Book of Acts

Guide Questions:
3. How is Peter portrayed in Acts?
4. Explain the theology of "replacement" underlying the writing of acts.

How is Peter portrayed in Acts?

In Acts, Peter is portrayed as a model disciple for others to emulate.

He is portrayed in Acts 10 as learning something new (10:34-35) after some resistance.

Acts 10:34-35 New International Version (NIV) 34 Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

Explain the theology of "replacement"

The theology of replacement states that the Church has now replaced Israel as the chosen people of God.

 The book of Acts shows that Jesus had not lied when he told Peter I will build my church. We see Jesus Christ actively and powerfully working to build and support the Church, which is his Body. He pours out the gift of holy spirit to all who believe. He adds to the Church those who call on his name. He heals people.

 He is supporting the outreach of his Church in many ways: by signs and miracles and by specific guidance and revelation. Records like the vision he gave to Peter on the rooftop show him preparing the hearts of Christians for ever greater works of service. That he personally appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus shows him building his Body and lightening the persecution of Christians at the same time.

 He is calling out ministries to provide leadership, sending angels to do his work, defending his causes against the Adversarys forces, and encouraging those who stand for him. On two occasions in Acts, he appeared to the Apostle Paul to encourage him (18:9, 23:11). Thus, the book of Acts is indeed a book of acts.

 Jesus is acting powerfully on our behalf, the ascended Christ working hard for his earthbound Church. It is also a book of inspiration and hope for the believer. Although the book of Acts also shows the hard work and suffering involved in the Christian life, it is easy to see how much Christ loves and supports those who give their lives to him.

 The book of Acts also records the history of the early Church as believers reached out with the Word, first to the Jews, and then later to the Gentiles. In the early part of the book of Acts, despite Jesus admonition to his followers to go unto all nations, the message of salvation by grace through faith in Christ was preached only to Jews. Acts faithfully sets forth the growth of the Church.

 First the Jews, then the Samaritans (Acts 8), then the Gentiles (Acts 10). It sets forth the actions of the Church as the Lord Jesus began to reveal the truths that set the Church of the Body apart from the Old Testament. These doctrinal truths are clear in the Church Epistles, which set forth the truth about the administration of grace, in which all believers, no matter

 what their nationality or heritage, Jew and Gentile alike, form the One Body of Christ. The truth of the Sacred Secret (often mistranslated as the Mystery) that is set forth in the Church Epistles was unfolded gradually throughout the period covered in the book of Acts. As we shall see, Jesus Christ will one day confirm all of Gods promises to Israel (Rom. 15:8). He will also give everlasting life to all Gentiles who call upon his name.