The Acts of the Apostles?

     The title the church has used to refer to the "Acts of the Apostles" is interesting, especially when we consider that of the 12 only Peter, and to a lesser extent John, are mentioned with any frequency by name in the first half of the book, Then they all but disappear in part 2 where Paul becomes the primary human character during the missionary journeys and his journey, as a prisoner, to Rome (though there is a little "reunion" at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15!). Dr. Luke really wants us to understand that Acts is presenting God's continuing story. Jesus is building his church, and has sent the Holy Spirit to empower his followers to carry out that mission. The abrupt ending of Acts is also an invitation to the reader to consider his own part in the continuing story.
       We can avoid a lot of confusion in interpreting and applying the book of Acts by remembering that it is describing a transitional period in the history of God's people. The charge Jesus gave to his disciples in Acts 1:8 is exactly what we see unfolding in the story. After the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost we see the witness bearing activity of the church moving outward towards the "ends of the earth." The early conversions in Jerusalem (Acts 2-3), the continued growth through tests from within and without (4-7), the persecution intensifies to the point that the believers are "scattered [like seed]" but God is still at work (8:1,4).  The shocking ministry to the Samaritans (8) followed by the unexpected conversion of a lone Ethiopian eunuch, the conversion of a young persecutor named Saul (9), the first gentile and his family believe (10), a cosmopolitan church is planted in Anitoch (11). James is martyred and Peter departs "to another place" (12), the missionary journeys, etc. (13 ff.). God is at work, and despite the circumstances and challenges nothing is going to stop what he is doing!
      As we seek to interpret and apply the book of Acts it is important to ask what was unique about the situation "then and there." What has changed by the time we get to the end of the story?  Was there something unique and foundational about the ministry of the apostles? What principles have continuing validity as God continues his mission today?  These and other questions will guide us in understanding God's Word to the church today, and hopefully, will lead us to a better understanding of our place in God's Story. What do you think?