ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
Through the pages of this book, we are able to observe how those first students of Jesus – in the physical absence of the Teacher - continued to enjoy a close relationship with Him.
A personal connection with the Teacher was sustained – as it is today – by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Living Presence that Jesus promised to send into the life of every student!
The Book of Acts also chronicles how the church grew. How those first students of Jesus actively recruited other students to enroll in the University of Jesus.
It is the story of how they proceeded to accomplish Jesus’ final instruction – Go into all the world and make students in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Therefore the book is best understood and interpreted as an inspired account of how those first students – in the bodily absence of Jesus – not only maintained a relationship with Him but also enlisted other students in the same process.
Acts shows how those closest to Teacher, both in time and in personal relationship, viewed their responsibilities as His students.
Like the story of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the framework of Acts is a narrative. Yet is more than a history of the early years of Christianity. It is how every student of Jesus will follow the Teacher until His glorious final return.
A modern-day student of Jesus might well conclude the Book of Acts shows how students of Jesus can continue to listen to the Teacher who is now reigning from heaven.
Acts might also be styled: The Teacher/student Relationship Continues by the Power of the Holy Spirit!
A personal connection with the Teacher was sustained – as it is today – by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Living Presence that Jesus promised to send into the life of every student!
The Book of Acts also chronicles how the church grew. How those first students of Jesus actively recruited other students to enroll in the University of Jesus.
It is the story of how they proceeded to accomplish Jesus’ final instruction – Go into all the world and make students in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Therefore the book is best understood and interpreted as an inspired account of how those first students – in the bodily absence of Jesus – not only maintained a relationship with Him but also enlisted other students in the same process.
Acts shows how those closest to Teacher, both in time and in personal relationship, viewed their responsibilities as His students.
Like the story of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the framework of Acts is a narrative. Yet is more than a history of the early years of Christianity. It is how every student of Jesus will follow the Teacher until His glorious final return.
A modern-day student of Jesus might well conclude the Book of Acts shows how students of Jesus can continue to listen to the Teacher who is now reigning from heaven.
Acts might also be styled: The Teacher/student Relationship Continues by the Power of the Holy Spirit!
Thsnk you for continuing this study of His word.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the study. Thanks for serving as the Teacher's assistant!
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed studying Acts and will really enjoy seeing some others perspectives as we read through with the "University of Jesus" mindset.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts about the possibility of Acts being written as a type of legal defense for Paul before "the most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3) ?
No matter the purpose of writing, it still records exactly what you mentioned - "how those first students of Jesus – in the physical absence of the Teacher - continued to enjoy a close relationship with Him."
I also think it interesting that Acts 1:2 mentions Jesus gave them instructions "through the Holy Spirit." We know that Jesus and God were one, but other than the descending of the Holy Spirit at Jesus Baptism the gospels don't mention much about Jesus and the Holy Spirit working together, intertwined, and unified.
Yet the indwelling of the Spirit is how we continue to have the close relationship with Jesus. Which makes sense when we also realize that Jesus and the Spirit were as intertined and unified as they were.