Leaving out the supernatural makes the Bible just another book

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.

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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.

Keeping Records?

My mom left me with a bundle of five-year diaries. I’m not sure if I will read them, but I understand her desire to write down the events of her life. My personal history may be of little interest to anyone besides me, but it feels important to make notes of it.

Luke felt the same, not about his own life but the life of Christ and the life of the church. He told the stories of what Jesus did and said, then in another letter to the same recipient he continued his narrative about the way Jesus lived and moved in His people during the first few decades of the church.

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1–4)

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1–3)

Luke stresses the importance of an orderly account. I’m thinking of mom’s rambling style. If I had to put her story into a chronological sequence, I would find it difficult. She might be telling of something that happened the day before, but it could be an event from ten years prior. This would confuse me, never mind other readers.

Luke obviously wanted to tell his reader how the work of Christ continued in His people. He also wanted them to know that the promised Holy Spirit came and how that happened. And he wanted it clear, orderly, just as it happened.

Then he (Jesus) opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:45–49)

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4–5)

I know that my mom could not see into the future like Jesus did. I don’t know if she compared her early life with her life as she grew older. I do know she read her Bible faithfully, but I don’t know if she connected the dots from the Old Testament promises to their fulfillment in the NT. However, Luke and the other gospel writers did. All of them wanted readers to know that Jesus Christ keeps His Word and that God has our futures included in His plans.

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Lord Jesus, thank You for keeping Your people in the loop regarding the early church. You gave us men like Luke to write it down — probably because Paul was far too busy working with and writing about current issues! From beginning to the end of the book I can see Your grace and the way people changed and followed Jesus. From the many examples, I can see areas where I need to change and where I can be a more dedicated and faithful servant. Thank You for putting it into Luke’s heart to write these letters, and into the hearts of others to do the same.