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III.       PURPOSE OF ACTS

Three words may be used to suggest the overall grand purposes of Acts: registration, vindication, edification.

A.       Registration

The written record of the history of redemption makes up a substantial part of both the Old and New Testaments.  The experiences of individual believers, as well as those of the corporate people of God, are registered in the Bible, thereby demonstrating before the audience of the ages that redemption is real, dynamic, and worthy to be sought.  God moved Luke to record the narrative of the Early Church in the Holy Scriptures in order to show the Church's relation: 1) to the past (continuation); 2) to the future (propagation).

                    1.       Continuation

The words recorded by Luke reveals this aspect of the narrative.  His purpose in the third Gospel was to record, like the writers before him, the origins of Christianity "To compile an account of the things accomplished among us" (Luke 1:1).  The first verse of Acts, by citing "all the Jesus began . . . to do and teach" implies that Luke intends to show how Acts continues the story of Jesus as the ascended, exalted One (Acts 1:2, 9).

                    2.       Propagation

Throughout Acts the thrust is one of extension, propagation, multiplication, and advance.  Externally, the advance is from Jerusalem to Rome; internally, it moves from a Jewish hearing to a universal audience.  Overall, the Church makes fantastic progress in its first three decades of life, and Luke accurately registers this phase of its history.

          B.       Vindication

Acts was written soon after the last event of its narrative.  Why was there no delay or waiting period, as with the Gospels?  As we approach the question we must recognize that although each book of the Bible was written primarily for the ages, its publication date was ordained by God so that its message could fill a contemporary need as well.  A study of the times in which Luke wrote reveals that Acts apparently was given to the Roman world to let the history and message of the Church vindicate its claim to divine origin.  The Church needed to make clear to the Roman government that Christianity was not to be associated with Judaism, though both claimed the same God and same Old Testament Scriptures.  In fact, Luke emphasized in Acts that the leaders of Judaism considered Christians as heretical and blasphemous, and that this formed the basis for most of the persecutions of the disciples of that day.  There was a divine purpose in such a clarification of the Church's identity at this time, for in just a few more years rebellion of Jewish authorities against the Roman Empire would lead to war. That war would eventually culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem (about A.D. 70) by the Romans.

                    1.       Legality

One purpose of the work is to record consistent legal precedents in favor of the early believers.  Every Roman court in Acts declares Christians not guilty.  Josephus makes similar claims on Judaism in his writings to the Roman world, so it only seems logical that a writer of current Church History would include the legal aspects of the movement giving legal precedent for future generations.

2.       Apologetics

All history is written with a purpose; to influence the reader and demonstrate actions as justified or non-justified.  Josephus and other scholars used it to advance their own ideas, principles and morality. History whether current or ancient, is no less history for having an interest or editorial perspective.  Aside from the obvious, Luke’s perspectives are based on truth, cross-cultural communications, and world evangelism.

          C.       Edification

The primary purpose of Acts must have been edification, for it was inspired and written to profit in teaching, to bring reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.  Acts uplifts and edifies the Church of God.  A soul may learn how to be saved from Acts, but the Book was written primarily for the believer's instruction in how to live and serve God.  Our study of Acts should be geared to learning what the Book teaches about Christian living and the mission of the Church of which we are a part. The fruits of studying Acts are multiplied when it is studied in connection with the Epistles of the New Testament, for which it provides the setting and background.

Luke’s review of the growth of the Church reveals the pattern of life in the early parts of many ministries.  Its power, its objectives, its methods, its essential organization and discipline as well as missionary expansion; acts as a handbook for the believer.  It shows its effectiveness and principles which do nothing but edify the reader.

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