In bible class, we are studying the book of Acts. The title suggests that it is the Acts of the Apostles and I understand how that could be derived. For the writer, everyone assumes it is Luke, writes about the actions of Apostles. However, if you give this book a more in depth look, I believe that it should be named differently.
     In my studies at Harding University, a religion based college, one of my Professors suggested that the Title would be more appropriately "Some of the Acts of some of the Apostles" due to the fact that only a few of the Apostles and their actions are mentioned within the contents of the writings. Not only were only a few actually written about, 4, but not even all of their actions chronicled. The writer himself, admits that only a few of their activities were written about so that the reader could gain a stronger faith, based upon these actions by those who followed Jesus.
     However, not all of the Apostles were written about. Were the others also performing miraculous signs and wonders as well? How about the disciples other than the 12? I say they were all involved in the expansion of the Body of Christ. Therefore, I pose the argument that even my Professor had it wrong and the title of the writings should have been, "Some of the Acts of the Holy Spirit in expanding the Body of Christ." Or if one wants "Acts of the Holy Spirit" for short. Here is why...
     As mentioned before, there were only a few of the actual 12 that were discussed in the signs and wonders of what was going on. Peter was shown preaching and taking a lead role not only on Pentecost but at other times in the book. John was also mentioned and seems to have been a traveling companion to Peter. Yet, others were also mentioned, and the actions of the Holy Spirit were more in line with what was happening in this book. For instance, when Peter and John were entering the temple and healed the cripple man in Acts 3. It was not a planned action but a Spirit guided action, the man had been taken there for years and when he saw Peter and John entering he took note of them. My belief is that he noticed them due to their not being the usual crowd that came through the gate and as a beggar saw a chance to request assistance from a new source that was not used to his pleas and therefore hardened to his advances. Yet he did not seem to believe that they would be overly generous, as he looked away. Peter had to command his attention, "LOOK at us" was his response to the beggar. That invites me to believe that Peter and John did not intentionally plan this whole thing, but that the Spirit was active in guiding this whole miraculous healing so that there could be no doubt about what had occurred.
     Then we see other individuals involved throughout this book such as Paul. Was he one of the original 12? Anyone familiar with the Gospels know that Paul was not. Not only that he was not listed among the 12 but that he also was not a disciple of Jesus at all. In fact, Saul as he was named by his parents, was a very devout and devoted Pharisee of Pharisees. He spent the better part of his time persecuting the new converts to Christ's Body (Acts 8). Yet most of the latter part of this book is devoted to the actions of the Holy Spirit through this same individual, and he becomes known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.
     Saul played a role in the execution of many Christians, including one of the disciples that the Spirit works strongly through. Stephen was not an Apostle and yet the Spirit worked strongly in him and he is discussed on several occasions in this book. The most thorough of which is his denunciation of the Israelites and his stoning; where Saul was standing there watching, giving approval and holding the coats of those killing him. Stephen is actually given a Spirit derived vision of Jesus and the Father, prior to his death quickly followed by his going to sleep. That can only be a Spirit induced miracle as he was being pelted by stones and I do not believe that anyone could sleep through the pain they would experience by stoning.
     On another occasion, Philip (bible does not say if he is the Apostle) was directed to travel on road between Jerusalem and Gaza, Acts 8. He is directed by the Spirit to an Ethiopian eunuch traveling on the road. It was not by accident that Philip was traveling on that road nor at a point where there would be water to baptise this man. Then at the end of the encounter another miraculous occurrence when Philip was carried away from there to Azotus.
      As you can see by now there are many accounts of action and not all by the Apostles who seem to be the focus of those naming this book. Yet, I believe that the original intent was not to focus the learning of the new christian upon the actions of the Apostles but to show them the actions of the Holy Spirit in order to instill within them the knowledge that the Holy Spirit did indeed come down and does indwell within Father's children. Holy Spirit not only indwells but is active in their lives and would guide them in their walk to be like Jesus the Messiah.
     Now the question for all today is, what will you do with the Holy Spirit? You can say that He is not still alive and active within us as many do today, and put God in a box that does not allow Him to be active and involved with us like He was with the Christians at the beginning. Or, is there an option for Holy Spirit to be truly alive and active in the world today? Could He still live and indwell within us and be active in our lives like He was for those in the beginning? And if He was still alive and active, how would we know? Perhaps it is not God who has changed but us? Perhaps Father still intends for His children to receive the indwelling Spirit for great things but we do not have the faith to support those works any longer. Perhaps we have allowed the great deceiver to convince us that there is no need for those signs and wonders as long as we have the Bible? Shouldn't the Word alone be enough? For what purpose would miraculous signs serve if you have the Bible? Maybe, just maybe the Spirit could help us reignite a world that truly cares about each other. And maybe the Israelites, who had the Torah should not have needed Prophets to help them remember and obey the Laws that were given to them, but they did and even signs and miracles were not enough. Why would we be any different today. I may have stepped over a bound with this but then I am not ashamed to say that I have been deceived for too many years in how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and I am just now realizing that He is capable of so much more for all of us. I pray that you will meditate upon this and come to your own realization on the Holy Spirit. I challenge you to show yourself where in the Bible that it states the Holy Spirit is no longer active in our lives. That we do not need Him because we have the Bible.
When you do find that please send it to me so that I can understand that as well...however, I cannot find it.
God bless you in your search for God's truth and plan in your life.