WITNESS | A Series in Acts

The book of Acts, written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, provides an orderly historical account of how a small religious movement spread rapidly in a hostile culture by the power of God’s Spirit. Though not one of the Twelve, Luke carefully investigated eyewitness testimony to construct a reliable narrative, first about Jesus’ life (The Gospel of Luke) and then about the birth and growth of the Christian movement (Acts). Addressed to Theophilus, likely a spiritually curious Roman official who commissioned Luke’s writings, Acts responds to a time when Christianity was “everywhere spoken against” (28:22). It therefore serves as an apologetic to show that Christianity is harmless (because some Romans had embraced it themselves), innocent (because Roman judges could find no basis for prosecution), and lawful (because it was the true fulfillment of Judaism, a state sanctioned religion at the time).

Along with its apologetic focus, Acts is also an evangelistic work focusing on the availability of salvation to all people through Christ. In many ways, Theophilus stands as a representative of our own cultural moment: skeptical, yet curious. Surrounded by competing voices, yet compelled to reckon with “the Way.”

As we launch into our five year vision, this series aims (1) to equip and inspire our people to live as witnesses in their everyday life and (2) to present Jesus to the spiritual curious as the answer to their deepest longings. In other words, we aim to both equip the saved and evangelize the lost throughout the series.