X. Understanding the book of ACTS

       Although it is called the “Acts of the Apostles,” the book does not discuss all of the apostles, all of their "acts," or all of early church history, etc.  In reality, it is a record of some of the acts of some of the apostles, primarily Peter and Paul.

       Luke, Part II - The narrative of Acts 1 picks up with Luke 24, overlapping the close of the Gospel and leading into what is presented as "volume 2."  Acts 1 & 10 pick up the message of John the baptizer on the promise of the Holy Spirit, a positive aspect of the messianic age, and the promise to "baptize" (pour out? - Acts 2:16-17; Joel 2:28f) with the Holy Spirit and shows the fulfillment of that promise upon Jews at Pentecost and Gentiles in Cornelius' household.

       Breaking Down Barriers - One suggested outline for Acts follows the spreading ministry of the Word (Luke 24:46f; Acts 1:8) in Jerusalem & Judea (Acts 2:1-8:3), then to Samaria (Acts 8), and the rest of the world/the Gentiles (Acts 9-28).  This view also provides sensible meaning to the otherwise “difficult” events concerning the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, 8, and 10.  When considering the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, one should keep in mind the two social/ethnic barriers which had to be crossed and miraculously confirmed for the Gospel to break out of Jewish circles.  God had promised that the time would come when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on “all flesh” (i.e. all sectors of humanity).  The Jewish mindset divided mankind into three major groups and the Holy Spirit gave outward evidence of His being “poured out on all flesh” in the special manifestations that occurred as each of these three groups were first initiated into the New Covenant: to the Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21), to the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-18), and Gentiles (Acts 10 – see 11:18 for the Jerusalem Church interpretation of the event in Cornelius’ house).  The barrier between Jew & Samaritan (John 4:9) was broken down in Acts 8:4-17, and the barrier between Jew and Gentile was broken down in Acts 10:1- 11:18, with this repeated as the point of what occurred (Acts 10:28,34,35,45; 11:1-3,18).

       Focus on Paul - Acts, while concentrating on Paul, is not even a biography of Paul, since it does not mention any of his epistle-writing or his fate after his two years in Rome.  There is a parallel in 13:44-48 and 28:17-30 in the attempt to reach Jews and their rejection, which brings out the propriety in presenting it to Gentiles (Romans 9-11).

       For a study of the preaching in Acts, see Apostolic Preaching and its Elements by C.H. Dodd (Baker).  In the earlier (13,14) and later (28) speeches of Paul, we see the pattern of going to synagogues, being rejected, and turning to Gentiles who listen.  The theme: Gentiles hear the word because Jews are rebellious.

       Another suggestion is that a NT parallel is painted between Paul and Moses.  Evidence of this might begin with 2Timothy 3:8 (Jannes & Jambres opposing Moses like Paul is opposed).  Acts 13:44-50 & 2Timothy 3:11 the first missionary journey troubles, but the Lord delivered him as He had Moses in the revolt of Korah (2Timothy 2:19; Numbers 16).  Moses was left to die (Exodus 32:1; Deuteronomy 34) as was Paul (Acts 14:19).  As in Qumran, a group is waiting in the wilderness for a new Moses, so Paul becomes the interpreter of the Law for the community.  In 2Timothy 2:15, Jesus is the only mediator (not Moses).  Acts 7:22 adds information not in the Exodus account, saying Moses was educated and eloquent.  We find Acts 7:51-53 paralleled in Acts 13:40-50; 28:25-29, the interpreter of the Law is rejected.

       Donald Guthrie (New Testament Introduction,  3rd ed.  Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1970) says the place of Acts is that linking the records of Jesus with the apostles' correspondence.  Acts is the only extant historical account of the primitive Christian period outside the Epistles, from a Christian point of view.  References to the Holy Spirit show the writer regarded the development of Christian history as due to super- human control.  [Guthrie: 336]

       Its portrait of primitive communities - there is no consecutive attempt to describe the conditions within the various churches, nor to give much information about early church orders or methods of worship.  Instead, the spiritual and moral characteristics of the early Christians are clearly portrayed.  Thus, we see judgment come upon Ananias & Sapphira in contrast to the general spirit of brotherhood, sharing, and joy.  [Guthrie: 337]

       The record of early theology - the samples of early preaching makes Acts a valuable source-book for the study of primitive theology.  The titles given to Jesus: Lord and Christ, God's Son and servant, Prince of life and Saviour, the Righteous One, and Lord of all.  What is absent are samples of didactic (teaching/systematic doctrinal) addresses to believers.  [Guthrie: 338]

       Its focus on Peter and Paul - the emphasis on these two may have been because the writer knew them best, or that he was matching the chief apostles to the Jews and Gentiles. Peter (1-12) and Paul (13-28) are presented with some interesting parallels: both heal cripples (3:2-8; 14:8-12), heal be strange means of shadows/clothes 5:15; 19:12), both encounter sorcerers (8:18; 13:6), restoration scenes (9:36; 20:9), and both are miraculously released from prison (12:7; 16:26).  [Guthrie: 339]

       Date of Writing - The book of Acts was probably written before 64 A.D. because of (1) how it ends, with Paul a prisoner in Rome (60-62 A.D.), (2) the absence of reference to important events between 60 & 70 A.D. (Neronian persecution, martyrdom of James the Just, fall of Jerusalem), (3) the absence of any mention about Paul's death, (4) the primitive character of the subject matter, (5) the primitive nature of the theology, (6) the attitude of Rome towards the church, and no (7) mention of the Paul’s epistles.  [Guthrie: 340-345]

       Purpose of the book - Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, thus one purpose for the book is historical.  However, the approach clearly differs from most historians.  Acts is also: {1} A Gospel of the Spirit - emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit.  The church came into being through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (2 & 10), fullness of the Spirit was the evidence of Christianity (2:4; 6:3; 8:17; 10:44; 19:6), the Spirit was directing missionary activity (13:2; 16:6-10).  {2} An Apology - detailing the approach to Jews and the Romans.  The author shows the antecedents in Judaism, although it is plain that it is the Jews who are the main instigators of trouble, while Roman officials dismiss Jewish charges (John 18:38; Acts 18:12-16).  {3} A defense brief for Paul's trial - perhaps why it ends where it does.  {4} A theological document - showing the movement of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome, revealing the triumph of Christianity in a hostile world.  Paul's arrival in Rome is a fitting conclusion.  [Guthrie: 349-353]

       Historicity of the book - Sir William Ramsay's travels did much to reinstate Luke as a serious historian.  He used the proper terms for officials in the first century Roman empire: Proconsul (13:7) Roman colony (16:12), praetors (16:20), politarchs (17:6), Asiarchs (19:31), town clerk (19:35), and the first man (28:7).  He also knows about Roman citizenship, its privileges (22:25-29) and levels (by birth and purchased).  [Guthrie: 354,355]

       F. F. Bruce divides the speeches in Acts into four groups: evangelistic, apologetic, deliberative, and hortatory.  [Guthrie: 359f]

       The "we" sections (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27ff) are best explained as identifying those times when the author was present among Paul's companions.

       Sources for Luke could have been: {1} his own contact with Paul (9:1-31; 11:25-30; 12:25-28:31), {2} contact with Mark (Colossians 4:10,14) could provide information on early Jerusalem church such as Acts 12:12, etc.  {2} if Luke was from Antioch, he could have received information from Philip (21:8) on Acts 6:1-8:3.  {4} Mnason (21:16)  [Guthrie: 369]

       Language - Luke's style of Greek is good, but not particularly literary.  It is a good conversational type.  [Guthrie: 379]

       History of Use - The Early Church Father, Chrysostom (ca.387 A.D.), offered some interesting insight into how little the book of Acts was being used by the end of the 4th century A.D., as he  complained in his Homilies in Principium Actorum,

"We are about to set before you a strange and new dish. . . strange, I say, and not strange.  Not strange; for it belongs to the order of Holy Scripture; and yet strange; because peradventure your ears are not accustomed to such a subject.  Certainly, there are many to whom this Book is not even known and many again think it so plain, that they slight it:".

       Around 400 A.D., Chrysostom began his commentary on Acts with

"To many persons this Book is so little known, both it and its author, that they are not even aware that there is such a book in existence.  For this reason especially I have taken this narrative for my subject, that I may draw to it such as do not know it, and not let such a treasure as this remain hidden out of sight.  For it may profit us no less than even the Gospels; so replete is it with Christian wisdom and sound doctrine, especially in what is said concerning the Holy Ghost.  Then let us not hastily pass by it, but examine it closely. . ."

       The book of Acts provides us with some crucial information about several elements.

       {1} how the Apostles carried out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-46), as we examine examples of how they told people to become Christians (Acts 2:37-41; 8:5-6,12,27-39; 9:18 & 22:16; 10:34-48; 16:12-15,30-34; 18:18; 18:24 - 19:7).

       {2} the work of the Holy Spirit in establishing the Church and aiding its growth and spread, by convicting sensitive hearers (John 16:7-11 - Acts 2:37 & 16:14), outwardly demonstrating the coming of the Spirit to Jews (Pentecost), Samaritans (Acts 8), and Gentiles (Acts 10:1 - 11:18).

       {3} the Apostles’ Teaching (Acts 2:42) on important issues like becoming a Christian, the focus of Old Testament prophecy (Acts 3:18-26), the clear transition from the Mosaic Covenant to a New Covenant system (Acts 15), explanation of Old Testament history and lessons (Acts 7; 13:14-48)themes (customs to .  The Book of Acts even gives one of the “sayings of Jesus” not recorded in the Gospels (Acts 20:35).

Email Chuck at: chuck@severnchristian.org