Luke, Volume II, commonly known as "The Book of Acts," completes the
"Pentateuch of the New Testament." Regarded by many as the most exciting
and relevant book for the current believer, it is, indeed, one of the most
rewarding and instructive.
Pre-Trial Documents?
Roman law required written documents, containing all the pertinent background
regarding a case, to precede an appellant's appearance before Caesar.
There are some scholars who suspect that the two volumes penned by Luke were to
comply with those requirements.
In a world denied the conveniences we currently take for granted with copiers
and fax machines, it is hard for us to appreciate a culture entirely dependent
upon handwritten documents (that's why we call them manu-scripts). To
compile a comprehensive history of the facts surrounding Paul's appeal to Caesar
was an expensive undertaking, and some assume that the official known as
Theophilus was Luke's sponsor.
(We now understand that Matthew was among those skilled in shorthand: it was
a requirement for his profession as a customs official. That's why his
Gospel includes the extensive discourses: he would have been able to take them
down verbatim. Without the discourses, Matthew's Gospel would be shorter
than Mark's.)
An analysis of Luke's writings seems to support the pre-trial thesis.
His consistent emphasis in the various episodes always focuses on establishing
the responsibilities of the Jewish leadership in instigating the numerous
uprisings, rather than Paul. The avoidance of civil unrest would have been
the primary concern of the Roman administration. It is also interesting to note
that, in Luke, centurions are always presented as "good guys."
The "Acts of the
Apostles"?
The traditional title of this book is, in some respects, a misnomer: it
primarily deals with the "acts" of Peter (Chapters 1-12) and Paul (Chapters
13-28). It really should be called "The Acts of the Holy Spirit."
Jesus had indicated that the next phase of God's program would be "The
Comforter's":
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go
away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I
depart, I will send him unto you. -John
16:7
Certainly He, the Holy Spirit, is the principal mover behind the
scenes. (It is interesting that the Holy Spirit is always modeled as "an
unnamed servant" in Biblical typology.1 Jesus
also explained why:
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that
shall he speak: and he will shew you things to
come. -John 16:13
Some Amazing Chapters
Among the pivotal passages are several that have significance far beyond the
immediate narrative. Perhaps foremost of these is Chapter 2, in which we
see the fulfillment of the prophetic significance of the Hag Shavout, "The Feast
of Weeks" (or "Pentecost"), in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, generally
regarded as the birth of the Church. (Why is the Book of Ruth always read
at this time?2 )
Another chapter with special revelations is Chapter 7, where young Stephen
has the chutzpah to give a review of the Old Testament to the most august body
of the Jews, the Sanhedrin. Hidden behind the subtleties of the text are
clues that reveal a number of surprises, such as Abraham's delay in responding
to God's call in Genesis 12,3 and the fact that the
Pharaoh that oppressed Israel prior to the exodus was not Egyptian!
4
Another of the pivotal chapters in Acts is the famous "Council of Jerusalem"
in Acts 15, at which James adjudicates the debate over what a Gentile must do to
be saved. It is also significant in underscoring that God is not finished
with Israel. His quoting from Amos 9 provides a prophetic overview of what
is still ahead. (James uses the strange phrase, "the Tabernacle of
David." It almost seems like an oxymoron, like "the seed of the woman" in
Genesis 3:15. The Tabernacle was Levitical; the kingship was of
Judah. Is there a prophetic relationship between this peculiar phrase and
the visit of Philip with the Ethiopian treasurer in Acts 8? Why is the
"Mercy Seat" covering the Ark of the Covenant always described separately in the
Torah? We'll explore some provocative conjectures surrounding this and
related topics in one of our future issues.)
Remaining
Mysteries
There are some other lessons hidden within this fabulous book. For
example, what Bible study, repeatedly recorded in the Book of Acts, was given by
seven different people on twelve different occasions, and always proved
extremely fruitful, yet is rarely given today? The answer: presenting
Jesus Christ entirely from the Old Testament. It was the only "Scriptures"
they had then; the "New Testament" was still in the process of being
compiled. Could you do that? Could you present, to your Jewish
friends, Jesus as the Messiah-entirely from the Old Testament? It's not
hard if you are prepared.5 In the meantime, we
encourage you to dig into this uniquely relevant and rewarding book of God's
Word.
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