Acts: The Saga Continues

Some in my "circles" have often commented how we need to get back to basics and become like the "primitive Church". They think that means a simpler form of worship and a clearer connection to God. This sentiment, however pious, often results from misunderstanding the content of Acts. The book of Acts does not give us a detailed account of what the firs century Christians did routinely for corporate worship. Primarily, the focus of this work is to record the testimony of God's faithfulness and power among men in fulfilling his promise of blessing the nations through Abraham. This promise was fulfilled through a message that completely changed the world and the people he used to proclaim it.

My current interest in the book of Acts is motivated by finding out what the Bible says about how faith in Christ is integrated into every day life. My first task was to get a broad scope of the entire book and see what themes were found that united the entire work. The goal of this endeavor is to better understand the broad context so I can correctly interpret particular sections identified by the literary structure.

The theme of Acts is clearly stated for us in the beginning of the first chapter. Acts 1: 7-8 mentions the two major themes throughout the entire historic account. The first theme mentioned is the work of the Holy Spirit which will empower those who are being commissioned. The second theme is the proclamation of Christ and his message by believers. 

Understanding  that these themes are complementary in function is essential. God, in his wisdom, has chosen to work through men. Luke points out that the first volume of his work dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1). The implication is that the second volume is the results of what Jesus did and taught. How is his ministry relevant now that he is no longer physically present on earth? Christ is empowering his Church through the Holy Spirit. Knowing this should help us understand the limits and expectations under which God has chosen for us to serve. 

The Holy Spirit has played a unique role throughout history. He is truly God. Many fantastic occurrences are attributed to him by Luke throughout all of his writing. Acts emphasizes his role in forming and sustaining the Church. A person could easily be sidetracked by the sensational events that occurred during this special time in history. Nevertheless, Scripture is comprehensive and is specifically given to point out man's deficiencies and how God graciously overcomes these deficiencies to glorify himself (2Timothy 3:16-17). For that reason, the sensationalism must be seen in its proper historical context and interpreted as part of the unique transition God is making toward a broader scope of outreach. People must consider that the source of all power and influence in the Church begins and ends with God. The plan of salvation, the content of the salvific message, as well as the confirmation and faith required to benefit from this work are all initiated, executed, and provided by God. The Holy Spirit works in a specific way so as to make the work of the early church effective. This divine sanctioning of the apostle's message distinguished it from any another religious opinion.

The Apostles have been commissioned to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. A witness has a testimony to tell. I believe the command to be Christ's witnesses is an expansion of the Great Commission where the disciples were to make other disciples, baptizing them and teaching them what the Lord had commanded. This message must begin with the proclamation of the just judge who is the agent through whom we may have eternal life. Jesus proclaimed the favorable year of the Lord. The disciples were to continue with that earthly ministry. However, their testimony was to include the call for people to surrender to Jesus Christ the Lord. This proclamation was an affront to the Jewish religious leaders and foolishness to non-Jewish thinkers. Some philosophical perspectives have also infiltrated the Church presenting various perversions of the message of Christ. These abberations are often the result of man's intellectual process divorced from divinely revealed propositional truth. The mission of the Church has been affected by these challenges to its message. God has provided faithful men to answer these challenges throughout history. The enemy has inadvertently forced the Church to seek to know God  and how to practically apply his revealed truth more faithfully.

Gary Martin wrote -"The 12th century theologian and author John of Salisbury used a version of the phrase (If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants by Isaac Newton) in a treatise on logic called Metalogicon, written in Latin in 1159. Translations of this difficult book are quite variable but the gist of what Salisbury said is:

'We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants.

 We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours.'"

This concept is a fitting description of where the Church is today. We are riddled with attacks from within and without. People have always used religion as a means to their end but, wherever a Bible is opened and read for the sake of knowing God and seeking to please him, the truth will prevail. The book of Acts serves the Church as a reminder of its mission and the power that is available to accomplish it. Let us not forget, however, that the saga of the Church and its role in redemptive history has continued to develop throughout its existence. Although we do not have the same divine authoritative quality to the historical record of the Church after the book of Acts we do have the opportunity to consider events with "20/20 hindsight" and compare that with the rest of God's revealed truth. Those things which resonate with divine wisdom should be regarded as such for every good and complete gift is from God (James 1:17).

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God is still working in and through his people. The unity and diversity within the Church testify to the universal love and power of God who has given us such a treasure in jars of clay. Is your jar overflowing with God's love for others? If not, a study in the book of Acts may help identify areas of your life you have not surrendered to him. Compartmentalizing your life results in a cold and meaningless religious experience. Thinking that there is a time for religion and a time for everything else is a failure to understand God's purpose for your life. He wants you to be his witness. Giving God public verbal recognition requires a conviction that God's ways are always the only way. Truth is extremely practical. God is truth. Rejoice in Christ and serve him.

If you question where you will spend eternity please consider the love of God  through Jesus Christ our Savior.