ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (5) | THEOLOGY

1. Theology

a) Acts is a book of history, but it is also a book of theology. It interprets the words, actions, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and it forms the basis of much of what Christians believe. Acts tells of the birth of the Christian Church through the coming of the Holy Spirit.

b) Throughout Acts, the Christian leaders are filled with the Holy Spirit to guide and empower their missionary work. From beginning to end, Acts tells how the Holy Spirit inspired, nurtured, guided and comforted the Church.

c) At the time Jesus was crucified, His disciples and followers were nearly all Jews. Acts tells how God's covenant with the Jews is now expanded to include all people of the world. The Christian leaders decided that the Gentiles who converted to Christianity did not have to observe the Jewish traditions about circumcision, diet, Sabbath observance, etc. This opened the way for large numbers of non-Jews to become Christians. As more and more Gentiles converted, Christianity lost its uniquely Jewish character and emerged as a separate religion.

d) The lives of the early Christians give us many examples of the ideals of Christian living. We see the holiness, dedication and boldness of Peter and Paul, the courage and forgiveness of Stephen, the piety and devotion of Cornelius, the trust of Barnabas, the obedience of Philip, and the idyllic communal life of the early Christians.