Introduction

Acts 1:1 "In my former book, Theophilus, 1 wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach . . . ".

In the Gospel of Luke, Luke's `former book', we learn what Jesus `began' to do and teach. What Jesus did and taught was, in the first place, to grant the nation of Israel the privilege of seeing and hearing about the greatness of the God of Israel.

In chapter 23 of the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament we hear that God making His promises to His people Israel. Eleven times God said it: I will, I will ! Then, in chapter 24 of the same Book, verse 3, we hear Israel's response, "they responded with one voice `Everything the Lord has said WE will do'"

Then, in Isaiah chapter 6 we read about the mind of God, about His people Israel: Verse 9: "He said, (Isaiah) `Go and tell this people: Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.

Verse 10: Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears., understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed' ".

Jesus began to do and teach. To the nation of Israel, by many marvelous miracles, He presented His credentials. But Israel would not see and hear. Israel crucified her God sent Messiah.

In `But God ! His powerful works through the Acts of the Apostles' we will see how Israel persisted in her rebellious ways. However, this writer's desire is that his readers may, above all, see the glorious greatness of Israel's God, the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Through `The Acts of the Apostles' we travel through a set period of time, that began on the day of Pentecost, when the time for The Acts of the Apostles did begin.. That time did end on the day when the last of the apostles died. During that time for The Acts of the Apostles, God's attention and actions was gradually transferred from the nation of Israel to the Church of the Lord Jesus.

Once that Church has become complete God will again take up His work with Israel and the nations. His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be carried out in full. Today, all over the world, He is still building the Church, which came into existence on the day of Pentecost.

All God's wonderful works through the Acts of the Apostles, primarily were to convict and convince still recalcitrant Israel. Secondly, to draw glory for Himself and His dear Son from the hearts and lips of His chosen apostles and all the just newborn Christians.

May He do so from our hearts and lips, in these days.

H.C.K.