Act On It

Guest post from Shawn Stutz:

Lately I have been reading the book of Acts.  It truly is a stunning book of miracles, divine messages, and bold messengers—as well as persecuting opponents. The gospel narrative is the launching pad and honest good-news living becomes the thrust of the book’s content. This first century marvel tells of life after death, missionaries and witches, conspiracies and conversions, and jail-breaks and shipwrecks. This second letter of Luke is full of adventure, wonder, and mystery.

After a recent re-reading of the book, I have found myself asking the question, “Why does the church of Acts seem so awesome, magical even, compared with much of church today?”  In fact, I proceeded to post this very question on Facebook.  It was somewhat in hopes of finding the perfect answer, but mostly looking to start a good conversation.  The results were sparse; a few ‘likes’ and mentions of misguided theology or rampant consumerism.

But what is the real answer?  Why is it that the stories contained in the 28 chapters of Acts seem so vivid and grand? Are these the SportsCenter Top Ten highlights of the early church? Is this a prescriptive book or a descriptive one; telling us how it should be or how it was? Should I be looking for demons to cast out? How powerful is my shadow really (Acts 5:15)? Can a prayer meeting truly shake a building or can I expect songs and an earthquake to rattle me free from my modern-day prison?  Is it my faith or “lack thereof” that is the real issue here?

Personally, I believe the real issue is my faith. I don’t know that I fully believe what I read in these scriptures could or will happen today. Maybe they could be found in some remote village in Papa New Guinea or in some tribal location in Africa where the natives live and the gospel is so radically new—but not here, not in America… right?

Why not? Is the Holy Spirit not the same? Is the Great Commission any different? Is Jesus interceding for us less now than He did for His first disciples? I think we’d all say “no” to these questions, but then still choose to live so far less.  In fact, I’d go as far to say that at times I’ve dismissed all healing to doctors, world outreach to missionaries, evangelism to “Come-&-See” big-church events, and righteousness to a list of proper Christian behaviors.

If we truly are the adopted Sons and Daughters of the Most High God, raised to new life by the power of the Holy Spirit, and created to do the good work of the kingdom, then let’s believe it.  Let’s live it. May the ACTS of today’s church be just as memorable! Instead of sex scandals and money laundering, may we be known for our shared truth and how we meet the needs of the body of Christ, with one heart.  And if I doubt it, even a second, remind me that God is not the one who changed, it’s me.

I don’t know about you, but I’m beginning to pray for a new Pentecost of the Western Church. And what I mean mostly by that is that I am praying for God to change me—a pastor often bound by the institutions of paralyzing Christianity. Can you relate?

(Shawn is currently the pastor of young adult ministries at Big Valley Grace Community Church in Modesto, California. I had the privilege of being a part of his college/young adult ministry in the summer of 06 while interning at Big Valley. He tweets, blogs, speaks, and rides his bike a lot, even in the 110 degree weather provided in Modesto.)