The podcast discusses whether the book of Acts is prescriptive or descriptive for the modern church, explores the meaning and practice of baptism in Acts, reflects on signs and wonders in Acts, and explores the relationship between Galatians and the Jerusalem Council.
The book of Acts is not prescriptive for how the church should operate today, highlighting the need for discernment and wisdom in determining which aspects are applicable in the modern context.
Acts provides clarity on the meaning and significance of baptism, emphasizing its role as an outward expression of faith and belonging to the new community of believers.
Deep dives
Is the book of Acts prescriptive or descriptive for how the church should operate today?
The book of Acts is not prescriptive for how the church should operate today. It showcases various events and actions that were specific to the first-century church and may not be applicable in the same way in the modern context. Examples like Paul's journey to Rome by boat, Ananias and Sapphira's punishment, and the use of handkerchiefs for healing highlight practices that are not mandatory or widely practiced today. While Acts provides insight into the lordship of Jesus and the foundation of the church, it requires wisdom and discernment to determine which aspects are paradigmatic for the present-day church.
What guidance does Acts give about baptism, its meaning, and how to do it?
Acts provides clarity on the meaning of baptism. It traces its roots back to John the Baptist and attributes a new significance to it in light of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Baptism symbolizes identification with Jesus and participation in his redemptive work. The mode and recipients of baptism in Acts are flexible, demonstrating a readiness to baptize individuals or households upon profession of faith. While there are differing views on the specifics of baptism within the Western church, Acts emphasizes the importance of baptism as an outward expression of faith and belonging to the new community of believers.
How do we reflect on the signs and wonders performed by the apostles in Acts?
Acts presents various signs and wonders associated with the apostles. In understanding these phenomena, it is crucial to avoid a narrow understanding of miracles as extraordinary interventions by an absent God. Instead, Acts encourages recognizing the ever-present activity of God in the world. God can work in extraordinary ways, such as healings or divine interventions, as well as in more subtle ways, like prompting individuals through the Holy Spirit or orchestrating divine appointments. The occurrence of signs and wonders is not within our control and remains mysterious. The focus is on the prayerful, wise, and faithful life of the church, which nurtures an environment where signs and wonders may occur in God's sovereign plan.
Is church life in Acts prescriptive for us today? What guidance does Acts give about baptism? How should we understand the signs and wonders in Acts? Tom responds to these and more questions from participants on the NT Wright Online video course on The Acts Of The Apostles.