Two weeks ago, we considered a common question that is often raised about where to start reading the Bible. There may be a variety of answers to that question, but starting anywhere in the book is great. Last week, I shared my favorite answer to give to folks who ask where to start reading—I encourage them to begin with the book of John. It is a great book designed to build faith in the Son of God.
So, what about after that? If someone begins reading the Bible with the book of John, where should they go after the book of John? Again, many good answers could be given, including going from there to Genesis and reading it from beginning to end. But I usually tell folks, “And after you’ve read the book of John, you’re right there, so take your time and read through the book of Acts, which is the next book.” And then I give them some reasons for doing such.
The book of Acts shows God’s eternal plan coming into reality. The “eternal purpose” of God was to bring His church to this earth (Eph. 3:9-11). In the Old Testament, you read prophecies and preparations for His church (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Isa. 2:2-4; 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44), and in the early pages of the New Testament, you read John the Baptist and Jesus both preaching that it was “at hand” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17), for it would be established “with power” within the lifetime of Jesus’ contemporaries (Mark 9:1; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). So, when you arrive at the book of Acts, you get to read the culmination of God’s eternal plan.
The book of Acts shows what Jesus’ disciples did after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. It is the natural continuation from reading about Jesus in the book of John. His disciples were so committed to Him and so convicted of the truth of the gospel that they went everywhere preaching the good news of Jesus (Acts 1:8; 8:4).
The book of Acts shows how to be converted to Christ and become a Christian. This is key. When one has learned about Jesus in the book of John, what do they do now? They need to believe (Acts 16:31), repent (Acts 2:38), confess their faith (Acts 8:36-38) and be baptized (Acts 22:16), in order to be saved from their sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The book of Acts shows this being done over and over, as is its main purpose.
There are many benefits that can be gained when one starts reading the Bible in the book of John and then continues into the book of Acts, none the least of which is that now the reader has a complete picture of what the Bible is all about. Now, having that understanding, the reader can go back to Genesis and read through the Bible, anticipating with excitement to see God reveal, unfold and fulfill His magnificent plan!
