Daily Devotion
Luke's Aim in Writing Acts
Created: Wednesday, 25 July 2018 18:25
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Scripture:
When a man writes a book, he does so for a reason - and maybe more than one. Let us consider why Luke wrote Acts. (1st) One of his reasons was to commend Christianity to the Roman government.
Again and again, he goes out of his way to show how courteous Roman magistrates were to Paul. Sergius Paulus, the governor of Cyprus, becomes a Christian. In Acts 18:12, Gallio is absolutely impartial in Corinth. In 16:35, the Magistrates at Philippi discover their mistake and apologize publicly to Paul. In 19:31, the Asiarchs in Ephesus are shown to be concerned that no harm should come to Paul. Luke was pointing out that in the years before he wrote, Roman officials had often been well-disposed and always just to Christianity.
Luke takes pains to show that the Christians were good and loyal citizens and had always been regarded as such. In Acts 18:14, Gallio declares that there is no question of wickedness. In 19:37, the secretary of Ephesus gives the Christians a good testimonial. In 23:29, Claudius Lysias is careful to say that he has nothing against Paul. In 25:25, Festus declares that Paul has done nothing worthy of death, and in the same chapter Festus and Agrippa agreed that Paul might well have been released had he not appealed to Caesar.
Luke was writing in the days when Christians were disliked and persecuted. He told his story in such a way as to show that the Roman magistrates had always been perfectly fair to Christianity and that they had never regarded the Christians as evil men. In fact, the very interesting suggestion has been made that Acts is nothing other than a 'brief' prepared for Paul's defense when he stood his trial before the Roman Emperor.
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Life Application:
Can you imagine spending your life looking for proof of positive Christian behavior? It would be enough to prove your case to a judge who was a non-believer. Consider sharing your experience as a Christian with a non-believer and note the response you receive.
Praise/Prayer:
Dear Father, what a wonderful testimony Luke has preserved for every future generation to read. You have raised up men and women who walked with You in a time when being a Christian may not have been very safe. When I read the stories of those who followed Jesus even after His death and resurrection, knowing it could cost them their lives, I am encouraged to do the same. Thank You for the privilege. Amen!
