Book of Acts

[abbershay]

It is a history book its His story, But not only is it a history book it is a prophetic book also so it goes both ways .

[Guest shiloh357]

no---and thats where the term OLD TESTAMENT is really SHODDY......

its not OLD---ITS ALIVE.

you think Genesis is a history lesson?

I AM GOD OF THE LIVING.

we are in the 6TH DAY.....

genesis, is not a history lesson----its alive.

Actually, the Bible is a book of history. It is the most accurate history book in the world. There is much to be learned about history from scripture. History is not "dead," so your Juxtapositinbo of "Old" with "Alive" is nonsensical. So what if some people call it the "Old Testament?" Why split hairs over something that silly???

[Guest shiloh357]

That's strange...I always have difficulty finding patient words for churches that suddenly decide the canon isn't good enough for them. I wonder...do they think we should throw out the Gospel According to Luke while we're at it??

If many churches realized Luke wasnt a "gentile" they may indeed to that very thing...

and not to mention James is a fictitious name---it is Jacob, which is still an english spoken word and name.....

James is not a fictitious name. It is the English equivalent of Jacob... but so what??? Jacob is not an English name, it is a Hebrew name.

Luke was most like a Gentile convert to Judaism prior to being a believer. Why would any such knowledge cause modern Churches to throw out the Gospel that bears his name?

[Ovedya]

no---and thats where the term OLD TESTAMENT is really SHODDY......

its not OLD---ITS ALIVE.

you think Genesis is a history lesson?

I AM GOD OF THE LIVING.

we are in the 6TH DAY.....

genesis, is not a history lesson----its alive.

You are over-spiritualizing here, bro. The Bible is certainly alive - there is no doubt about that. It is a book of life! However, it is not so alive that it washes away all the literary and historical significance. There are four parts to the books of the Old Testament: The books of Moses, which are the histories; the books of the Law, which contain the Laws and ordinances; there are the books of the prophets; and there are the books of wisdom. There are also the poetic works which the Jews did not consider inspired.

[Ovedya]

James is a fictitious name---it is Jacob

...And "Jesus" is actually "Joshua."

So then it would be proper for all believers to stop calling Him "Jesus" and to start referring to Him as "Joshua," right?

[nebula]

If many churches realized Luke wasnt a "gentile" they may indeed to that very thing...

Where did you get that Luke was not a gentile believer?

and not to mention James is a fictitious name---it is Jacob, which is still an english spoken word and name.....

"Mark" is an English word and name, too. Does that make it fictitious?

nothing---ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, in the bible is to be read or taught as 'HISTORY'...

its a LIVING WORD.

I'm not following you here.

Are you saying that the story of Abraham didn't happen?

That the 10 plagues of Egypt and the Exodus didn't happen?

That King David didn't exist?

I mean, to say these events are not history is saying they didn't happen - correct?

LET ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW------

gentiles were DOGS.

Ummm . . . is this your opinion of us?

[EricH]

This is a branch off of another thread but..

Many "churches" don't believe in or teach the book of Acts?????

I would want to unpack what you mean by this?

[nebula]

Her question came off of this thread .

[EricH]

My take is that regarding books like Acts which are largely historic in nature, caution must be exercised in teaching what the Bible reports as an occurence as normative or expected behavior for all followers of Christ. In other words, context should indicate that this is a behavior or occurence that God expects us to repeat, or be normative.

[DaniJ87]

I believe that the book of Acts IS inspired, and is there for a reason. My pastor has spent an entire year going over it. However, I also believe that ANY book of the Bible can be emphasized too much- all are just as important, and have an equal amount of inspiration. Thus, I think that a lot of the controversy over Acts comes from the really wild pentacostals, who LIVE in the "Day of Pentacost" daily. (no offense intended- but there are real fanatics in every denomination)

Acts IS a book of history. Acts records what the apostles and the early church DID, at the same time as Paul and the other writers of the epistles, were recording their books. Because the Apostles were led by God to do certain things, we CAN learn from them- we can find good doctrines. Also, many sermons are recorded in Acts- and these are obviously full of doctrine. It is ridiculous to throw out the fact that the Bible DOES have historical references... after all, every year, more archaeological evidence is uncovered that supports the Bible.

I believe that we still have certain individuals who have the gifts in Acts- however, they were necessary in Paul's day more than they are today, because Paul did not have the New Testament... (he was still writing it!) I also believe that the majority of Christians can NOT speak in tongues, or see visions, or prophesy; but as Paul said, these are the greater gifts- to be desired, but not expected. I don't think it is biblical for there to be whole churches full of speaking in tongues, and prophesying- after all, "if the whole body were an ear, where would the smelling be?" A church should be full of diverse gifts- not just one gift. I believe that if ANYWHERE in this world has a need for the gifts of pentacost today, it is not in the US, where we have forsaken God as a society, and most Christians live in lukewarm indifference, (not talking about anyone here...) but in the countries where Christians are persecuted and tortured daily- like China, and the islamic countries, and the other communist countries. Where there is the most darkness, there will you find the most Light.

When I was on a missions trip to NYC, we were out sharing the Gospel on a street corner, (handing out tracts, praying with and talking to those who were interested, etc) when this pentacostal lady, (an old, and VERY talkative lady) came up, and tried to tell me that we were wrong when we were celebrating with a woman who recieved Christ as her savior, because "you aren't a Christian until you get the Holy Ghost" and she went on, and on, and on... We tried, but could not convince her, that the Holy spirit indwelling you is a result, not the cause, of Salvation. (You ask Jesus to come into your heart... THEN it happens)

I hope some of this helps.

~Danette