Acts 2:1-21
I’m always interested in the narrative structure of the biblical books, and Luke never disappoints. The Magnificat preceding Jesus’ birth, the opening of his public ministry by reading Isaiah to his home town, and having Jesus ascend into space to cap off his ministry are all interesting things to explore. A lot of what he does is similar to how comic books tell stories, as I talked about in a sermon once. There was limited space, so everything included had to be important, like Spider-Man letting the guy who later killed his Uncle Ben escape. Each detail is significant.

Luke, like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, places a lot of emphasis on the origin story. This reading from Acts is the origin story of the church and the advent of the Holy Spirit. In some ways, however, it’s the origin story of the Trinity, as well. Everything in this passage is about not only what the church should be, but explaining that the church should be this way because God is this way.

My process jones are showing, but it seems here that Luke bases not just the work of the church but the very nature of God in relationship. I believe in an eminent trinity, even though I acknowledge the folly of trying to define God in human terms. I pray and bless in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. I do this because these terms are essentially relational in ways more inclusive phrases like Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer aren’t. To me, Trinity is like an element–it cannot be broken down further and retain its same nature and characteristics. (I know some of this might be more applicable to Trinity Sunday next week, but I’m going to be on vacation then and want to include this in my thinking for this week.)

God, in God’s most basic form, is still in relation with Godself. God without relationship is not God at all. Even without the universe, without life, without anything external to God, God exists in relationship. And this, to Luke, is the basis for the church–to share this relationship. Each part of this passage depicts the disciples moving further in creating relationship with those around them.

They begin hidden away from the world, and with the spirit’s help they move out into it. Then, multitudes of Jews around them from all over the world, who didn’t expect to hear preaching in their native languages, can hear them through the power of the Spirit. From hiding to Hebrew to the whole world in just a few steps. In response to mockery, Peter recites scripture. This ties in to another important theme for Luke, that this is nothing new. Jesus is continuing the work of God begun with creation. However, it is a passage that opens more and more people up to relationship with God, even (sorry, just remember the original context) slaves and women.

This chapter ends with one of my favorite challenges to the church, “And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” This is the forming of relationship. Those who are being saved are growing in relationship with God through the work of the church. I am wary of church growth theory and what not, but it does seem to me that if churches aren’t adding to their numbers those who are being saved (even if it’s those who have sat in its pews for decades), then it is not properly bringing people into relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is a long chapter, to long to be read in its entirety, and the ending was on the lectionary a few weeks ago. However, it would be helpful to place the passage that is read in the context of its placement in Acts. From Creation to creation, the work of the Church is to form relationship, not just because of what the church is, but because of who gave us life and offers us grace.