The Neglected Thread in Acts

The Book of Acts tells us so many important things regarding Christian history.  Mainly,  it tells us about the first days of the Church and how the Holy Spirit worked miracles through flawed men and women to seize the world back from darkness with the power of the gospel.  Every chapter pulses with the excitement, energy, and supernatural influence inherent in that process. But if you’re not careful, you’ll miss a very important thread in Luke’s narrative – which is that God transforms individual people into reflections and image bearers of Christ.  

You can see this crucial thread in critical places throughout the tapestry of Acts.  For instance, during Stephen’s martyrdom by religious zealots, he uses his final breaths to echo the sentiments of Jesus on the cross. He prays that God will not hold the sin of his murderers against them (Acts 7:60).  Stephen had been transformed by the renewing of his mind. He had become like his savior – forgiving and obedient to the point of death (Luke 23:34). 

When the apostles were being persecuted and beaten by murderous men intent on stamping out their peaceful ministry, the once fear-filled Peter stood up and calmly accepted the potential for violent treatment (Acts 5:29), while the other apostles rejoiced that they had an opportunity to suffer like their Lord and for the name of their Lord (Acts 5:40-41). 

Paul may have been the one with the greatest transformation. Coming from the ranks of the religious zealots themselves, he had persecuted Christians by actively involving himself in both their arrests, their mistreatment, and to some extent even in their deaths. But after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus he became increasingly like Christ – full of love and self-sacrificial mission and ministry. Consider the similarities between Paul and his savior. Jesus prophesied that he would suffer at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes – even to the point of death. Jesus accepted that fate (Mathew 16:21-23). Ananias prophesied that Paul would suffer before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel  (Acts 9:15-16). Later, Agabus prophesied that Paul would be bound and delivered to the Gentiles (Acts 21:10-11). Like his savior, Paul calmly accepted these fates (Acts 21:12-14). Jesus was brought before Jewish religious authorities, Jewish governing authorities, and Gentile authorities (Luke 22:66 through Luke 23). Paul was brought before Jewish religious authorities, Gentile authorities, and Jewish governing authorities (Acts 22:30 through Acts 25). Both men accepted their fates for the Glory of God and for the salvation of men.

The visible message of Acts is that Christ’s church powerfully marches onward empowered by his Holy Spirit. The underlying message of Acts is that Jesus transforms individuals so completely that they calmly accept suffering for the God who loves them, as well as for the sake of men who don't.  Are you imitating Christ in your life? How so?