The Book of Acts

Last week we spoke of the four evangelistic tracts known as the Four Gospels. This week we will consider an additional Book to include in the section that is historical, and that is the Book of Acts.

The Book of Acts is authored by one of the Four Evangelists that wrote a Gospel Account. I am referring to Luke. And of the four Gospels, Luke takes greater pains to stick to the kind of details to which we are accustomed in modern histories and biographies.

Consider the introduction to Luke’s Gospel Account. “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (1:1-4).

Now consider his introduction to the Book of Acts. “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen” (1:1-3). Then Luke proceeds to give us the only account in Scripture, save allusions in the letters, of the early spread of Christianity and the founding of churches.

We know from Acts that Christianity spread in many directions, notably to Africa, to Syria, eastward towards Persia, and indeed throughout the whole of the Roman Empire. But Luke, who was a missionary traveling companion with the Apostle Paul, especially chronicles the activity of the Apostles Peter and Paul, with Peter early on, and with Paul for the balk of the rest of his second Book. I like to think of “Acts” as the continued actions of Christ via the Holy Spirit through his Apostles.

Since You Asked…

What does the Advent Wreath Symbolize?

The circle of the wreath reminds us of eternity and our God and Father who has no beginning and no end. The green boughs indicate the hope of life being renewed. The candles represent Christ, the Light of God, who comes into this dark world to bring light and life. The four colored candles lit successively over the four Sundays in Advent, represent the patience required in waiting for Christ’s coming. As there were centuries of waiting between the Old Testament prophets and the birth of Christ, so we must patiently wait for Christ’s return at the end of the age. At Gift of Grace we wait until Christmas Eve to finally light the white center candle (the Christ Candle) to indicate that the fulfillment of the promise of God with the birth of the Christ Child on the first Christmas morn.