Excerpt from Acts 1:1-5

"In the first book...I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles..."

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell

At some point, Disciples turn into Apostles.

In today's passage, Jesus evolves the Disciples into Apostles, readying them to be sent out with a message (see that word "post" in "apostle"?  Just like the mail!).  I for one am glad they let it happen; if they had chosen not to change, Christianity would have died when they did.

What stage of Christian evolution are you in?  Do you go to church, try to live a good life, and leave it at that?  Or do you talk with other people about it as well?

For the sake of everyone else in the break room who doesn't know how sweet faith can be, isn't it time to stand up to that loud atheist/fundamentalist/whatever at work?

Or do what one member of my church does: she periodically sets her Facebook status to something like, "Can't wait for church tomorrow!  Anybody want to go with and then get brunch after?"  You'd be surprised how many take her up on it.  Or you could just be sure your FB profile lists your religion and a link to your church.  Or you could write a letter to the editor—explicitly as a Christian—on an issue of the day.  Or…well, you get the point: be creative.

Do you think Christianity—or your flavor of it—matters enough to be kept alive, or are you happy to let it die with you?  If the latter, then enjoy your discipleship.  If the former, it's time to evolve.

Prayer

God, grant me the Holy Spirit so that I might be strong for the sharing of your Word.  Amen.

Learn more about the original disciples in "The Book of Acts: A God is still speaking Bible Study," in 3 parts, by Anthony Robinson, Lillian Daniel, and Martin Copenhaver.

About the Author Quinn G. Caldwell is Associate Minister of Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts.