The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 1:1-5, “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,
2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.
3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’”

Luke, who is the author of the Gospel of Luke, is also the author of the Book of Acts. Theophilus, whose name means “lover of God,” is the one to whom the Book of Acts is addressed. Luke’s purpose in writing is to substantiate the proof of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection is incontrovertible proof that we have no other means of salvation than that of faith in Him.

Subsequent to His crucifixion, He presented Himself alive to His apostles for more than forty days. Five times in the Scriptures (Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:16; 2Cor. 13:1; 1Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28) it is stated that “two or three witnesses” are required to substantiate the truth of a matter. Thus, Christ’s followers numbered more than the number required to prove His Resurrection.

Faith alone is required for our salvation, as it was in New Testament times. Jesus Himself is the focal point of that faith. Yet, it’s not enough to just know that He lived and died and arose from the dead. He requires that we place trust in Him to forgive our sins. When we do, He immerses us with the Holy Spirit, making us His children and assuring us of a home with Him in Heaven.

Don’t let simple faith slip by you. “Believe in the LORD Jesus Christ” (Acts 11:17). He will make His presence known to you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom