Joe-Walker

							Joe Walker THST 305-Sec.02 Exercise #2

Luke and Acts: Similarities in Characterizations
The Four Gospels of the New Testament provide narrative frameworks testifying to the vocation of a man called Jesus, whom is believed to be the Christ, the Son of God. All of the Gospels vary somewhat in their portrayals and perspectives of Jesus. The Gospel according to Luke differs from the other three New Testament Gospels in that it is the only such book that has a sequel, The Acts of the Apostles. This follow-up provides a vivid account of the early church proposed to supplement or resume the narrative of Jesus presented in the Gospel. Given that the evangelist accountable for this Gospel is also the author of the book of Acts, there exists numerous parallels between the portrayal of Jesus in Luke and the characterization of the Apostles as disciples of Christ in Acts. The Apostles have become other Christ’s, parts of the Mystical Body, as illustrated in the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus in Luke and the Apostles in Acts are similar in the way they teach, minister, heal, and influence others. In this way, the Apostles continue the ministry of Jesus. (A.) Luke’s Gospel remains the only Gospel in which Jesus is called Savior. Luke claims that Jesus’ mission is to seek out and save the lost. He directly states that Jesus is the Son of God, whom is filled with the Holy Spirit, an authoritative teacher who was praised by many. Luke asserts, “all spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth” (Lk 4:22). Although, Luke also declares that Jesus was scorned by many for drawing parallels to the prophets, “When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff” (Lk 4:28-29). Furthermore, Luke speaks of the descending of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus and his constant devotion to prayer. In correspondence to his claims about Jesus, Luke declares in Acts; the Apostles were also filled with the Holy Spirit, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability.” He also claims that the Apostles were constantly devoting themselves to prayer in the way that Jesus had taught them (Lk1:14). The Apostles were also scorned even as was Jesus. They were arrested and scorned and some people were annoyed with their teaching relating to Jesus, as Luke states “…the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day” (Lk 4:1-3). Luke also claims that the Apostles spread the good news of Jesus through their actions and teaching. They were also followers that were committed to service, willing to suffer and fortuitous in the face of persecution. These qualities directly parallel those attributed to Jesus in the Gospel. (B.) Throughout the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God with authority. He states, “…For in fact the Kingdom of God is among you” (Lk 17: 21). He continually quotes the scriptures and preaches about the coming of the Son of Man on the last day. In the same way, the Apostles in Acts quote the scriptures with authority and preach using apocalyptic discourse. For example, Peter quotes the Prophet

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Joel and the Prophet David when he addresses a crowd in Acts 2:14-28 and speaks of the signs of the last day, or the coming of the Son of Man when he states, “….The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.” Both Jesus and the Apostles solemnly testify to the coming of the Kingdom. (C.) Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, continually administers to the sick, the poor, and the dying. He also preaches, heals, and forgives sinners. One such example of a miraculous deed is illustrated in Luke 18:35, where Jesus restores sight to a blind man at Jericho. He repeatedly speaks in parables conveying themes of repentance, forgiveness and trust in God, faith, and the coming of the Kingdom. Jesus shares meals with others constantly in a semblance of breaking bread, which was the ultimate Last Supper. The Apostles are portrayed as Spirit-filled mediators, who are almost identical replicas of Jesus. The apostles perform miracles in Jesus’ name, including healing the sick and raising the dead. When Peter and John enter the temple in Acts 3:1-11, they meet a beggar seeking alms and Peter tells him, “Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, that I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.” The apostles are committed to service and they also broke bread in the fellowship of the Eucharist (LK 2:46). (D.) In several instances in the Gospel, Jesus performs many miracles and casts out demons where-upon people remark, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!”(Lk 4:36-37) and many rumors spread about him throughout his homeland. In a similar way, as the Apostles travel their missions in Acts, they do as Jesus instructed them and they are also chastised for working miracles and wonders, such as casting out demons. This is explicitly illustrated in Acts 16:20 where the Apostles cast a spirit out of a girl and those who exploit her cry to the magistrates, “These men are making a great disturbance in our city…” Another example depicting what people say in reaction to Jesus, is the event where He tells them, when this scripture passage is heard it is fulfilled in Luke 4:22. In amazement at his words they say, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” This somehow bewilderingly questions his Divine authority. The people also questioned the authority by which the Apostles spoke in tongues by marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these that are speaking Galileans? And how have we heard each his own language in which he was born?… What does this mean?…They are full of new wine.” (Acts 2:7-13) (E.) The words and deeds of Jesus triggered many different reactions from others. Many “spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth” (Lk 4:22). Some individuals were bewildered by his authoritative teaching as exemplified in Luke 5:32 where it is stated, “They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority.” Others were full of envy and rage as a result of his teaching and actions. He was arrested, beaten, and scorned for bearing witness to the Truth. In Luke 22:54 it states, “Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house.” In a similar way, the Apostles in Acts amazed those to whom they served and preached. In Acts 2:43 Luke states, “Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.” Yet, enraged, were the Sadducees and the Priests of the temple because the Apostles were

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proclaiming in the case of Jesus, the Resurrection of the dead. The Apostles were also seized upon and arrested, “So they arrested them and put them in custody…” (Lk 4:3). Similar to Ananias when the Lord spoke to him in a vision, the most appropriate thought, reaction, and words are “Here I am Lord.” There were many actions and words given by Jesus and they were received with varied responses. These responses reflected from anger to wonder. The Apostles reflected this Christ-like manner as in a mirror. I agree Luke seems to stress a “theology of glory”. Mark Alan Powell states this theology is, “the destiny of the Church in terms of victory and success”. Followers of Jesus do suffer but in divine joy.