I have been told by many people that history is not being taught in schools and pictures like the above tend to confirm this. How can any intelligent person NOT KNOW about Nazi Germany and the horrors of World War II? Well, if you do not know history, you might not. Practically since the first day I started worshipping with the Southside church of Christ in Zephyrhills, I have been exposed to a lot of it. Why? Because one of the ministers there is a HISTORY BUFF!!! And knowing history is a good thing- it helps in not repeating the same mistakes previous generations have done. When I hear the word history, I think of a great man, departed from this world to be with Jesus- John P. Bizzell Jr.. A little man (of only 5 feet) he had a spirituality about him that I remember to this day. And when he began to teach me his series of Bible History classes, he started by holding up a sign- HISTORY, HIS-STORY!!! When you think about it, Jesus affected history like no other and our New Testament reflects this; namely in the books of Luke and Acts....
Luke, Chapter 1
1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, 2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
AND
Acts, Chapter 1
1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom. 4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
These two books, taken together, form a summary of the beginnings of Christianity. And those beginnings are worth reading again and again because it is worth knowing. From a few apostles to a world wide religion, the spread of Christianity has been a phenomenon! Literally, thousands of witness and the sacrifice of an untold number of martyrs attest to the truth of what is written in the New Testament. Take some time, read Luke (preferably in one sitting) and then Acts later on. You will be glad you did!!! Don't want to- OK, but remember the helmet above...