Dr. John Foster tells how an inquirer from Hinduism came to an Indian bishop. All alone, and unaided by any Christian teacher, this Indian had read the New Testament, the story had fascinated him. In the way that is always true, Christ had laid his spell upon him. “As he read on…and felt he had entered into a new world.” In the gospels, it was Jesus, his words and his suffering. In the book of Acts…what the disciples did and thought and taught had taken the place in the world that Christ had occupied. The church continued where Jesus had left off at his death and resurrection. “Therefore,” said the man to Dr. Foster, “I must belong to the church that carries on the life of Christ.”

The book of Acts tells the story of the church that carries on the life of Christ. It is literally the secon…