Acts 1:1-3 "Introduction & Prologue"
Acts of the Apostles • Sermon • Submitted
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I am very excited to say, please turn in your Bibles to the 44th book of the Bible… the Book of Acts... as we continue our book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse journey through the Bible.
Last week we finished the Gospel of Matthew. A Spirit-led study that we did not rush… thus, it took us 1 year 9 months, and I hope you were richly blessed.
Getting through Matthew is a major accomplishment. Matthew is the 3rd longest book of the New Testament.
Matthew and Acts tie for the most chapters in the New Testament with 28 Chapters.
But, Luke is the longest book… 24 chapters, but 1151 verses.
Matthew is #2 with 1071 Verses; and Acts #3 with 1007 Verses.
These are long books.
So often we think Paul is the premier New Testament writer because he wrote half… 13 of the 26 New Testament books.
While Paul wrote more books than Luke… Luke may have written more words than Paul.
If Paul wrote Hebrews (whose Author is unknown, though some suspect Paul) he is the major New Testament writer… at 2337 verses.
But, if Paul didn’t write Hebrews, then he wrote 2034 verses… which would make Luke the major writer of the New Testament.
Because with The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts… Luke wrote 2158 verses total.
The next closest is John, who wrote The Gospel of John, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, and the Book of Revelation… a total of 1415 verses,
For the sake of perspective, I put together a chart of the New Testament Books by number of verses…
On the welcome table, you can find a printed version of that chart.
If you’re a nerd, like me, you’ll enjoy this. The rest of you… grab a copy and study it late at night tonight… you’ll sleep great!
Acts is an important book… a bridge from the four Gospels to the Epistles.
Acts tells us of Jesus ascending and the Holy Spirit descending.
A Theme we will see from Acts 1 through 2:4.
The Holy Spirit will transform the Apostles… empower Peter, Paul, and all in the early church.
Today we begin this journey in Acts, and with any new book… I like to start with an Introduction, and we will also cover verses 1-3 today.
The title of today’s message is Acts 1:1-3 “Introduction & Prologue.”
Let’s Pray!
Our introduction to Acts begins in Acts 1:1 “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach…”
Introductions to Books of the Bible help ground us in the context of the writing.
And, it’s good to ask investigative questions… what journalist, researchers, and investigators call “the Five W’s and How.”
Who, what, where, when, why and how?
So, for our introduction we are going to frame seven observations around the Five W’s and How.
First, here in V1 we see a hint at “Who?” As in, Who wrote the Book of Acts?
Look again at V1 “The former account I made, O Theophilus…”
The “I” in V1 is obviously the author, but who is this unnamed author?
Well, it’s Luke of course! But, how do we know? Luke never claims authorship.
In fact, Luke’s name is only mentioned 3x in all of scripture… and all references of Paul… as Paul and Luke were travel companions.
So, in determining the who, what, where, and so forth… Biblical Scholars examine two key sources are...
Internal and External evidence.
Internal meaning evidence within the writing of the Scriptures... such as unity of the Bible and claims of being written by eyewitnesses.
External meaning evidence in the world outside the Bible… such as archeological evidence, and writings of early church fathers… confirming the reliability of the writing.
So, here are two points of internal evidence for Luke as the author...
First, V1 refers to a previous work… “the former account.”
So, this is the second account of the author… and we know the other work… the “former account” to be the Gospel of Luke.
And, scholars see great harmony in the writing style and structure of these two books… indicating the same author wrote Luke and Acts.
Additionally, both books are written to Theophilus… Acts 1:1 mentioned this person and Luke 1:3-4 reads “it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”
The name “Theophilus” a Gk. compound word… “Theos” meaning “God” and “Philos” meaning “friend.”
Thus, some think Theophilus was not a person, but just a generic term for the “Friends of God”… that Luke was writing to Christians.
But, you may have observed in Luke 1, Luke titled him the “most excellent Theophilus...”
“Most Excellent” was a title for a high ranking government or military official. Thus, there is credence that Theophilus was a person.
But, notice this title was dropped in Acts… which leads some to believe that Theophilus came to faith after the Gospel of Luke, thus the title was dropped.
Now, he and Luke were brothers-in-Christ… and formalities were no longer needed.
The second piece of internal evidence is it’s evident the author was a travel companion to Paul.
There are several “We” passages in Acts referring to Paul and the author of Acts.
Acts 16:10 “Now after he [Paul] had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia...”
Acts 20:5-6 “These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi...”
Acts 27:1 “And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.”
You get the picture… the author travelled with Paul on his missionary journeys.
And, scholars have taken the time to eliminate the other travel companions who were known not to be with Paul during these “we” mentions… and Luke remains the only viable option.
Luke is thought to have travelled with Paul on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys.
And, to have stayed with Paul during his 2nd and 3rd imprisonments- both in Rome.
Paul’s 2nd imprisonment was a house arrest from roughly 60-62 A.D.
Which is likely the same time Luke wrote the Book of Acts.
During this same time, Paul wrote the Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians).
And, Luke is mentioned being with Paul in Col 4:14 “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.”
And, this blessed me. Here are two Christian men imprisoned by Rome, but continuing God’s work. Staying busy, writing the Bible.
They didn’t let their circumstances stop them… they pressed forward and completed these writings.
And, keep in mind… they didn’t do it in the flesh. The Holy Spirit inspired them… He was upon them.
Just as the Lord inspired Zechariah to write Zech 4:6 “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”
You have that same Spirit of God dwelling in you if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord.
So, no matter your circumstances… keep Paul and Luke in mind. Imprisoned… yet still doing the work of the Lord.
Paul’s 3rd and final imprisonment was around 66 A.D. and this was really bad… in the Roman Mamertine Prison… a subterranean dungeon.
And, prior to his martyrdom by Nero… Paul… in his swan song… 2 Tim 4:11 wrote, “Only Luke is with me.”
Demas had forsaken Paul, having loved this present world… but Luke was with Paul and faithful to the end.
Well, let’s quickly look at the external evidence which is observed in the writings of early church fathers.
Very early manuscripts in the 2nd Century testified that Luke was the author.
Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Origen all agreed that Luke was the author of Acts.
And, Eusebius and Jerome, who followed them, concurred.
Who wrote the Book of Acts? Luke wrote the Book of Acts. The evidence is strong.
And, a couple point on Luke the man… He was a Dr. and a meticulous investigator.
He wrote about this about his methodology... Luke 1:2 “… just as those who from the beginning [Luke was contemporary with many Apostles who were from the beginning] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us...”
So, Luke had eyewitnesses from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry deliver key testimonies that he used for his Gospel.
And, in Acts he was with Paul, James, Peter… and was inspired by the Holy Spirit as he wrote the Book of Acts.
One final point on Luke… In Col 4:7-11, Paul makes a distinction between his companions “who are of the circumcision”… Jews… then talks about his other companions… assumed Gentiles and Luke is in this later list.
If so, Luke would be the only Gentile writer in NT… which is fascinating as one considers he wrote the Gospel of Luke to the Greeks, and Acts transitions the Gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles.
And, it’s fitting that the Holy Spirit would choose and inspire a gentile for such a task.
Well, this brings us to our second observation as a point of introduction to this book, “What is the Book of Acts about?”
One way to tackle this question is by looking at the Title of the Book.
Most Bibles title this book simple as “Acts” or “The Acts of the Apostles” which is a title that comes by way of tradition.
Luke titles his writing in Acts 1:1 an “account,” “book” or “treatise.” And, the Gk. word he uses is lŏgŏs (log´-os) meaning “a word, a thing uttered or said.”
Early on, and some churches still today title Acts, “The Gospel of the Holy Spirit,” and some Pastors I know argue “The Acts of the Holy Spirit” to be more appropriate then “The Acts of the Apostles.”
After all the word, “Apostles” appears 30x in this book, where the “Holy Spirit” appears 42x.
And, not all the Apostles are featured…
...largely this is a writing about Peter and Paul,
though we do see James the Son of Zebedee martyred by Herod in Acts 12…
The Apostle John is mentioned a few times,
BUT not all the Apostles are mentioned.
“The Acts of Some of the Apostles” or “Some Acts of Certain Apostles” may be a more accurate title.
Some people today like to call this book, “The Acts of Jesus Christ,” after all in V1 of Acts, Luke’s states the former account “The Gospel of Luke” pertained to “… all that Jesus began both to do and teach.”
Wow! The Gospel was just the beginning of what Jesus was doing and teaching. He never stopped… Acts is a continuation of what Jesus IS doing and teaching… meaning Jesus is a living Savior… and justifying the title, “The Acts of Jesus Christ.”
They’re all good titles! Take your pick!
But, for identification purposes, you will hear me most often refer to this as the “Book of Acts,” or simply “Acts.”
I like all these titles.
And, the title helps us identify what this book is about… it’s the historical record of Jesus ascending, and the Holy Spirit descending upon the early church and the events that took place afterwards… in the lives of the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Beyond the title… another point about what this book is about...
Acts is the only historical sequel to the four Gospels.
Without Acts, the end of Luke only briefly mentions Jesus ascending, and the disciples returning to Jerusalem with great joy…
And, then we would pick up in Romans.
So, Acts is important because it tells us of the Holy Spirit’s Baptism, and gives us insights into the foundation of the early church… and principles of the early church that are still relevant today.
Acts is a beautiful model for the church today. How church ought to be. Simple. Relational. Gospel sharing… and multiplication through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The early church was entirely reliant on the Holy Spirit… a far cry… sadly... from where many churches are today.
CMA Pastor and Author A.W. Tozer (who went home with the Lord in 1963) said this… “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”
I don’t know how a church functions without reliance on the Holy Spirit.
The early church was totally led by the Holy Spirit, and that’s how we are functioning in this church as well.
Just this past week, a new children’s ministry class is starting because God stirred Rachelle’s heart to lead.
Reliance on the Holy Spirit. His timing. His church.
One last point on what Acts is about is this book forms a background and setting for most of Paul’s writings.
Just as we have been looking at a “Harmony of the Gospels” when we read through Matthew.
Acts, written by Luke, finds Harmony in Paul’s Epistles.
Which is fascinating because Luke and Paul were friends. They were travel companions, and cell mates. And, just as their lives were entwined, so were their writings.
Which leads us to our third observation… What is the purpose of the Book of Acts?
Some see Acts as a defense of Christianity, and perhaps even for Paul, to Roman rulers.
Luke was with Paul in Prison, and the Book of Acts concludes with Paul in Rome on house arrest.
And, some scholars believe Acts was written in part as a legal testimony to assist Paul during his legal trials.
And, we will observe Roman officers, like Cornelius… written into the Book of Acts… and always with a favorable outlook.
Of course this is also a book about the progress of the Holy Spirit founding and forming the early church.
And, throughout the Book of Acts we encounter “progress reports.”
Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 6:7 “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Acts 9:31 “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified.”
Acts 12:24 “But the word of God grew and multiplied.”
Acts 16:5 “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”
Acts 19:20 “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”
Acts 28:30-31 “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
And, in these progress reports and throughout the Book of Acts we observe the transition of God’s work from the Jews to the Gentiles… as the Gospel spread from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, to the end of the earth.
Well, this brings us to our fourth and fifth observations… we’ve covered the “who”, and covered the “what”… so let’s double up and quickly answer, “Where and when was this Gospel written?”
Now, if you’ve been paying attention, you already know the answer to these questions.
It seems, Luke wrote Acts in Rome, during Paul’s 2nd imprisonment… likely 60-62 A.D.
2 Tim 4:11 “Only Luke is with me”… testifies that Luke was with Paul in Rome during Paul’s House Imprisonment under Praetorian Guard.
And, a dating of 60-62 A.D. seems to fit for at least two reasons.
First, in Acts… there is no mention of destruction of temple which happened in 70 A.D., and…
Second, in Acts there is no mention of the sadistic persecution of Christians by the 5th Roman Emperor- Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus -or- simply “Nero” for short… take your pick.
Nero began to heavily persecute the church after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 A.D.
Roman historian and Senator, Tacitus, wrote of this fire in his Annals…
Tacitus wrote, “To get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Chrestians by the populace.”
But, in Acts, there is no mention of this persecution, so earlier than 64 A.D. is logical.
Our sixth observation is Why? Why is the Book of Acts so important?
Two Key Reasons:
First, Acts transitions from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.
The experience of the Holy Spirit changes.
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon, specific people to anoint them for God’s work… and sometimes even departed the wicked… like Saul.
But, in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is poured out and in dwells ALL believers… dwelling in our hearts… guiding our lives… a permanent down payment of future blessings.
And, in Acts… this blessing of the Holy Spirit expands beyond Israel to all the nations of the earth… even Gentiles… as we will see in Acts 10 when Peter goes to the Centurion Cornelius’ house… and the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles.
The second reason why Acts is so important also deals with the Holy Spirit and… the power of the Holy Spirit as He empowers His people, and transforms lives.
We observe this in the testimony of the changed lives of the apostles…
The Holy Spirit will transform an average group of guys…
A favorite Bible teacher of mine, Clark Van Wick, said the Key Theme of this book is “The Acts of the Holy Spirit in the Lives of the Apostles.”
These guys are night and day different before and after Pentecost in Acts 2.
Prior, they were slow to understand who Jesus was…
… their faith faltered as they thought the wind and waves would overtake them…
… their faithfulness failed as they couldn’t stay awake and pray with Jesus… and as they scattered and denied Him.
After Pentecost, we will see a powerful group of Apostles and Disciples… where the Holy Spirit comes upon them… Baptizes them and empowers them in the Spirit… and this average group of uneducated tradesmen sets the world on fire with the Gospel of Jesus Christ…
Some “Life Verses” of mine, and probably for these Apostles are 1 Cor 1:26-29 “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
And, this transformative power of the Holy Spirit is still present today. I stand witness before you of a man who’s life was transformed in a day… in a moment by the Holy Spirit.
The power of the Holy Spirit is a key answer to “Why this Book is so important?”
Our seventh and final observation is How? How is the Book of Acts divided?
I mentioned a Key Theme of this book is “The Acts of the Holy Spirit in the Lives of the Apostles.”
Thus, the Key Verse is Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
And this Key Verse provides a simple outline for The Book of Acts:
Acts Chapters 1-7 “The Witness in Jerusalem.”
Acts Chapter 8-9:31 “The Witness in Judea and Samaria.”
Acts Chapter 9:32- Chapter 28 “The Witness to the End of the Earth.”
Outlining Books of the Bible is something we did in Bible College and I find it fun… finding themes and breaks or transitions of thought by the author of any given Bible book.
If you read commentaries, you will see various Biblical Scholars write their outlines differently, and that’s ok.
In fact, a 2nd simple outline could be “The Acts of the Holy Spirit in the Apostles Peter and Paul...
In Acts 1-12, we observe “The Acts of the Holy Spirit in Peter’s Ministry.”
Peter filled with the Holy Spirit was a witness to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.
And, in Acts 13-28, we observe “The Acts of the Holy Spirit in Paul’s Ministry.”
Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit was a witness to the end of the earth.
Both Apostles fulfilled what Jesus said in Acts 1:8.
And, Acts is thematic around Peter and Paul, even to the point of recording repetition in their Miracles…
Peter in Acts 3:1–11 Healed a man lame from birth. In Acts 14:8–18 Paul, Healed a man lame from birth.
In Acts 5:15–16 Peter’s shadow healed people. In Acts 19:11–12 Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons healed people.
I’d personally rather have Peter’s shadow then Paul’s sweat rag, but that’s just me.
In Acts 5:17 Peter’s success caused Jewish jealousy. In Acts 13:45, Paul’s success caused Jewish jealousy.
In Acts 8:9–24, Peter dealt with Simon, a sorcerer. In Acts 13:6–11, Paul Dealt with Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer.
In Acts 9:33–34, Peter healed Aeneas, a paralytic. In Acts 14:8-10, Paul healed an unnamed paralytic from Lystra.
Peter, in Acts 9:36–41 Raised Dorcas to Life. And, Paul, In Acts 20:9–12 Raised Eutychus to life
So, easily one could make an argument for an outline focused on the marvelous ministries of Peter and Paul, and both of their transformed lives by the Holy Spirit.
So, that is our introduction to The Book of Acts… Who, what, where, when, why, and how.
I encourage you... Be like Luke and investigate. There are introduction points you can find… through some research that will further enhance your study through the Book of Acts.
Well, this brings us to the Prologue to the Book of Acts…
Acts 1:1-3 which is important because it introduces the Book, the author, the recipient, and most important… sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Let’s read Acts 1:1-3.
Acts 1:1-3 “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
In V1, we already looked back at how Luke linked Acts to his former writing, the Gospel of Luke… both written to Theophilus.
And, notice Luke writes, also in V1, about “… all that Jesus began to do and teach...”
We already mentioned the significance that the Gospel of Luke was the beginning of what Jesus did during His first advent, and…
Acts is a continuation of that same ministry… now a ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit, and led by faithful disciples.
Led by you and I, and all faithful Christians… still to this day, and still by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But, V1 also speaks about the life and character of our Lord. Jesus was a doer, and a teacher.
Of the things Jesus did, John testified, John 21:25 “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”
Jesus did many things… He taught… He preached… He healed… performed miracles… foretold the future… and today… He is still doing… living to make intercession for you (Heb 7:25).
And, I think the point is clear… If Jesus was a doer and a teacher… and if He is our Master, we should also “do and teach.”
In fact, Jesus said, Luke 12:43 “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”
There is an expectation for God’s faithful to be busy with Kingdom work while Jesus is away.
Jesus said in Matt 7:24, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock…”
The very foundation of our lives must be upon Jesus, and obedience in action to His word.
In teaching about servant leadership and humility, as Jesus washed His disciple’s feet… John 13:16-17 records, “… a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Your Christian walk should not be a “talkie talkie”… you must be a “walkie talkie.”
Otherwise, you deceive yourself… James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
All listening and no doing is deception, because we are commanded to do.
Failure to follow is false reasoning… a delusion.
My Pastor said, “Put feet to your faith.”
D.A. Carson said, “Put into practice what you profess to believe.”
And, Jesus set the model for us as He was a “doer and teacher.”
In V2 of Acts, Luke now speaks about the Ascension… the “day in which He was taken up...”
A very important event that is displayed at the end of Luke’s Gospel, and in Acts 1:9-11, which we will discuss in greater detail as we come to those verses, but let me highlight this…
Jesus said it was to our advantage that He ascended, so the Holy Spirit could descend…
John 16:7-8 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment...”
In Act 2, the Holy Spirit descends, and immediately… Peter’s first sermon… 3000 are saved…they are cut to the heart. Amazing.
The second half of V2, speaks about commandments Jesus gave to the Apostles…
There were a lot of commandments Jesus gave to the Apostles. Sometimes they did great… other times not so much… but after Acts 2… with the power of the Holy Spirit…
The Apostles are so obedient and become a bold force for the Lord.
Last week, we read The Great Commissions… a major commandment of Jesus… Make disciples by going, baptizing and teaching. Matt 28:19.
And, next time, we will see in V4 “… He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father…”
Then, in V8 He tells them “… you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Which would imply going. So is it “wait or go?”
Yes… both… in His order and His timing, and Your obedience.
Oh, how often we get this wrong… when we go by our own power and plan, and don’t wait on Him.
So much better to wait and then go when He releases us.
And, then in V3, Luke speaks about how Jesus “… presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, , being seen by them during forty days…”
After Jesus died and rose again, He appeared 10x to His disciples…
First to Mary Magdalene, then again to the female disciples…
Then, to Peter in grace…
Then then Emmaus Road disciples…
Next the disciples without and then with Thomas… then in Galilee at the boat… then to 500 disciples at once… and so forth.
In V3 Luke uses the Gk. word, tĕkmēriŏn translated as “infallible proofs.”
This word in only used 1x in the Bible and by def. means “clear proof,” or a “sure sign.”
Without a doubt, Jesus rose again, and was seen by these Apostles.
Luke establishes this fact as a foundation statement to the Book of Acts.
And, wrapping up, at the end of V3, Luke states Jesus spoke to them “...of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
During those 40 days, Jesus spoke to His disciples about the Kingdom of God which is a huge topic…
… that speaks of His rule, reign, and sovereignty…
… of His present kingdom: rule and reign in our hearts…
… of His coming kingdom: during His return…
I could listen to Jesus for more than 40 days speaking about the kingdom of God… and we will.
And, by His Holy Spirit and His word… He still speaks to us “...of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”… today.
His church… a continuation of the Book of Acts.
Let’s Pray!
The Book of Acts is going to be fun!
If the Holy Spirit has pricked your heart today… convicted you to press in to “do and teach” -or- however He has spoken to you…
May I suggest… listen and obey.
If you need prayer, please seek us out. We would love to pray with you.
May the Lord bless and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you this week! I know He will… He’s always with us and never forsakes us.