The Writings of Acts

The book of Acts was written by Luke and unfolds like a play with multiple scenes. In the first scene Luke writes about the time when Jesus’ disciples were waiting and praying in an upper room in Jerusalem with 120 other Christians. They all believed in Jesus and were waiting for the promise from Jesus to be fulfilled. Suddenly there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm. Flames of fire seemed to appear from nowhere and settle on each of them without anyone being hurt. Luke had heard that it was incredible – none of them had ever seen or felt anything like this before! The Holy Spirit filled each believer with power and special abilities. It was a miraculous experience and everyone who was in the room changed dramatically. Peter healed a man who had been lame from birth, demon- possessed people were set free, and as Peter preached 3,000 people believed the good news about Jesus and chose to become Christians. This day was the birth of the Christian church! 

In the second scene Luke tells us about the time when his friend Paul first encountered Jesus. Luke tells us that Paul was a very different person and he even had a different name - Saul. Saul violently opposed Christians. He was going from town to town hunting and arresting them because he thought they were disobeying the law and not following the Jewish traditions. Luke tells us that when Saul was on the dusty road to Damascus, he saw a bright light and Jesus spoke directly to him. Immediately he fell to the ground. Moments later Saul was completely blind! Saul could see nothing at all and would not eat or drink. After three days a Christian named Ananias put his hands on Saul and prayed for him. Saul could see again! But even more important than this miracle was the special plan that Jesus had for Saul. Saul was to share the good news of Jesus with all people, especially those who were not Jews. Saul’s whole life changed when he encountered Jesus – he went from harming Christians to helping them! In the next scene Saul is given a new name, Paul. Paul sets out on his first missionary journey to share the good news about Jesus. Because Paul had experienced Jesus for himself he can preach with boldness. Firstly, Paul preaches to the Jews, but they reject him and his message. Then God tells Paul to share his message with the Gentiles. 

Another scene unfolds, and Paul is arrested, stripped naked and beaten very badly. Paul was thrown into prison and his feet were chained. You might think that Paul would struggle to keep his faith, but Luke tells us that Paul did not give up on God. Around midnight Paul and another Christian in the prison were praying together and singing to God. Suddenly a massive earthquake shakes the prison. All the doors swing open and the prisoners’ chains fall off. There is an opportunity for Paul and his friend Silas to escape but they choose to stay. The jailor was so scared by this experience that he asked Paul and Silas immediately how he could be saved? They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” We can see from this story that salvation is a free gift from God. We can also see that God can use people in any position to share their faith and help people to come to know Jesus. 

In the next scene Paul is on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. There is a terrible storm with strong winds. The sailors are afraid and lose hope. The ship smashes against the rocks again and again. The force of the waves tears the ship apart and it sinks. Everyone must swim to shore. Once again God protected Paul. On the island God continues to show that he is with Paul. God helps Paul to do mighty things including healing people and saving him from the bite of a poisonous snake.

Many scenes throughout the book of Acts tell us about the terrible suffering endured by the many faithful servants of God. But as more Christians are harmed and oppressed, the good news about Jesus spreads among the people like fire would spread through the woods. Luke tells us that some Christians, like Stephen, were even killed for believing in Jesus. We can see that their passion for Jesus and their courage cannot be stopped. This book records how the church experienced the power of God in so many ways. The good news has spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and to many distant regions. As Luke’s story finishes, we can see that the message of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit is for everyone!