The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By August of 2019, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
Introduction – The book of Luke and Acts make up 25% of the NT and therefore play a major role in the story. The themes all revolve around the kingdom with focuses including salvation history, the Spirit, the King, prayer, salvation, and missions.
The Kingdom and Salvation History – The word kingdom occurs 46 times in the book of Luke, and like the other Gospels, the kingdom arrival is the focus of Jesus’s ministry. Acts also begins and ends with references to kingdom. Luke has a particular focus on history in his presentation of the gospel. The fulfillment of the kingdom in grounded in real history. Israel will be saved from their historical enemies so that they may continue to serve their Lord for the kingdom is now here.
The Spirit and the Kingdom in the Gospel of Luke – Luke in particular brings together the kingdom and the Spirit of God. We learn that Jesus Himself was empowered through and by the Holy Spirit in His ministry. We also learn that though Jesus has come, suffering will still be around until the kingdom has arrived in its fullness. The kingdom has come and is evident in the work being done by the Spirit. However, there is still an “already but not yet” feeling that is lingering. Judgment has not happened yet, and remains incomplete.
The Kingdom and the King – There are a few ways that we know the Lukan Jesus is fulfilling the role as the promised King. Firstly, we know that Jesus’s kingdom is based on God’s covenant with David. Just like David, Jesus is the son of God, He is the Christ, and His mission is bound with Jerusalem and centered on the temple. Jesus restores the 12 tribes of Israel, and His rule is over all people and for all of time.
Luke is interesting, because the birth and the Passion narrative both strongly emphasize Jesus as Christ whereas the rest of the book does not. This is because Jesus as Messiah is truly understood in light of the cross. Luke also identifies Jesus as Lord and reminds the readers of His lordship constantly. Jesus’s lordship was veiled during His suffering, but exalted after the resurrection. We also see a resounding theme of Jesus’s authority in the two books. The “name” of Jesus is powerful and not to be taken lightly. We also come to know that the “son of man” will come in glory to share the kingdom. Finally, Luke more than other gospel books emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus as Lord is forever linked to His resurrection and his reign being over all and for all eternity.
Salvation in Luke - Acts – Generally speaking, Luke minimizes the atonement in both books and, instead, emphasizes Jesus as Lord. Though, Luke does teach that Jesus is the prophesied Isaianic servant who will bear the sins of Israel. The book of Acts falls closely in line with the Gospel books. We learn that the age of fulfillment has come through Jesus’s death and resurrection. Now, Jesus is at the right hand of God, and the Spirit has been poured out onto His disciples. Finally, the messianic age will be complete in the return of Christ. “There is an appeal for repentance, and offer of forgiveness, and a promise that the Holy Spirit will be given to those who receive the promise of salvation by baptism.”
Repentance will lead to life and is not limited by any means. We see repeatedly that God desires for His people to repent and believe. Faith is the next step after repentance. Believing is not a matter of virtue but rather trust. Finally, those who persevere in faith will see the kingdom in its fullness. Faith also demands becoming a disciple of Jesus. Being a disciple involves committing to following Jesus and recognizing that only He can do the “impossible” work. “Disciples must deny themselves and follow Jesus and lose their lives for His sake. If they give up their lives, they will gain them in the new world that is coming.” Disciples flee from hypocrisy and look to God for approval over man. Finally, disciples steward their money and belongings in a way that pleases Christ, cares for one another, and recognizes who really owns the blessings.
The Spirit and the Kingdom and Acts -- Jesus is the one anointed with the Spirit. However, Acts shows Jesus pouring out the Spirit onto us. It is through the work of the Spirit that the Gospel will reach the ends of the Earth. The Spirit confirms that Gentiles, without circumcision and by Christ alone, can be saved. This is witness to the truth that gospel apart from law was God’s ultimate desire. Through the Spirit’s power, the gospel will be spread. Acts focuses on four major events: Pentecost, Samaritan ministry, Cornelius spread of the Gospel, and Paul’s ministry to the Ephesian twelve. The Spirit grants through receiving, pouring out, giving, coming upon, falling upon, baptizing, and filling us with Him. The primary role is the extension of the kingdom. The giving of the Spirit in Samaria signals the unification of the people of God. The Spirit is the gift of Christ to us to show the kingdom is here and promises are still to come.
Prayer and the Kingdom -- Prayer in the books are not a focus of piety, but anticipation, joy, and gratitude for the fulfillment of the promises.
Mission and the Kingdom -- The promise of worldwide blessing to Abraham will be fulfilled in and by us through missional ministry. The blessing comes to the Gentiles only through Christ’s suffering. Therefore, there is no Acts without the Gospel of Luke. Paul plays a large role in Acts, because he also plays a large role in the gospel going forth to the nations. Cornelius is the first time that the gospel is extended to the Gentiles. Now, for the first time, there are people of God who are centered on Christ rather than the Torah law. The mission is not complete in Acts, it has only begun.
Conclusion -- Luke uses the books to clearly lay out what it means to believe for true believers are disciples of Christ. He also focuses on the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit to us. The Spirit is poured out for the sake of missional ministry and fulfilling the promise of worldwide blessing.
Themes: Jesus is the fulfillment of the covenant. The Spirit is responsible for the outward spread of the Gospel. God desires for us to repent and believe. Jesus takes discipleship seriously.