Acts

Background
The word "Acts" denoted a recognized genre in the ancient world, "characterizing books that described great deeds of people or of cities." There are several such books in the New Testament apocrypha (outside our Biblical canon), including the Acts of Thomas, the Acts of Andrew, and the Acts of John.

Modern scholars assign a wide range of genres to the Acts of the Apostles, including biography, novel and history. Most, however, interpret the genre as epic stories of early Christian miracles and conversions. Others have also suggested that the book of Acts may have been written as a legal document written in defense of Paul of Tarsus, for his trial in front of the Emperor in Rome, an event mentioned in the Book of Acts itself. Obviously the epic stories are testimonies to us today - we read how God continued to work great things through the ministry of the apostles even after Jesus ascended into heaven.

Acts 1-8
The book opens with Jesus' ascension into heaven - thus leaving the disciples with the question: "now what?" The "now what" of course begins with the gift of the Holy Spirit in Ch.2. Without the Holy Spirit the early church is left without vision, future, and power. Peter also challenges the others to replace Judas (who abandoned his responsibility as disciple by taking his own life.

Acts 1:20b-26 - "'May another take his place of leadership.'Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Of course the humor begins with their method of choosing - praying and gambling (never thought those two words would be linked in the Bible). The theological significance really isn't in the method - it's in the requirements...this man needs to be a witness of Jesus' life. All of us who call Christ Lord and Savior are his followers, but to be one of the 12 apostles you need someone who saw Jesus' Baptism, saw his miracles, saw his crucifixion, and of course saw the resurrected Christ. Christianity is ultimately about the eyewitness accounts of what Jesus did for us! We too put our trust in the facts of Jesus' accomplishments. Today it seems like everyone has invented their own religious philosophy - Peter is testifying to the eyewitness accounts of what Jesus actually did. The facts are always more important than opinions.

Acts Ch.2 is no less hilarious. The Holy Spirit comes, the disciples are speaking in languages proclaiming the Gospel so that everyone can hear, and the only explanation some can give is that they must be really, really drunk! Wow, the presence of God can be really confusing for some. But it is certainly this event...the point where God lets the disciples know that through Him all things are possible. Check out some of the other events:

Acts 2:41 - 3,000 baptized in one day

Acts 3:1-10 - Crippled beggars are jumping and running and dancing around.

Acts 4:31 - Prayers so intense that the ground around them was shaken.

Acts 5 - The unfaithful drop dead in an instant (v.1-11) yet many others are healed of diseases and demons (v.12-16).

Acts 6-7 - The amazing fact that even when persecution came (the stoning of Stephen) God still found a way to grow, encourage, and strengthen his people.

Acts 8:26-40 - Stories of conversion (Baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch) that inspired the whole church.

Summary
In summation, the first 8 chapters of Acts are all about God building His Church - despite our weaknesses, our fears, and our failures - God will use us! What is possible in the church today? What do we think is impossible? With God all things are possible.

Acts 9-16
This section of Acts introduces to the ministry of Paul, beginning with his conversion in chapter 9. Acts 9:1 - "Meanwhile, Saul (Paul) was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." Now that's some bad breath! Breathing murder - inhale, exhale. How amazing that God was able to use his Road to Damascus event to change everything. The murderer becomes the apostle. The enemy becomes the friend. The persecutor becomes the persecuted.

This section also introduces powerful themes - for example, is faith in Jesus Christ enough to save you? To say it another way - how Jewish do people need to become before they can become a Christian? Circumcision. Teaching the Law. Cultural taboos. These were all critical to the Gospel. Peter answers these claims pretty powerfully in Acts 10 with the family of Cornelius - faith in Christ alone is all you need to be saved. That doesn't mean that the church always agrees (Acts 11:1-17) but over time the Gospel always seems to prevail (Acts 11:18).

Another funny circumstance (if not gross) surrounds the events of Herod's death (Acts 12:19b-23). Conceited Herod thinks he's the king of the Jews, a god perhaps - that didn't last long.

Acts 17-28
The last amazing chapters of Acts have to be read to be understood. We follow Paul all the way to the foot of Caesar. Paul seems to find a way to preach the Gospel even while in prison - God seems to find a way to miraculously keep him alive and well. Although there is little written about some of Paul's dear friends and fellow missionaries (ex: Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos in Acts 18:18-28), you can't help but fall in love with them. It is faithful Christian people like them that kept the faith during the worst of times. They didn't hide when the going got tough...they preached it all the more!

One event that even amazed me as a kid - Paul's shipwreck (Acts 27:13-44). Our God even uses storms and shipwrecks to get you exactly where He needs you to be!

As you read the Book of Acts, know that our God is just as intentional and powerful today! Who knows what plans He might have for us at Hosanna!