Themes in Acts

Acts 1:8

Introduction

The book of Acts stands as a unique contribution to the whole of scripture.

Before this book, there are no Christians, there is no church.

We have all of the foundations on which these things will be built but then after the book of Acts, the work is already assumed.

So extraordinary things happen here.

But it does not simply play out in happenstance fashion.

God remains in control of the narrative and continues to carry out His divine plan.

That is the picture I want to focus on this morning.

From Jerusalem to Rome

Acts 1:8 is often given as a key verse that gives an outline of the book.

The cities of Jerusalem and Rome represent two kingdoms in the world.

The expansion happens no matter what the enemies do (Acts 5:40-41; 8:4; 12:23-24).

Paul’s journeys show a purposeful expanding of the reach of the gospel (Acts 16:6-9).

Finally, we see Paul going from Jerusalem to Rome in chains (Acts 27:1-3).

The Faithful Remnant Restored

The first sermon points to the fulfillment of restoration promises (Acts 2:17-20, 34).

Allusions are made to an even greater restoration even before the sermon (Acts 2:1-11).

The mighty rushing with with fire reminds us of the glory of God filling the Temple but now it fills people.

The Spirit providing for the unity of language reminds us of when God separated the languages (Gen. 11:7-8).

The church began to fulfill the Law right in the face of unfaithful Israel (Acts 2:44-46; cf. Deut. 15:7-8).

The Divided Kingdom is restored in this New Kingdom (Acts 8:5).

The prophets of this New Jerusalem succeeded where the old had failed (Acts 9:43).

It becomes more and more clear that this was God’s plan all along (Acts 15:16).

God moves from reluctant Peter to recruiting an outright enemy to continue this work (Acts 9:15).

The Captive Set Free

The picture of captive and prison come up throughout the book (Acts 4:17-21; 5:18; 7:58; 8:3; 12:2-3; 16:23; 19:29; 21:33).

Notice the differences in demeanor of the captors and the captives (Acts 4:18-20; 5:29, 40-42; 12:18-19).

The captors end up being the ones who learn from the captives (Acts 16:29-31; 24:25).

As Paul goes to Rome in chains, he is going exactly where God means for him to go (Acts 28:30-31).

Perhaps the most striking example is in the comparison of Stephen and Saul (Acts 7:58-60).

Conclusion

Where do you fit in this picture of the spreading of the gospel?

Are you among the captives who thinks they are free? Then come and see where true freedom lies.

Are you among those who have been set free? Then come and see what that freedom produces.

Throughout this book we see massive crowds and solitary persons come to call on the name of the Lord.

One striking element is the consistency of what that looks like. Submission to the King of kings looks the same for Jew and Gentile, for slave and free, for man or woman, rich or poor. They all receive the same instruction over and over again.

What about you, would you come and give your life to the master this morning. Being buried with Him in baptism for the remission of your sins and be raised up free from the shackles of sin?