Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Jesus performed miraculous acts of compassion during His early ministry. In His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, He won for us justification before God and an eternal kingdom. Mission accomplished!
Yet, in another sense, all that work was just a beginning. In Acts 1:1, St. Luke writes: 鈥淚n the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach鈥� (ESV). The 鈥渇irst book鈥� is his Gospel, the Gospel according to St. Luke. In that Gospel, Luke had reported concerning Jesus鈥� birth, ministry, death, resurrection, post-resurrection appearances and ascension into heaven. But in Acts, Luke says all that is what Jesus BEGAN to do and teach. Acts then recounts 28 chapters of the spread of the Gospel in the earliest days of the church, all of which is the continuing work of Jesus Christ and His Spirit in the world, to bring forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation to men.
The crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ did not stop saving people when He ascended into heaven. Truly Jesus Himself is still at work in His Church today as He comes to people through His Word and Sacraments.
During the Easter season, the church鈥檚 schedule of Sunday readings regularly has passages from the book of Acts. We will hear stories of the apostles proclaiming the Word and of God working through that Word to create faith and to call people to Himself. The church continues to proclaim the same Word, preaching the same Gospel of our Lord Jesus鈥� death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and the hope of everlasting life.
What a privilege we have at SA国际传媒 to be a part of this great work of our Savior and to prepare those who will proclaim this Word and show forth the love and mercy of Jesus. There is no greater news than the love of God in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the part that you play in Jesus鈥� ongoing work by His Word and Spirit. I am so grateful for your labor in Christ鈥檚 name and pray for you regularly.
May the resurrection of Jesus, according to the Scriptures, give you joy and peace.
In Christ鈥檚 love,
Thomas J. Egger
President