What’s God up to in Acts?
I’m working through the book of Acts. Here’s what I’m learning about God’s mission. Wondering why we make it so abstract and complicated compared to what Luke writes?
At the beginning of Acts the mission is laid out: the Word must go out in the power of the Spirit in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The risen Lord had already announced that through his death and resurrection the Scriptures are fulfilled now repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem, but first they must wait until they are clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:45-49).
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell and the mission began—immediately.
Peter’s message and the messages throughout Acts provide examples of what Jesus meant by the proclamation of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in his name. This is the Word of the gospel that proves to be an unstoppable force in the book of Acts.
The heart of the disciples’ faith is the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus who now sends the Holy Spirit. The speeches in Acts to Jews and to Gentiles reveal a belief in one God and Creator of the world who is Lord over all and who will one day judge the world. Jesus, who offers forgiveness of sins today, is the one who will be our judge on the last day. Everyone must repent and believe the gospel no matter what their religious background.
Conversion involves repentance and faith in Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit expressed immediately by immersion in water.
New disciples are added to the church by the Lord. Luke shows us how repentance is lived out in community (Acts 2:36-47). They were devoted to the apostles’ teaching, to shared lives with one another, to shared meals including the Lord’s Supper, to prayer. They shared their resources with those in need. The Spirit was present in powerfully. God continually added new disciples and the Word went out into unreached fields.
Soon the movement is spreading throughout Jerusalem, into Judea and Samaria. Wherever it goes, new communities of disciples are formed. Whenever the movement settles down, the Holy Spirt urges it forward to new unreached peoples until the mission to Gentiles begins.
God is the central character of Acts. He is the author of every breakthrough.
The risen Lord calls the persecutor Saul to serve in his mission (Acts 9; 22; 26). He shows Paul what he must do. He must proclaim Jesus’ name to the Gentiles, their kings and to the Israel. To be a witness to all people. To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in him.
This is not Paul’s mission, it is the mission of God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the mission of all of God’s people in which Paul will play a leading role.
Jesus does not discriminate when he pours out the Holy Spirit on his people—they are all called to be witnesses, young and old, men and women. When the Spirit falls in power upon a praying, persecuted church, they all speak the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31). Apostles, prophets, evangelists, elders and teachers all play their part. So do the unnamed disciples who take the gospel to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch (Acts 11:19). Or those who take the gospel to the whole of Asia Minor while Paul is based in Ephesus (Acts 19:10).
Luke shows us what the risen Lord continues to do through Paul and his coworkers. Acts 13-14 provides a concise example of the nature of “the work” (Acts 13:2; 14:26).
Paul and Barnabas were set aside by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel into unreached fields. They moved from city to city proclaiming the Word, making disciples and forming them into new churches. They circled back and strengthened the churches and appointed local leaders. They completed the work the Spirit gave them to do.
Acts closes with Paul in Roman custody awaiting trial. He is chained to a Praetorian guard but the Word still goes out on its journey to the ends of the earth—every people group, every place, until Jesus returns.
