One of the television programs my wife and I enjoy is Finding Your Roots. During the show Henry Louis Gates Jr. unfolds each guest’s family tree and tells them something of interest regarding their ancestors’ lives. Some guests have said, “I feel so much more connected to my roots” or “Now I know how I got here.”
In a sense, this is the purpose of the book of Acts. We learn how our family (the church of Jesus Christ) got started. The church began with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Luke, Paul’s companion, is writing to a man named Theophilus. The book of Acts can be viewed as volume two of Luke’s historical record, beginning where his gospel left off, with the ascension of Jesus.
The book of Acts follows a simple outline found in Acts 1:8: “But you will 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” (v. 8). After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and disciples, and the gospel spread locally, regionally, and worldwide.
This is important to the proper understanding of the book of Acts. Some view the book as “prescriptive.” By that I mean we should be doing exactly what is recorded in this book. If by that they mean that we should be reaching the world with the gospel, then I agree. However, I believe the proper way to view this book is “descriptive.” Luke is describing how the church of Jesus Christ began. We are to learn from all of it, but not necessarily try to duplicate all of it. Some events were unique to the founding era of the church.
Go Deeper
What role does the Holy Spirit play in the opening of the book of Acts? How is the Spirit at work in this present day?
Pray with Us
Dear Father, please meet us in our study of Acts. As we look back at the beginning of the church, give us wisdom to use what we learn in our own settings. Your way is the best way.
He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.Acts 1:9
