The And Of The Bible

The book of Acts is known as 'the birth of the church'. Acts recounts the story of

The Bible is composed of many different stories and narratives. Each one of these individual stories contributes to the greater story of the Bible; sometimes called the Grand Story of Scripture. Within each Story, they have elements that define the setting, characters, climax, and themes. The overall Grand Story of Scripture contains these elements in each of the five divisions: prologue, epilogue, and three acts in between.

Let me explain, in the book of Acts, there is the history of how Christianity came about. The Apostle Peter preached boldly because of the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, the life application here is to turn to the Holy Spirit to give us courage also insight to accomplish what God wants us to do building His kingdom. However, change will take place as new churches are founded. The book of Acts tells us that by faith in Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit, we can face these new problems, challenges as well as give us significant ways to unravel them. The early church was founded by God’s Holy Spirit and His power with the help of his disciples just as it should be today (Acts 1-2

Hedrick, Charles W. “Paul’s Conversion/Call: A Comparative Analysis of the Three Reports in Acts.” Journal of Biblical Literature 100, no. 3 (September 1981): 415–432.

In reading Howard I. Marshall, “Acts”, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. He implied, the most significant for studying and interpreting the book of Acts is how a reader gets out of what he is reading and how he approaches it (Marshall, 17). He states that, “an average reader studies the books of Acts as a history book of the early church” (Marshall, 17). Readers should use critical thinking to seek a deeper revelation. For example: recognizing the authorship to the Gospel of Luke. And seek for what the author’s purpose of writing Luke-Acts (Marshall, 19). Accurate information gives better understanding. In fact, if a reader did not know the culture or customs of the first-century Christian writers of the early church. They would not know the first-century Christian writers were only known to write Letters and Gospels, and not large history literature, as the author did in the book of Acts (Marshall, 18). Who was the author addressing with his literature (Marshall, 18)? With these considerations, it is most significant to have accurate information to be able to study and interpret the true of the book of Acts.

As an individual who finds great personal value in the Scriptures, Brettler provides permission to look at passages from different angles and perspectives. Consequently, a conclusion must be made that one can not put ancient literature into a neat and tidy “this is what the Bible is saying so it must be true” box. There are many parts of the Hebrew Bible that are strange to read. If many were lived out today, it would ostracize people, and to be blunt, land someone in prison. However, all of these passages are included in this great book, the Hebrew Bible, for a reason. They were important to the Jewish culture whom they were written for. Why were they important to the Jewish culture in the Ancient Near East World? Can they bring value to us today? Is it possible to accurately declare that everything in the Hebrew Bible can be exegetically “figured out”, with no unanswered questions, or unresolved mysteries? Of course not. By asking questions, challenging preconceived notions, and examining whether passages in the Hebrew Bible are mythological or fact, one is not agreeing to a predetermined diminishment of personal spiritual and faith principles derived from the Scriptures.

I think Saul/Paul is the main character in the book of Acts. I know of no other person, other than Jesus himself, which shaped the history of Christianity like Paul did. Paul was transformed by God from a Pharisee and tent maker, a persecutor of Christians, and prior to his conversion on the road to Damascus, to a preacher for Christ.

The reason that the Bible was created because the stories and books in it was chosen because it taught some sort of lesson that related Christianity and showed examples of what to do and what not to do to please the God. The Bible is a collection of books that were written thru out the ages, it wasn't until (referring back to the first discussion question and my opinion on it) J,P,E,D turned the first five books of the Bible that was could have been verbally and physically written by Moses, into the Pentateuch. This started the creation of the Bible by gathering stories that relate to God, that would teach lessons to help them understand God and Jesus. So the Christian followers could read these philosophical lessons at any point

The Acts of the Apostles is a historical and biblical book detailing the activities of the founders of the Christian church, immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is the fifth book of the New Testament and it tells of the founding of Christianity and the spread of its message to the Roman empire. The Acts translates the words, actions, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and it forms the basis of much of Christian beliefs today. The Acts and the Gospel of Luke making up a two-part work known as the Luke- Acts; written by an anonymous author who was believed to be one of the apostles by the name of Luke. Although the Acts talks mainly about two apostles,

In our reading of Acts, we read a story about a man named Stephen. He is considered the first martyr. During this story, we are introduced to a man named Saul. We start to follow his story were he persecuted and killed Christians, his goal was to rid the world of such beliefs. As the story continues we find that the Lord visits Saul on his way to persecute more Christians. Saul is then struck will blindness. As the story continues, we learn that Saul became a Christian and changed his name to Paul and wanted to start the Lord’s work. We follow Paul’s journey through his many successes and his many hardship that he would face on his way to becoming one of the greatest Apostles.

Even thou, Luke does not lead his readers to a pneumatological or a Christological viewpoint, he sailed in motion a theological ‘Historical Jesus’ narrative, as Immanuel – meaning God with us.14 The Book of Acts is that of paradoxical narrative, the fulfillment of the divinely promise outpouring of the Spirit, specifically because Jesus has been given that promise.15 However, the argument is not quite complete, Peter argued from the exaltation of Jesus to that fact he was the giver of the Spirit, but his ultimate aim was to claim that Jesus was not only Messiah, but also Lord.16

Stephen is important in Acts because he is an example of being faithful, submitting to authority, serving others, knowing scripture, boldly sharing the gospel regardless of the consequences, and forgiving those who hate you. His testimony makes it clear that in persecution, even facing death, the reward you receive in heaven is worth it. Stephen shows us the pain in this world is fleeting, but the reward is eternal. He story also introduces Saul/ Paul, who wrote thirteen books in the New Testament.

Living in a nation today where people of my own skin color are being discriminated against is a hard fact to grasp. Personally, by the grace of God, I have never encountered a situation where the color of my skin has been a problem. This does not deny the fact there is this problem out in the world. Discrimination can be in many forms race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, and even age. These many forms of discrimination would cause a division in our nation. Now the church has tried to find ways to mend this division that is created between people. In Paul’s letters to the Ephesians he addresses this issue.

First and foremost, it is imperative to understand the Bible and the history of it in order to fully relate the message of the Word of God, clearly to other people. Theology is the study of God and who he is throughout history, where evangelism ties into teaching that truth. In order to identify with the character of God, one must understand him. You need to understand the attributes of God, his unchangeableness, his independence, that he is omnipresent, and eternal. Also it needs to be understood that we will not fully understand who God is either. That in order to share who God is you must study your bible, and at times the history of the times, the context of the stories, and where they were written in order to teach accurately.

I have read this passage of Acts for many years and now I find new teachings about the church in this modern era. The first community was a multicultural one. That is the reason what the Bible is amazing for, when we read it seeking with confidence the answer for our questions, we find it and this come still from the same passage. Do not mind the language, the culture, do not mind any else, you get the answer.