The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. Acts 1:1
What is the most important word in today’s text? It all depends on your perspective. In this verse, Dr.Luke is referring to his previous book, the Gospel that bears his name. Both Luke and Acts were written to his friend Theophilus, Luke to relate the details of the life, ministry, and death of the Lord Jesus, and Acts to relate what Jesus’ followers did after their Lord returned to Heaven. While it may not be the most important word in the verse, the word ‘began’ is a very important key to the book of Acts.
By referring to what the Lord Jesus began to do and teach, Luke is telling us that our Lord’s beginning had a following. What the Lord Jesus began, others continued. The things that Jesus did and taught in the company of His disciples during His years of ministry were put into practice in the book of Acts. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those disciples remembered the miracles, the sermons, the debates and question periods, the many illustrations, and of course the details of the arrest, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of their Lord. And they spilled their own life’s blood to fulfill His command: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you’ -Matthew 28:19,20. And that was it? No.
That word ‘began’ rings down through the centuries to you and me today. Gospel preachers and faithful missionaries are still preaching the Gospel and carrying the message of all that Jesus did and taught. Untold millions of Christians are living in godly testimony to what they have learned of Christ. There is a role and a responsibility for us here. And what that role is for each of us is between us and our Lord. What we are and do for Him He will make plain to us as we submit to what He did and taught.
Is what Jesus began to do and teach continuing in my life? In yours? -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/lwnBfsj7guY