Acts

Posted on by Peter Day

Our church Bible reading plan continues today with Acts 1.

The traditional title of the book is “Acts of the Apostles.” Others have criticised this title and said that it is not so much the apostles who were doing things but the Holy Spirit. So, they say, the book should be called “Acts of the Holy Spirit.” However, even that might not be the best title. Verse 1 tells us:

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach…” (italics mine).

In other words, Acts is a continuation of the actions and teachings of Jesus through the apostles by the power of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the Father’s plan (Acts 2:23, 33; 28:25-31).

Acts is written by Luke (Luke’s gospel was his former book). It is written to show the early believers how the gospel spread, just as Jesus commanded…

“…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

We see these in the way Acts is structure. Jerusalem is the main focus of Chapters 1-7, then Judea and Samaria in Chapters 8-12, then the main Gentile mission (to the ends of the earth) starts in Acts 13 as Paul and Barnabas were sent out from the church in Antioch.

We see a number of important themes:

  • The churches’ dependence on the empowering of the Holy Spirit, starting in Acts 2. While Pentecost is unique (with similar examples of the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8 – the mission Samaria – and Acts 10 – the first preaching to the Gentiles), the modern church remains utterly dependent on the Holy Spirit. This must be expressed in persistent, believing prayer.
  • The centrality of the word. The church in Acts grew, and churches were planted through the preaching of the word.
  • The reality of suffering. Opposition and persecution begin in Acts 4. While there are seasons of peace, suffering is a common occurrence. Given that suffering has been the experience of many true believers throughout church history, western Christians should not be surprised if suffering comes to us.

Often people say things like, “I wish we could go back to Acts with all the miracles and church growth.” We are right to long for multitudes to be saved and for revival. Yet, we must ask ourselves this: are we willing to count the cost and be prayerful, godly, bold, and willing to suffer also? May the Lord use the book of Acts to stir us to seek more after God.

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