An Awesome Book

 ¹⁵ In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶ and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷ He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

 ²⁰ “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:
   “‘May his place be deserted;
   let there be no one to dwell in it,’
   and,   “‘May another take his place of leadership.'"-Acts 1:15-17, 20


When the early church was getting started they didn't have the Bible as we know it.  Their Bible was the Jewish Scriptures that we know as our Old Testament.  The New Testament had not yet been written because it is mostly made up of letters that Paul and some of the other church leaders wrote to churches in different cities.  What they had to do then, was interpret the existing Scriptures differently from the way they had before.  Can you imagine the divisions that would (and does) cause in the Christian church today?  


In the first chapter of the Book of Acts, Peter takes on the role of interpreter of Scripture in light of the contemporary realities of his time.  Really?  You mean we can take into account contemporary realities when we interpret Scripture today?  God can speak to us outside of his written word to interpret his written word in a new way in order to do new things?


I think it's good that they had to kind of play it by ear... an ear to God's voice... while forming the early church.  If they had had the New Testament already, they might have put God in a box rather quickly and  the Christian church may have ended up being founded on judgment, fear and uncertainty rather than grace, love and faith. 


The Bible is important.  It is absolutely God's word and a gift of love to us.  But we have to keep the ears of our heart open as we read it.  God is still speaking!  The amazing thing about this awesome book is its power to speak to us through the ages.  It grows as we grow. It speaks in new ways as we face new circumstances.  It is as alive and vibrant as we are.  We have to be willing to let go of the old when we hear God speak the new.


Father,
Unbind the chains of our heart that we may hear you speak new things to a world that is constantly changing.  Amen.


Joys:  The safety of Chelsea's grandparents and loved ones who made it safely out of a devastating house fire; Dylan's confirmation faith talk; covered-dish luncheons