Acts: A Bridge To Grace

The Acts of The Apostles, commonly referred to as the book of Acts, can arguably be considered one of the most important, if not the most important books of the most divine writing ever scripted, the Holy Bible. While Genesis contains the answers to man’s question, “Where did I come from ?”, Acts provides it’s reader with information about where man’s future lies. The key to that future, Jesus Christ, is proclaimed to the world as the guiding light that will lead us toward eternity. All we have to do is accept and believe in our hearts that He is the Messiah, the Christ, The Son of God, our Savior who suffered and died on a cross for man’s iniquities, was buried in a virgin tomb, and rose three days later;

Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

While the Gospels provide us with details of the birth, life, and death of Jesus, Acts clarifies the reason he walked the Earth as a God in the flesh;

Acts4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Most importantly, the Book of Acts provides it’s reader with a connection between the Old and New Testaments. The New Testament does not officially begin until the book of Acts;

Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 9:17 For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

It is a book that explains the transition from the Law of God to the Age of Grace. God offers the Jewish people one last chance to accept Him as their King. When they refuse and stiffen their necks, God places the Jewish peoples and the plan He has for them on hold. He then turns toward the Gentiles. In essence, our Lord begins the Age of Grace. Jesus becomes our Mediator. His existence provides us with a conduit to the Father, our Blessed Lord, God. We now do not live under the Law of God;

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. We as Christians are allowed to live and breath by the Holy Grace of God.

When I was a young Christian, I could not understand how preachers would say that through Jesus’ death the Grace age began. I would look into the Gospels and read John talking about Grace for Grace. Later, of course I would realize that John wrote his book as a reflection and testament to the Savior, Jesus. He was a witness to the birth of the Gentiles into the family of God. He witnessed and received the Holy Ghost that wonderful day on the Porch of Solomon. What a wonderful feeling that must have been . To have your body filled with the spirit of God. To be there at the beginning. We today are capable of experiencing that feeling. There is no cost, sorry Simon the Sorcerer, you couldn’t buy it then and you cannot buy it now. We must only accept Jesus as our Savior and allow him to cleanse of spirit.

Before the Holy Ghost’s arrival, the Jewish people were looking for The Messiah to set up His Kingdom. The disciples themselves asked Jesus when He would do it. When Stephen was stoned I believe God was ready to send Jesus back. This was the third time He had offered the Kingdom to the Jews:

1. Adam was created and provided with all his needs in the Garden of Eden. God intended man to live in paradise. Unfortunately Adam chose to sin and cursed his seed with the fall from Grace. You see, Grace is not new. God and His omnipresence has always been a loving graceful God.

2. Samuel offered the Jews the option of accepting God as their King but the Jews wanted a King they could see. They reject our Creator and chose Saul.

1Sa 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

3. The Jews rejected Jesus and His Kingdom when they killed Stephen.

Ac 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

Jesus is standing beside God ready to come back; to sit on the throne of David. Everywhere else He is seen as sitting beside our Lord . Here Jesus is standing poised to step back to set up His Earthly Kingdom. Alas, it did not happen. The Jewish people rejected God. Now God is dealing with the Gentiles. At one time not only had God decided to ignore dealing with the Gentiles, He specifically instructed the disciples to stay away from them ;