JOHN SHIRK – The book of Acts ends with an open-ended statement. 

“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is the last of the early church narrative in the Bible. There is something to be said about lasting impressions.  Our farewell picture of Paul in the book of Acts is carrying on the work of the Lord in the form of preaching and teaching.  He used what freedoms he had to be an influence on others for the sake of the Kingdom.

Could it be that the book ends this way to impress on us that our mission picks up where Paul’s mission ended? Like a relay race, the baton has been passed along to followers of Jesus today to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ boldly and without hindrance. This is how the church serves as a redemptive influence in the world. Paul gladly welcomed all who came to him. By doing the same, we can keep avenues of communication open so that others might come to faith in Jesus.

That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com