Guy Muse asks the following about Acts:
Is Acts solely a historical description and non-binding on us today? Or is the record meant as a prescription–a kind of road map Jesus meant we are to follow?
Many take a middle-of-the-road approach. The parts we like we tend to classify as “prescriptive.” For example, we like Acts 1:8 where we Gentiles are included in Jesus’ Great Commission. As Evangelicals we believe we have the responsibility for taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
…To me, that is the problem of the middle-of-the-road Acts position. We tend to pick and choose which parts we like and will try to put into practice. Those practices that aren’t part of our tradition we classify as descriptive narrative–the same way we do with large portions of the Old Testament.
I’ve written about this several times before (here, for example). I do not believe Acts is an instruction book. A guide? Maybe. A picture? Yes. A pattern? With great hesitation…possibly.
I believe that there are principles in the entire Bible (including Acts) that followers of Jesus are to exemplify, and Acts shows how some early Jewish and Gentile believers lived out these principles in first century Greco-Roman culture.
Each subsequent culture must determine through prayer, Bible study, and reliance upon the Holy Spirit, what it will look like in their culture to follow these same principles. Interestingly, in our postmodern culture, it appears that the best approach is quite similar to that of the early believers in Acts.
There is quite a lively discussion going on about this topic over at Guy Muse’s blog. It is pretty much me (and maybe one other blogger) against the crowd. One guy (not Guy Muse) accused me of being unbiblical, and doing whatever was right in my own eyes.
*Sigh.*
Why is it that Christians – whether mega church pastors or house church proponents – all use the same “I’m right, and you are damned if you disagree with me” verses?
sounds like many in my state convention over the last decade plus which has resulted in a split convention and a multi billion lawsuit using the same I’m right and you are damned verses.
I love that use of money! There is no better cause in the Kingdom of God than church lawsuits.
I understand Acts to be descriptive. From Acts, principles for life and practice can be used supportively for the N.T. teaching mandates. You must allow a narrative is rightful boundaries, liberities and limits to maintain itself as a genre.
Doug,
Absolutely. As soon as we start making it prescriptive, we miss the reason it was written, and the message it contains. Great comment!