Acts

Book of Acts  

Title: The Acts of the Apostles – second book by Luke   

Date of writing: before 70 AD.

Date of Narrative: from Ascension to arrival of Paul to Rome (around 60-62 AD).  

Structure: Based on the 1:8 there can be set a geographical structure of Acts

Jerusalem: ch. 1 – 7

“Judea”: 8 – 15 (coming back to Jerusalem)

“Samaria”: 16 – 22:29 (coming back to Jerusalem)

Ends of the earth: 22:30 – 28 (toward Rome)

Main themes: The reign of Ascended Christ reaching the ends of the earth:  

·        Who is the real rule – question to Sanhedrin, and the rulers.

·        The leadership of the church, Peter and Paul.

·        Fellowship of Jews and Gentiles.

Main Characters:

Jesus, Holy Spirit, Peter, James, Paul, John Mark (gospel writer), Barnabas, Luke, Stephan, Dorcas, Lydia  

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

The first part of the Book is closely associated with the Temple (2:46), therefore it is important to know Ex. 25 – 31, 1 Kg. 6 – 8, Ezr. 1 – 6.

Samaritans are the people who were brought to the Israel territories by Assyrians (2 Kings 17). People from other lands intermingled with the “leftovers” of the Israelites. Therefore, they can and should be consider as ‘cousins’ to the people of God.

Relationship with the gentiles is based on Lev. 17-19 (Holiness Code). The difference between the Older Testament institutions and the decision of the Jerusalem council is the absence of the “second class” membership in the Church. 

The missionary journeys of Paul set up a historical background for the letters of Paul, Pater, John, and the Revelation (note that the churches in Revelation are the churches that Paul worked very closely with).

Lutheran teaching:

The teaching on the children baptism is based on Acts 2:38-39. Both Augsburg Confession (IX:2) and its Apology (IX:53), and both part of Formula of Concord – Epitome (XII:8) and Solid Declaration (XII:13).

One of the passages that supports the hallmark of the Lutheran teaching on justification by grace through faith is Acts 10:43. Over and over Melanchthon repeats in in the Apology of Augsburg Confession – IV(II):83; V(III):152/273; XIIa(V):65; XX:79.

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 493 – A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing – Ascension

LSB 900 – Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love uses two verses of Acts 4:12 and 10:43.

Relevancy of the Book:

Though the Book of Acts does not present a model that the modern church should copy, the pattern for the leadership, ministry, and outreach will always be important for the development of the church: current and in the future.    

Also, apart from general pattern, there are many lessons a believer can learn for oneself: how God works through His Word and Sacraments and encourages us to bear witness to death and resurrection of Christ and salvation in the name of Jesus. One of the formation passages can be found in 2:42 where Christ-centered ministry is presented in four main aspects of a life of a Christian: Studying of the Word, fellowship of the believers, regular partaking of the sacraments, and vigorous prayerful life.   

Memory verses:  

4:11-12 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the corner-stone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

28:17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans”.