Profitable for Doctrine: The Book of Acts

There have of late been an error circulating that the Book of Acts is not a credible source for doctrine because it is a historical narrative, and that only the Gospels and Epistles may be used to establish doctrine.

This is done in an attempt to negate the legitimacy of the Acts 2:38 salvation message thus proving the “Roman’s Road” doctrine of Romans 10:9-10 as the fundamental salvation plan.

There are fallacies that clearly identify this doctrine as erroneous.

The witness of the Word

The first and clearest factor that identifies this as error is the scripture itself.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJVR

(16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

1. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

In these verses Paul clearly tells Timothy that all scripture is profitable for doctrine. The book of Acts certainly qualifies as scripture.

The Structure of the New Testament

In identifying the book of Acts as historical narrative, thus not usable for doctrine an important fact is left out: that the Gospels are themselves historical narratives.

If the historical nature of Acts disqualifies it from being used for doctrine, then the same qualifier must also apply to the Gospels.

The book of Acts itself is merely a continuation of the Gospel according to Luke.

The Acts of the Apostles: Doctrine in Motion

The book of Acts differs from the Epistles in one Key way:

The Epistles are direct one-way communication from the writers of them to the church body. There is no other intended audience for the Epistles than the church.

The Epistles consist of:

• Reproof for sins committed/allowed/tolerated (I Corinthians) or for reliance on legalism for salvation (Galatians)
• Exhortation and instruction in righteousness (Romans, II Corinthians, Philippians and Ephesians)
• Instruction in ministry and the behavior of a minister (I & II Timothy, Titus)

Each epistle has a doctrinal theme but they share the one thing in common: They are 100% instructional specifically targeted at post conversion believers.

In Acts we see doctrine from a different perspective, that of interaction between the ministry, and the belief and obedience of the hearers. In Acts we read a three-fold witness repeatedly:

• Doctrine Preached
• Doctrine Believed
• Doctrine Implemented

Example Acts 2

 

Acts 2:14-36		The Gospel Preached
Acts 2:37	Acts 2:37 KJVR (37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,… Men and brethren, what shall we do?	Th Gospel Believed
Acts 2:38-39	…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost …	Doctrine Preached
Acts 2:41a	Then they that gladly received his word….	Doctrine Believed
Acts 2:41b	…. were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.	Doctrine Implemented

For another example we can use the events relating the the disciples at Ephesus as related in Acts 19:

Acts 19:4	(4)  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.	Doctrine Preached
Acts 19:5	When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.	Doctrine Believed and Implemented

The same cycle of Doctrine preached, believed and implemted reoccurs multiple times in the book of Acts. We could use also as exaples the Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, Philip in Samaria, the Conversion of Saul, the conversion of the household of Cornelius and more to show example of this cycle.

Conclusion

Seeing these examples and the witness of the scripture itself shows us that to relegate the book of the Acts of the Apostles to mere “Historical Narrative” and ignore the teachings contained therin are a grave error.

The basis of God’s plan for the salvation of souls and the doctrine associated with that plan are contained and shown in example in these pages. Ignoring this book is a perilous thing because in it we receive from the words and actions of the people Jesus called to be Apostles the instructions on ho to become a part of the Church and the witness of seeing these instructions carried out.

The Book of Acts is indeed profitable for doctrine.