Today I am beginning a series on a subject which all Truth seekers should find interesting–The Book of Acts. As is the case with everything found in God’s Instruction Book for mankind, that which is written IN one place is also written ABOUT in other places. Also, the true meanings and explanations concerning a particular passage are normally found elsewhere in The Book. For this reason Biblical interpretation is not only not necessary, but is a sin. God stated in 2 Pet. 1:20 that He forbids the interpretation of His Word. Interpretation is simply man’s attempt to make the Bible say what he wants it to say, which is contrary to what the Lord actually says. Interpretation is not necessary in that THE BIBLE INTERPRETS ITSELF for those interested in searching out God’s Truth. Those who are interested only in being assured that they are saved and on their way to heaven (both “truths” are unscriptural) will not obey God’s Bible study instructions found in Isaiah 28:9,10. Here He states that only those who have graduated from the milk of the Word (Jn. 3:16) and have embraced the meat of the Word (Heb. 6:1,2), who study His Word “precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” will be able to learn what He teaches relative to inheriting eternal life. Let us approach the Book of Acts with such an Isaiah 28:9,10 mind(heart)set and explore not only what the apostles did, said and wrote, but what God has to say about what they did, said and wrote. Let us now begin our study of this important message from the Lord.

Chapter one verse one: Though the author of the Book of Acts is not provided in the tome, we know from reading Luke 1:1-3 that it was Luke himself who penned it. Written in the early 60’s A.D., the purpose of the letter was to provide a chronological account of the ministries of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. Luke’s account deals with the early ministries of the 12 until they began going into “all the world” to take Christ’s Words to the scattered Israelites. Following their departure from the Middle East and North Africa the narrative concentrates on the ministry of Saul of Tarsus, later called Paul, a most unlikely candidate for apostleship in that he had caused the imprisonment and martyrdom of many of God’s people. Beginning with chapter 9 Luke writes almost exclusively about this former Pharisee’s ministry.

In verse 1 Luke tells us that he is writing his letter to Theophilus in order to remind him of things he had written to him earlier in a letter we know as the Gospel of Luke (1:3). Of particular importance is the use of the word “began” in reference to what Jesus did and taught. That word tells us that He expected His apostles then and now to do and teach exactly as He “began to do and teach.” A few–His true servants–have done so. These are His “lights” to the world (Mat. 5:14-19), meaning that His chosen ministers would live (do) and teach (speak and write) His Word, particularly His Ten Commandment Law as Matthew 5:16-19 attests. His true servants continue to serve as His “lights” to this day by living (doing)and teaching (speaking and writing) His Law/Word. L.J.