When I was writing for magazines, I had several
opportunities to hear lectures on how to do an interview. One point stands out
— be accurate when recording quotes. Several years ago there was a dramatic
incident near the farm where my parents lived. A man died in a fire. A radio
station called my mother and asked several questions, then put her answers on
the evening news. However, they took phrases from each statement and mixed them
up making her comments totally different than what she actually said. She was
furious. This is not the way to do an interview!
My devotions are now from Acts, the second book Luke wrote
about Christian history. For this book, he had a great deal of firsthand
experience. He also did personal interviews. Paul was able to tell him of his
Gentile ministry. The leaders at Jerusalem gave him information concerning the
Jerusalem church. Philip in Caesarea shared with him stories about his ministry.
These interviews had to be accurate, not painting a false picture.
As I scan the book of Acts, I spot places where a writer
might be tempted to show some bias or tone down the action so readers will
believe it. The first is Jesus’ ascension.
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6–11)
In a day when sci-fi movie makers can produce outlandish
scenes, this one should not be too difficult to believe, but our scientific
knowledge of outer space creates all sorts of questions. Jesus was in a human
body. Human bodies rarely levitate and if they did, rising to the clouds and
out of sight seems ridiculous. For instance, what happened when He ran out of
air? Had I been Luke, would I be tempted to leave out this scenario to make my
story more credible?
In the next chapter of Acts, Luke describes the coming of
the Holy Spirit. This story is also difficult for an inquiring mind to accept .
. .
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1–4)
I can imagine a sound filling a house. Movie makers could
create the illusion of fire over the heads of each one there. I can also
imagine them speaking in strange languages, yet when this filling of the Holy
Spirit and speaking in tongues is widely examined, it creates many questions.
In this case, those visiting Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost heard
them speaking in their own language, yet those speaking did not know those
languages. It seems this just happened; they didn’t plan or expect it. Later in
the New Testament, Jesus’ followers were told not to speak in tongues unless
someone could interpret, as if they could turn it on or off. They were warned
not to babble as some of the pagans did when they worshiped their idols.
Had I been Luke, I would either clarify these issues about
speaking in tongues, or omit them due to the controversy they created, both
then and now. Yet a good interview tells the story as it was told, not what the
interviewer wants to write, such as leaving out parts or mixing up the quote.
Another important factor was at work when Luke wrote his
Gospel and the book of Acts — the Holy Spirit was involved. That means whatever
Luke or any other person wrote was what God wanted them to say.
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21)All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16)
The original texts are no longer available. Copies are
made from copies. Words and letters were counted to keep them accurate. Still, some
areas are difficult to translate, interpret, or understand. However, if the
Bible is allowed to say what it says, most major translations are reliable, not
because Luke or anyone else was perfect, but because God is able to preserve
His Word for all generations.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, I’m thankful that Your Word was recorded in all its
characteristics; the easy parts and the parts that are challenging. I can
believe in the life, death, resurrection and ascension, not because Luke knew
how to write it, but because Your Spirit was thoroughly involved. Nothing is too
hard for God including the ascension, or gifting people to speak in tongues, or
the work of the Holy Spirit, or the writing and preservation of what You wanted
to say to us.
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