churches offer that sort of thing? We went through the history of doctrine and what our church believes in pretty great detail. It was very interesting, challenging at a few points, and really let me know why the church does what it does!

But anyway...

During the course of that time, our pastor said something interesting.

He said that one of the most important things that Jesus did is one of the things that Christians today don't have any emphasis on. We all celebrate Christmas (His birth) some denominations celebrate some of the events in his life. We all celebrate Easter (his death and ressurection), but then we leave it.

One of the most important things that Jesus did was to ascend to heaven. He said "It is better for you if I go."

Why is it better? Because now, instead of having God on earth in the form of Jesus (God incarnate) we have the Holy Spirit, who is available to fill all believers!

Isn't that cool?! The book of Acts, he said, is a Gospel, just like the others. Instead of being a gospel written about the incarnate minsitry of Christ, it is a gospel about the effect Jesus ascended ministry has on earth!

If you read Acts, you will see that it is all about Christ doing things in peoples lives, but He is doing it through ordinary people; the apostles!

And you know what? The same thing happens today. That is why we really should celebrate and have an emphasis on the ascended minsitry of Christ through the Holy Spirit. He is RISEN, but He is still working through you and I.

Amy and I just thought that was cool:)