Who is This Man

WHERE DOES THE GOOD NEWS GO? Objective: To understand Luke's purpose/intent in writing the book of Acts and how it applies to us as Christ's Church  Hypothesis: Luke wrote the book of Acts to show how the church emerged as a chiefly Gentile, worldwide phenomenon from its origins as a base of Jewish believers centered in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit was directly responsible for this phenomenon of salvation for all based on grace alone. I. The Holy Spirit is the lead actor throughout the book of Acts. a. 1:1-6:7 Luke describes the early Jerusalem church life, its spread and persecution. The Holy Spirit is mentioned 19 times. b. 6:8-9:31 Luke describes the first geographical expansion of the church due to persecution after Stephen's stoning. Paul's conversion is also included. The Holy Spirit is mentioned 11 times in this segment. c. 9:32-12:24 Luke gives a description of the first expansion to the Gentiles. The conversion of Cornelius is told twice. Peter, the acknowledged leader of the Jewish-Christian mission, was sent as a direct act from God. This is a more powerful testimony of God's hand in this movement. The Holy Spirit is mentioned 11 times. d. 12:25-16:5 Luke describes the first geographical expansion into the Gentile world. Paul is now the leader. The Holy Spirit is mentioned six (6) times. e. 16:6-19:20 Luke now describes the expansion westward into Europe. The Holy Spirit is mentioned five (5) times. f. 19:21-28:30 Luke tells of events that move Paul to Rome, the capital of the Gentile world. The Holy Spirit is mentioned six (6) times. II. What Luke does not tell us with any strong intention: a. He does not tell us much about the apostles' lives. b. He shows little interest in church organization. c. While he values conversion, he does not explain the differences described in individual conversions, in other words uniformity isn’t valued very highly. d. While there is intense community in Acts 2, little is said about how the gentile churches function. e. There is no discussion concerning the expansion of the church other than in a direct line from Jerusalem to Rome. For instance, what happens to the poor Ethiopian Eunuch and his mission? f. What is most important lies in what Luke is trying to tell his readers. What can we glean? III. Luke focuses on the movement of the church from Jerusalem to Rome. a. The early church began with Pentecost in Jerusalem. The first believers were Jewish. b. Persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. c. Luke's primary concern, however, is the movement of the church from Jerusalem to Rome. It is in this setting that Luke recounts the conversion of Paul. Acts 23:11 is of significance. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." d. Agrippa declares Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (26:32). e. Paul is finally sent to Rome. IV. Discussion - Why was the expansion from Jerusalem to Rome of such importance to Luke? a. "By the very way God has moved him to structure and narrate this history it seems probable that we are to view this triumphant, joyful, forward-moving expansion of the gospel into the Gentile world, empowered by the Holy Spirit and resulting in changed lives and local communities, as God's intent for the continuing church. And precisely because this is God's intent for the church, nothing can hinder it, neither Sanhedrin nor synagogue, dissension nor narrowmindedness, prison nor plot. Luke, therefore, probably intended that the ongoing church should be "like them," but in the larger sense, not by modeling itself on any specific example." (How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, p. 114). V. Discussion - In what ways is Luke’s purpose in describing this movement significant for us? Follow and take part in the continuing discussion Acts on the church website under the MX Blog. The audio and handout can also be found there. http://mcknightcrossings.org/mission-alive