TO DO AND TO TEACH: WHEN TEACHING IS NOT ENOUGH

Acts 1:1 NET
I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach

Dear Believer,

Luke the Doctor wrote the book of Acts to a man named Theophilus. This man was an official of the Roman Government.

He had apparently taken interest in the Christian faith, and Luke had written a ‘former account’ (which we now know as the Gospel of Luke) to Theophilus to let him understand how the whole thing began.

Luke says in former account, he wrote about what Jesus began ‘to do and to teach.’ This new account, known as the Acts of the Apostles,’ is also a book of doing. That is why it is called ‘Acts.’

Luke knew that a Roman soldier wasn’t going to be impressed by someone’s teachings alone. In those days, there were many lazy people calling themselves philosophers and teachers. The Greeks had many of them. They wrapped their toga around themselves, looking serious and gathering pupils to whom they taught impracticable principles. Rome had defeated the Greeks, so their philosophies didn’t impress Rome.

The Jews also had their own Rabbis too, many of whom did nothing but gather pupils. They put a spin on every verse of the Jewish scripture and had endless arguments. The Romans weren’t impressed. After all, their talks didn’t help them when Rome came to take over their land.

So Luke didn’t just write to Theophilus about what Jesus said or taught. That wouldn’t have impressed the hardened warrior and diplomat. Luke wrote to him about what Jesus began, first to do, and then to teach.

Jesus was a doer first. That must sink into our consciousness. True Christianity is not a ‘talkfest.’ Action is the foundation of the ministry God has given us.

Jesus did what people could see. That was why what he said made sense to them.

When Evangelist Philip went down to Samaria, he preached Christ to them. But he did more than just speak.

Act 8:6 KJV
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

They gave heed to what he said because they saw what he did.

Believer, you must endeavor to walk in the manifestation of the Word of God. Pray and walk by faith to let God work out His Word in you. It is not enough to speak it, you have to do it.

James 1:22 KJV
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The word must be done, not just heard or spoken!

Until the world starts seeing the manifestation of God’s Word at the hands and in the lives of Believers, the Christian faith will only seem to them like one of the world’s philosophies or religions.

Don’t just read the Word, work out what you read by faith. That is the testimony the world needs to see.

I ask that the Lord work His power through you by the Holy Spirit, that you do the Word and not just talk about it, in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

Have a great day.

Your friend,
Deon.