God's Choice of Witnesses

As I begin to lead you through this long chapter in the book of Acts, I want to direct your attention to the fact that the work of the Lord in missions, in the days of the early Church, was something that the God of Israel chose should take place. Indeed the whole witness of the Church, both Old Testament and New, has always been based upon God's choice of how this good work of witnessing should be done. This is what we need to understand in our days as well, so that we will not grow weary or discouraged in the work of the Lord, but rather always be abounding in it. So, 1st of all – In verses 13-15 I would like to show you that the Lord the Holy Spirit chose the particular men who would do the work of missions; those who would bear witness to His name. 2nd – I would like to show you from Paul's preaching in verses 16-19, that in Old Testament times God chose the fathers and exalted the people of Israel to be witnesses to the nations in that day and this. And then, 3rd – I would like to show you from Paul's preaching in verses 20-23, that God chose to give Israel judges and kings to bear witness to the truth of the glory of Christ as Savior and Lord.