The Gospel in Acts…sticking to “the STORY”
Central to the Acts of the Apostles was the preaching of the gospel. The faithful and accurate presentation of the gospel requires divine assistance. “Much grace” (4:33) is needed to stick to the message and keep the main thing the main thing. Today, it has become fashionable to tweak the message in an apparent attempt to make it more relevant, disregarding the fact that, properly presented, the gospel is “the power of God for everyone who believes” (Ro. 1:16). Indeed, the gospel “message” remains “foolishness” to those whose hearts are not prepared by the Holy Spirit to receive it (1Co. 1:18). It is folly to attempt to make a supernatural message natural and expect the “super” to remain. Any old gospel won’t do as there are many religious messages without power (2Ti. 3:5). Understanding the indispensable connection between preaching and power is enhanced by careful examination of the occasions in Acts when the gospel is presented. One will soon discover certain essential elements are present (or properly assumed to be) whenever the gospel in preached.
Although the gospel certainly contains a number of subordinate descriptives, e.g. “the gospel of: ‘the kingdom’; ‘grace’; ‘salvation’; and ‘peace’”; the principle descriptive is, “Jesus.” Jesus is the object of the gospel in roughly 50% of its mention in the New Testament. The first verse of the earliest gospel narrative captures this most important component of the gospel…
MAR 1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
ACT 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and …
Where’s The Love?
Following is a table containing the twenty-two occasions in the Book of Acts when the gospel is presented. I have asked well over 100 people during the last few years if they could tell me which book in the New Testament was void of any mention of the word “love”. I have yet to encounter anyone who knew the answer. Of course, the answer is the Acts of the Apostles. When I first discovered this, I was intrigued by the absence of any mention of love in this book. Why was this the case? Isn’t God’s love for us, as demonstrated by his sending Jesus to die for our sins, the gospel? For God so loved the world (us)… The Holy Spirit began to release me from the prison of my own church “culture” and experiences and to see something vitally important. Of course God loves me (us). Of course God is love. Love is his motivation for everything he does for us, whether we perceive such things as pleasant or unpleasant. Whether we can comprehend it or not, God loves us. A revelation of the love of God was not new to the Jews who crucified Jesus. If there was one thing all Jews knew, it was that God loved them. The Old Testament was and continues to be a testament not only of Jesus Christ, but of the love of God for his chosen people.
When the apostles began their faithful adventure of preaching the gospel in the Book of Acts, foremost in their minds was not the love of God but the identity of Jesus Christ. They knew this was the issue. Later, in the epistles, there is much discussion about love as the apostles addressed so many issues from the context of God’s love for us and our love for him and one another. However, in Acts, the priority was the who, what, and what now of Jesus Christ.
Placing a disproportionate emphasis on God’s love for us, as Jonathan Edwards warned, can lead us to the mistaken conclusion that we are the center of God’s universe and that his highest value is that we know of and receive his love for us. On the contrary, as the Book of Acts so aptly points out, his highest value is that all mankind acknowledge him.
The table that follows is a testimony of the faithfulness of the apostles as they kept the main thing the main thing.
| The Gospel Proclaimed | The Components | Notes |
| ACT 1:22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” |
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Setting: Jesus gives his final instructions to his disciples, culminating with the charge that they will be his “witnesses.”
In choosing the 12th apostle to replace Judas, the context of the selection was to be a witness of the resurrection. The revelation and ramifications of God’s power over death could be said to be the most significant revelation in history. This revelation not only is one of the two key elements of our salvation, but is equally vital to our experiencing this salvation “life” in the present (See Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1:19-20). The beginning of the discipleship process we are commissioned to pursue in Mat. 28:19-20 must be founded upon the witness of the identity of Jesus Christ as the resurrected Lord (See Act 1:8) |
| ACT 2:22 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
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Setting: Peter preaches the first sermon at the first church service as he uses the keys to the kingdom and presents a clear declaration of the gospel to the Jews assembled at Jerusalem from all over the world.
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| 3:15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” |
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Setting: At Solomon’s colonnade, the miracle of the crippled beggar. Peter and John address those gathered and again stick to the supernatural story of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection. Notice this presentation was to people who had just witnessed an astounding miracle. The mood was most likely celebratory and somewhat accepting of the gospel message. The apostles were really rolling now! |
| 4:2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. |
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Setting: Following the miraculous healing of the crippled beggar and the clear presentation of the gospel the birth pangs of persecution begin as Peter and John are arrested. Now is the pressure to modify the message…exercise some discretion and sober judgment. Peter and John must have known what was at stake and had every incentive to present a more palatable gospel. The Sanhedrin was “greatly disturbed” and commanded them not to speak of this Jesus anymore. |
| 5:30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead – whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. |
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Setting: The gospel begins to spread to Judea and the religious leaders become more agitated at the apostles as more and more people become followers of the Way. Persecution takes an uptick as the apostles are arrested by the Sanhedrin. Devotion to the true gospel continues to be confirmed by divine power, and, after miraculously being released from jail, the apostles continue their teaching about Jesus. Now even more furious, the religious leaders continue their (not idle) threats and end up flogging the apostles. The apostles, however, did not flinch but kept on preaching the gospel in the temple courts and houses. |
| ACT 7:52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him -
ACT 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ACT 7:59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. |
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Setting: The “highest mission” (JFB[1]) of the prophets of Israel was to announce the coming of the Righteous One (Messiah). To charge these Grecian Jews with his murder was beyond the most unimaginable crime. Stephen, with the peaceful composure of an angel, told the truth and demonstrated a key element of the gospel as he pleaded for God to forgive his persecutors. Here, Stephen not only preached the gospel but lived it. |
| ACT 8:32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. |
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Setting: The gospel is preached here by Phillip as he had in Samaria. Phillip explained to the Ethiopian the “good news” that Jesus was the one Isaiah was speaking of. The identity of Jesus continues as the primary emphasis of the early church’s message of salvation through Christ (See Rom. 10:9-10). |
| ACT 9:20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
ACT 9:22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. |
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Setting: Saul begins to preach the gospel emphasizing the revelation of Jesus as the “Son of God” and “Christ.” Again, the identity of Jesus is the core issue of this gospel. Saul and the apostles knew that this was the new “pivotal passage” (Dt. 6:4) of God’s people. |
| ACT 10:36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
10:40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” |
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Setting: Here Peter, while in the midst of God-fearing Gentiles, delivers the gospel (“message”) with the vital element of Jesus as the “Christ” and “Lord of all.” He follows with a testimony of the resurrection; further affirmation of his messianic identity; and an invitation to believe and receive forgiveness of sins. |
| 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” |
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Setting: Here Peter rehearses his preaching of the gospel to the household of Cornelius. The key component of “repentance” is emphasized in his preaching with the added mention of “life.” |
| 13:24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 34 The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. |
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Setting: Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch begin to preach the gospel to Jews at the synagogue.
All the elements of the gospel are contained in this account. This is the apostle’s proclamation. It is after these meetings that Paul turns his attention almost exclusively to the Gentiles. |
| ACT 16:30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. |
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Setting: Paul and Silas preach the gospel to the Philippian jailer. The presumption here is that the jailer must have had heard a full explanation of what he was “believing.” |
| ACT 17:2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said. |
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Setting: Of course, Paul could have spent days teaching about any number of things from the Scriptures. However, here, as throughout Acts, he focuses like a laser on the key elements of the gospel. He certainly knew what the consequences could be, but nonetheless stuck to the message that he was commissioned to preach. |
| 17:18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” |
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Setting: The Greek philosophers in Athens ponder what this “seed-picker (hayseed)” is saying. Some believe, some reject. Paul does not modify the message to fit the audience. |
| ACT 18:5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. |
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Setting: Paul preaches to the Jews at Corinth with the core of his testimony being the identity of Jesus as the Christ. |
| ACT 18:25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.
ACT 18:28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. |
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Setting: Here Apollos “vigorously” refutes the Jews in “public debate.” What was the debate about? Of course, it was about who Jesus was! Everything boils down to this question. If Jesus is who we claim, then… |
| 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. |
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Setting: Here Paul summarizes his entire ministry and message. The sobriety of this statement is seen in v. 26 his innocence of the blood of all men due to his faithfulness to the pure gospel. |
| ACT 22:14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ |
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Setting: Paul has arrived at Jerusalem and begun to preach the gospel to the Jews. He declares that he has seen the Messiah and received forgiveness of sins upon acknowledgment of Jesus as the Christ. |
| 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead.” |
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Setting: The topic here can be assumed to be Jesus and the mention of resurrection surely refers to him (see 24:15 below). |
| 24:15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
ACT 24:25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” |
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Setting: Paul before the Governor Felix. Same as noted above. The “judgment” referred to by Luke is certainly in the context of the salvation offered through belief in Christ. |
| ACT 26:8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. ACT 26:23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” |
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Setting: Paul before Festus and King Agrippa. |
| ACT 28:23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. |
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Setting: Paul preaches the gospel in Rome. The central issue, as always is Jesus as Messiah! |
[1](from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
