Empowered for a Purpose

🌟 Empowered for a Purpose: The Mission of the Early Church 🌟 

Join us as we explore the incredible journey of the early church through Acts 1:1-8 and Luke 24:44-49. Discover how Jesus prepared His disciples for a mission that would change the world and how that same mission applies to us today. 

🔍 Key Takeaways: 

Understand the role of the Holy Spirit as our helper and guide.  Learn about the 40 days Jesus spent with His disciples after His resurrection, preparing them for their mission.  Discover the significance of being a witness for Christ in your local community and beyond.  Explore the promise of power from the Holy Spirit to carry out God's work. 

📖 Scripture Focus: 

Acts 1:1-8: Jesus' final instructions and the promise of the Holy Spirit.  Luke 24:44-49: Jesus opens the disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures and commissions them to spread the message.  🙏 Get Involved: Reflect on how you can be a witness in your own life. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's encourage one another in our faith journey. 

GLOSSARY OF NEW TERMS 

Acts of the Apostles (Acts): A book in the New Testament that details the early church's formation and the apostles' work after Jesus' resurrection and ascension. 

Apostles: The primary disciples of Jesus, who were sent out to preach the gospel and establish the early church. 

Baptism: A Christian sacrament of initiation and purification involving the use of water, symbolizing the believer's faith in Jesus Christ. 

Great Commission: Jesus' command to His disciples to spread His teachings to all the nations of the world, found in Matthew 28:18-20. 

Holy Spirit: The third person of the Trinity, who is sent to guide, comfort, and empower believers in their faith journey. 

Paraclete: A term used in the New Testament to refer to the Holy Spirit, meaning "helper" or "advocate." 

Resurrection: The act of Jesus rising from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion, a foundational event in Christian belief. 

Theophilus: A person to whom the books of Luke and Acts are addressed, possibly a high-ranking official or a symbolic representation of a "lover of God." 

Witness: In a Christian context, someone who testifies to the truth of Jesus Christ and His teachings through words and actions. 

Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Ends of the Earth: Geographic and symbolic references in Acts 1:8 representing the spread of the gospel from local to global reach. 

Numerology (Biblical): The study of numbers in the Bible, which often have symbolic meanings, such as the number 40 representing a period of testing or preparation. 

Salvation: The deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Gospel: The "good news" of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, and the message of salvation through Him. 

Disciples: Followers of Jesus who learn from His teachings and strive to live according to His example. 

Ascension: The event of Jesus being taken up to heaven after His resurrection, marking the end of His earthly ministry. 

These terms provide a foundational understanding for those new to Christianity or exploring the faith.