Christ, in the book of Acts

In the Book of Acts, Christ is portrayed as the risen and exalted Lord who continues His work through the Holy Spirit and the apostles. This portrayal emphasizes His divine authority, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and His central role in the early Christian community's mission.

1. The Resurrection and Ascension: Acts begins with a focus on the resurrected Jesus. The apostles witness His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9-11), which signifies His exaltation and the continuation of His ministry from a heavenly throne. This event establishes the foundation for the apostles' mission and the expectation of His return.

2. The Gift of the Holy Spirit: In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles during Pentecost, empowering them to speak in various languages and perform miracles. This outpouring of the Spirit is depicted as a direct result of Christ's exaltation (Acts 2:33). Peter explains that Jesus, now seated at the right hand of God, has received the promised Holy Spirit and has poured it out on His followers.

3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Throughout Acts, the apostles frequently reference Old Testament prophecies to validate Jesus as the Messiah. Peter’s sermons, especially in Acts 2 and Acts 3, draw heavily on prophecies from Joel, Psalms, and Isaiah to show that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were foretold by the Scriptures. This establishes Jesus' messianic identity and divine mission.

4. Centrality in Salvation: Jesus is consistently presented as the exclusive means of salvation. Peter boldly declares in Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." This underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus for eternal life and forgiveness of sins.

5. Miracles and Signs: The apostles perform numerous miracles in the name of Jesus, underscoring His ongoing power and presence. These signs, such as healing the lame man in Acts 3 and raising Tabitha from the dead in Acts 9, serve to authenticate the apostles' message and demonstrate the continuing power of Christ working through them.

6. Opposition and Persecution: The portrayal of Christ in Acts includes the reality of opposition and persecution. The apostles face threats, imprisonment, and even martyrdom for proclaiming Jesus as the risen Lord. Stephen's martyrdom in Acts 7 is a pivotal moment that mirrors Jesus' own suffering and death, reinforcing the cost of discipleship.

7. Inclusion of Gentiles: A significant theme in Acts is the extension of the gospel to the Gentiles. This is notably illustrated in Peter’s vision in Acts 10 and the conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile centurion. The inclusion of Gentiles demonstrates that Jesus’ salvific work transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, fulfilling God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed.

8. Paul's Missionary Journeys: The latter half of Acts focuses on Paul's missionary journeys, highlighting the spread of the gospel across the Roman Empire. Paul’s encounters, speeches, and letters consistently emphasize Jesus as the crucified and risen Lord, calling people to repentance and faith in Him.

9. The Kingdom of God: The book concludes with Paul in Rome, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and without hindrance (Acts 28:31). This underscores the ongoing and unstoppable nature of Christ’s mission through His followers.

In summary, the Book of Acts portrays Christ as the resurrected and exalted Savior who empowers His followers through the Holy Spirit, fulfills biblical prophecy, and is the central figure of salvation history. His mission continues through the apostles and the early church, overcoming opposition and expanding to include all peoples.