Apostles the Book of Acts:

¶ … Apostles

The Book of Acts: Ministries of Observable Power

The Book of Acts is appropriately named because it affirms God's active presence in the world, even after the ministry of Christ in human form has been fulfilled in the gospel narratives of Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke. Through its highly plot-driven narrative, and tales of the ministering of Christ's message to gentiles and Jews, the book stresses that God's presence is physically felt and manifest upon the earth, and individuals who work in God's name must not simply believe, internally themselves, and place credence in their own salvation and faith, but extend the activity of their ministry into observable actions and active preaching, as did Christ.

The Book of Acts is uniquely appropriate in inspiring individuals to act in ministerial ways on earth today, because it chronicles the actions of Christ's ministry on the part of his various apostles, even in a state of disarray after their leader is no longer in their physical presence. The book begins with a time of sorrow and regrouping, as Peter selects a replacement for Judas, to carry on Christ's mission. Thus from the beginning the book affirms the needs of any ministry to actively carry on in mission and vision in the time of setback and sorrow. It is not enough to believe, one must fulfill Christ's mission as he saw it, even if this means appointing another one of the twelve.