The book of "The Acts Of The Apostles" offers invaluable information about the development of the early Universal Church. It also provides important details about life in the earliest Christian communities: the way of prayer, and community of goods known to the Church in Jerusalem, the administration of baptism in water and baptism in Spirit, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and early attempts at organisation.

All these developments in community life are attributed to the irresistible guidance of the Holy Spirit. The historical book of the New Testament, or 'a history of the rise of Christianity' which traces the development of the early Universal Church after the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Standing between the Gospels and the Epistles, the Book of Acts is a bridge between the life of the Lord Jesus Christ and the ministry of the apostle Peter and Paul.

The title of Acts is somewhat misleading, for only a few of the apostles of Jesus are mentioned in the book. In reality, Acts relates some acts of some of the apostles, primarily Peter and Paul, and involves a time span of about 32 years - from the Ascension of Jesus (about A.D. 30) to Paul's imprisonment in Rome. (about A.D. 62)  The Acts of the Apostles is like drama with two main characters, Saint Peter and Saint Paul. This drama portrays the spread of the Gospels from Jerusalem to the city where Jesus was crucified and to Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire.

Although the author does not identify himself by name, the only identification of the author ever suggested by scholars is Saint Luke, the authorship of both books [Gospel of Luke] the companion of Paul. It is difficult to say when the book of the Acts of the Apostles was written. If the Gospel of Saint Luke were written in the early 70's, the book of Acts would have been composed shortly thereafter. Therefore, the date is as early as A.D. 62 because it ends abruptly with Paul's imprisonment in Rome.

Above all, Luke had the benefit of a wide circle of contacts. In the Book of Acts he mentions at least 95 different persons from 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 Mediterranean islands. From these he gathered information for the first part of Acts, especially, Chapter 1 to 12, and for the Gospel. Luke, however, writes selective history, focusing only on the course of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. As in the Gospel of Luke, he wants his audience to know the truthful and triumphant course of the Gospel, beginning in Jesus and continuing in the Church. - Acts 1:1-2 -

This is his primary motive for writing the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

In addition, however, Saint Luke defends, where possible, the Christian faith from suspicion of sedition or superstition. It is not a secret, subversive cult. On the contrary, it is proclaimed in the city squares for all to hear and judge. This is one reason the many public speeches were included in the Book of Acts. Neither is Christianity political dangerous. - Acts 26:26 -

If Christians are suspected of sedition against Rome, Luke shows that in each instance where they are brought before Roman authorities, they are acquitted.

These men you have brought here are not guilty of any sacrilege or blasphemy against our goddess. - Acts 19:37 -

I found that the accusation concerned disputed points of their Law, but that there was no charge deserving death or imprisonment. - Acts 23:29 -

For my own part I am satisfied that he has committed no capital crime - Acts 25:25 -

'This man is doing nothing that deserves death or imprisonment.' And Agrippa remarked to Festus, 'This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.' - Acts 26:31 - 16:25-40, 17:5-9, 18:12-17 -

Saint Luke devotes nearly one third of the Book of Acts to Saint Paul's imprisonment. (Chapter 21 to 28) He does this not only to show that the Gospel reaches its destination in spite of insurmountable obstacles, but also to show that Paul and his message are not politically subversive.

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -