I am reading the Acts at the moment and I have been encouraged by discovering how central the proclamation of the risen Christ is for the early Christians. The apostles were bold in proclaiming that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. It seems to be their focus every time they preach or explain why they are doing what they are doing. The risen Christ seemed to be their reason for everything they did and said.

But the ordinary believers were as bold as the apostles in proclaiming the risen Christ. They were telling the Good News of the risen Christ everywhere and at any time. I have been so encouraged to notice that every believer was able to bring the Good News of the risen Christ to new people everywhere. The new covenant community was a Christ centred community. They were proclaiming Christ. People turned to the Lord and believed in the risen Christ as a result of their bold proclamation of the living and risen Christ. We are also told that the new believers were added to the Lord. No wonder that God himself through a prophetic utterance called the disciples Christians – Christlike people.

When the disciples boldly proclaimed that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, the Book of Acts reports that the hand of God was with them confirming their proclamation by sings and wonders. We are told of many specific healings that took place. The grace of God was actively working with them and people were set free from all kinds of problems.

Even today the proclamation of the risen Christ is the key to see the Kingdom of God advance. We hear so many reports of the power of God at work when the risen Christ is being proclaimed. Actually we live the the continuance of the Book of Acts. That book is still being written by ordinary disciples who proclaim the risen Christ in their everyday walk of life.