The New Testament Would Be Incomplete Without What Book?
Today, I want us to consider this question for our study time. The New Testament is broken down into the following areas: (1) Gospels, (2) History, (3) Letters and Epistles, and (4) Prophecy.
This study I am preparing to present is by no means a complete exposition or commentary on the Book of Acts. It is a belief of mine, backed up by Luke’s writings, as to why I believe the New Testament would be incomplete without it. Please bow your heads with me as we bow down to the throne of our Lord and pray for His Spirit to work through me: to give you insight of God’s word on the subject.
The Book of Acts, which some call the fifth Gospel or a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, is the only book in the New Testament which is in the history category. It was tested by an unbeliever, Sir William Ramsey, for accuracy. After his thorough and critical investigation and fact-finding mission, he declared that Luke was the greatest historian – ancient and modern at that time. His findings caused him to become a believer of Jesus Christ. Praise God for his infallible word!
Why do I believe that the New Testament would be incomplete without the Book of Acts? I’d like to answer that question by showing five (5) different areas of the Book of Acts and the importance of it to the New Testament.
First, I take a look at the background of Luke’s writing it. Then, I’ll discuss his purpose for writing it. Thirdly, I will write/talk about the theme and messages that the Book of Acts contains. The fourth thing I want to discuss is looking at nine (9) major topics within the book that characterizes it as a necessary part of the New Testament, and lastly, what principles can we interpret from the book and do they apply to us today?
If you have ever been to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you know that although it borders New Jersey, to get from PA to NJ, when heading to Atlantic City, NJ you must cross the Walt Whitman bridge to get there.
Acts is just like that. It is a bridge that joins the Gospels to the Epistles/Letters. Without Acts, I believe there would be a large gap causing many Epistles and Letters to be misunderstood or not understood at all. Dr. Houston, in his commentary on the Book of Acts, put it like this, “If the Books of Acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it.”
All four Gospels record last facts about Christ. Matthew’s last recorded fact is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Mark’s last recorded fact is of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Luke’s last recorded is the promise of the Holy Spirit. John’s last recorded fact is the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Why mention these last recorded facts in the gospels? What significance do they have with the Book of Acts? They are all mentioned and recorded in the first Chapter of Acts! Acts gives the history of the founding of the church to which all the Epistles and Letters are directed to. Do you think our creator God knew what he was doing when He inspired Luke to write Acts? ABSOLUTELY! Praise our Lord.
The two (2) books that Luke authored, the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, portray an accurate, historical account of the beginning of Christianity. Acts covers part of the first thirty (30) years of the church’s history. Some important background facts are that Luke traces the growth of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome. Luke mentions 32 countries, 54 cities, 9 Islands in the Mediterranean, 110 different people by name, and a host of government officials by their titles or positions. Acts has been accepted and placed among writings that prove God’s authoritative word. These background facts show the importance of history in Acts that have been proven and accepted. Sir William Ramsey played a significant part in proving Luke’s accuracy.
So, what was Luke’s purpose in writing this book and recording the beginnings of the church? He has a two-fold purpose. One, he shows how the Gospel is spread beyond just Jewish believers to the Gentiles. Even though there was much opposition and persecution, this Book of Acts shows how the Gospel eventually reached most of the Roman empire. Secondly, Luke shows the role of the Holy Spirit as centered and foremost in the church’s life and mission. He puts emphasis on baptism in the spirit to show God’s way of empowering the church to spread Jesus’ gospel and in continuing Jesus’ ministry.
What then is the message and theme Luke is giving us in Acts? In his Gospel, Luke tells of the works Jesus began to do and teach. In Acts, he shows us Jesus’ work continued through the power of the Holy Spirit after his ascension into heaven. The Holy Spirit empowers believers individually and collectively as a church body to work in communities, cities, regions, and nations throughout the world. The key verse in Acts, 1:8, gives us a summary of the spiritual and geological focus of the book. Believers will receive the power of the Holy Spirit to spread Christ’s message in Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7), in all of Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12), and the uttermost part of the earth (Chapters 13-28). This book gives us a blending of God’s power and purpose, working through human activity – the church – the body of Christ that went everywhere preaching the word. (Acts 8:4) Because of that, the message of Christ made an impact on cities in their entirety at once. (Acts 8: 5-13) It shows Peter in the beginning preaching to Jews and Paul in the latter part preaching to all other nationalities – The Gentiles.
Some features of the Book of Acts are the preeminence of our Lord Jesus Christ at work from his place in heaven (conversation with Saul for example); the preeminence of the Holy Spirit (which the promise of the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Gospel of John four times); the power of the church; and the preeminence of the church. Also mentioned is the preeminence of places and 110 people mentioned by Luke. Luke also discusses the preeminence of the resurrection which the early church used as the very center and heart of their sermon messages. There is also a preeminence of Peter in the first part of Acts and of Paul in the last part.
There are nine (9) major topics also discussed in the Book of Acts. The church, the Holy Spirit; the early church messages (spirit inspired sermons by Peter, Stephen, Paul, James, and others); prayer; signs, wonders, and miracles; persecution; Jew/Gentile sequence of spreading the gospel; women; and the triumph of the message (there were no barriers – national, religious, cultural, or racial).
In view of the aforementioned, and in reading the Book of Acts, what principles can be interpreted from it? I see God as giving us the Book of Acts as more than a history of the early church. I believe he gave us Acts as a living guide for Christian living and for a spirit filled church. We should be living our lives and pastoring our churches by the same types of ministry and experiences that were evident in the New Testament church at its inception. (Preaching the meaning and content of the Gospel!) There is nothing revealed in Acts (miracles, spiritual gifts, and standards for the church) that suggest these were relevant only for a period of time. They are just as relevant today as they were then!
Christians today have the same purpose – spreading the gospel – and the same need – indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit for power and guidance.
Without Acts in the New Testament, it is this writer’s opinion that we would be without the historical truths of spreading Christ’s message under the power of the Holy Spirit that was given us as promised on the Day of Atonement/Pentecost.
In conclusion, I pray that father God blesses all of you with this message from the reading and studying of his word. May your desire to go deeper grow stronger for further revelation. May you not only gain knowledge and understanding, but may you also be blessed with discernment, and the ability to apply what you have learned to your life. It will make all of us better servants of our Lord and enable us to let his light fully shine through us, causing others to want what we have – The Lord Jesus Christ as our savior!!!! God bless all of you and thank you for your attention. Amen.
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