The book of Acts, written by Dr. Luke is more of an historical book. There are a number of doctrines that flows throughout the book. Many of the critical doctrines today are spoken to in the book of Acts.
Many of theological arguments, agreements and disagreements can be found in the book of Acts. The major theological contribution of this writing has four major doctrines.
1 The Person of Jesus Christ
The foundation of the faith of the first disciples was a person, a person who lived among them and claimed to be the son of God. Luke began the book of Acts with some affirmations about Jesus.
The risen Christ gave evidence and encouragement to the disciples to face the task that was before them (Chapter 1:15). The ascended Christ universalized the gospel (Chapter 1:9). The coming Christ, will return to bring to a climax point all that God has done. The sermons included in the book of Acts further develop these themes according to Jesus Christ and affirms that all this happened in fulfillment of the promise of God which was made to the people of Israel.
2. The Origin and the nature of the Church
The book of Acts is important, perhaps because of the insight it gives regarding the origin and nature of the church. In every century, God’s people raise the question, who are we? And why are we here? The definite answers to these questions are found in the book of Acts.
The practice that provide empowerment for the people of God was prayer. In the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the church was empowered by the ministry of the Holy Spirit to which God has called it.
The Book of Acts outlines the qualities that should characterize God’s people in every generation
- Doctrinal study,
- Fellowship,
- Worship at the Lord’s table,
- Prayer,
- Mutual support and
- Evangelism.
In a really dramatic story of healing (Chapter 3:1-10) Luke epitomizes the ministry of the church. The ministry of the church is to take the resources available to them and apply them to the needs of the people around us.
3. The challenge of Missions
The story of expansion of the church through every barrier that was put up, reminds us of the mission of the mission of the church. The mission of the church is to move out in the command of Christ (Chapter 1:8, great commission verse). Jesus gave a command to take his witness to every inhabitant, no matter what the cost may be. From the moment the apostles moved out of the upper room, motivated by the presence of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the gospel to the city of Jerusalem, until the book closed with Paul in Rome proclaiming the gospel of Christ, the book of Acts reminds us that our purpose, as God’s people is to be on mission for him, no matter who we are. If we are born again Christians, then this is our mission.
In Acts chapters 1 through 7, we can see the mission outreach of the church primarily to the Jews in Jerusalem. In chapter 8, the mission outreach of the church gradually expands to include the Samaritans. In chapter 10, the mission of the expands to include gentiles. Cornelius (Chapter 10:1) and the gentiles in Antioch, received Christ in response to the preaching of the gospel. Beginning in Acts chapter 13 with the missionary journeys of Paul, the missions ventures out, to spread throughout the world, the whole world as known at that time. Luke explained to the people of his day, the whole-wide scope of the mission challenge.
4. The Doctrine of God.
The book of Acts proclaims that God started something in Jesus Christ that cannot be stopped. The purpose of the book, then is on GOD. Primarily in the teaching of the Holy Spirit, Paul gives us the purpose the book. Therefore, it is a picture of the presence of the God in the life of a believer through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit provides power (chapter 8:1); boldness (5:29) and character. The terms we often use of signs and wonders, is a common phrase Luke used throughout the book and was used to indicate the power of God which is made manifest in our own lives. The disciple relied on the power of God in their bold proclamation of the gospel.
The book of Acts records the purpose of God. God purposes is to provide every person with an opportunity to respond to his love and grace so that they may be redeemed. The victory of God, given in the book of Acts is not complete till we also what Luke said about the love of God. See chapter10:34
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism. Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. Then Peter began to speak: “Now I understand that God shows no partiality.
All people were created by God and all people have equal opportunity to be restored to God through Christ. God’s love is for all of mankind. Luke was providing for the people of his day a portrait of God and a perception of the church which would inspire and encourage them as they carry out their work.
Erick Chepkwony, TH.D 