Acts: Transition or Model?

   As I think back to the class 'Acts and Pauline Epistles,' I have two distinct memories that relate to Acts.  The first is that Acts is a transitional book, not a normative one.  The second is that Acts ends in a somewhat abrupt fashion which emphasizes Paul's "unhindered ministry."  Yesterday, I looked at the textbook, Gromacki's New Testament Survey, and I found these statements regarding the distinctive features of Acts: first, "Acts must also be seen as a transitional book," then "Acts is basically a book of mission and witness" (pgs 154-155).  After reading the related sections, I think the author is quite concerned about the use of the transitional elements of Acts as a norm for the church today, particularly in Pentacostalism.

   But while everyone would acknowledge that portions of Acts are transitional (e.g. disciples of John no longer live without the Holy Spirit), I wonder if the emphasis on the transitional tends to obscure the pervasive norm which can be seen in Acts.  An emphasis on the transitional nature of Acts puts the focus on the historical nature of the book.  An emphasis on the normative nature of Acts puts the focus on the present Church's need to emulate the early church, particularly in witness. It gives a greater value to understanding how this book can teach doctrine, reprove, correct, and instruct in righteousness.  Thus, we need to consider which aspects of Acts are transitional and which are normative.

  The transitional portions of Acts are relatively few, being those which arise from the newness of God's establishment and confirmation of the church.  1) Thus, believers adjusted to the differences that the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ made - adjusting from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.  2) The Spirit of God poured out His power in particular evidences confirming the new movement: Pentecost, multiple angelic visits and visions, and transporting Philip via the Spirit.  3) No longer were the majority of God's people descended from Abraham; now they came from all nations, and this caused significant upheaval and adjusting.

   Yet these transitional elements are a small portion of what God did in Acts; the primary emphasis seems to be on the witness of the believers to the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah.  Acts 1:8 seems to be an appropriate lens through which to see the book: Jesus' followers would declare what they knew concerning Him in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 1) Acts is a grand demonstration of how to be witnesses, God's way.  2) It speaks of how one should sow the seeds for churches that God will grow.  Acts displays the Gospel making its way into foreign places and chronicles many of the difficulties that can be expected.  3) Acts shows us the Holy Spirit at work: empowering, filling, sending harvesters, guiding, encouraging, and doing what only God can do.

  Let's look to Acts as a model, not a model of the inner working of the church (which is found in the epistles), but as a model of how to be witnesses.  I believe Acts gives us a paradigm for sharing with all who are our neighbors, no matter what corner of the globe they live in.  However, these are recent thoughts, and I would really like to have them critiqued by others... so please, go ahead.