Narrative Lectionary Bible Study for 04 14 20; Acts 1:1-14

Emmanuel UCC Narrative Lectionary Bible Study
Rev. George Miller

April 14, 2020
Acts 1:1-14

Welcome to our weekly N.L.B.S. Remember-
1) All thoughts are welcome; no one knows it all.
2) There are many, many kinds of Bibles
3) There is fact and there is truth.
4) It’s Ok when beliefs are challenged; wrestling with your faith is a cornerstone of Christianity.

Take a moment to read Sunday’s text, Acts 1:1-14
Take a breath to clear your head.

1st thing you may ask is “Who is Theophilus?”
2nd thing you may ask is “What did the Resurrected Christ do for those 40 days?”

Now, let’s do some history. Acts is written by the same author of Luke; a sequel of sorts. Whereas Mark was written during 70 CE as the city was being destroyed, Luke/Acts was perhaps written around 90 CE. The Temple has been long gone and the church is still in early formation.

Acts is a beautiful, exciting, inspiring book about how this rag tag group of disciples who were often stumbling over themselves and being perpetual Left Sharks somehow, someway were able to do the ministry of Christ on God’s earth, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Now, to answer the above two questions.

The author is writing to Theophilus. But no one knows who this historical Theophilus is.

It turns out that Theophilus means “Lover of God” or/and “Beloved Of God.”

Here is what’s so cool- some scholars believe that WE are all Theophilus; that the author was not writing to one person, but to all people, in all times, in all places, in all circumstances.

Meaning that WE are ALL Theophilus! Beloved of God/Love of God.

2nd- What did the resurrected Christ do for those 40 days? Most likely what Jesus did best- he ate and drank!

Though not all Bibles have it, there are copies of the scripture that reads in vs. 4 “While Jesus was eating with them, he ordered them not to leave…”

How cool is that? And how much more so does it validate the importance the ability to share a meal and partake in the Lord’s Supper really is.

Well, this is enough for now. I hope you have a safe day and happy wrestling.

May today’s study be a blessing to you.
Much love, Pastor George