The same problem exists today. Not all approve of the Gospel’s “one Lord” and “one Spirit” as revealed in the New Testament. Acts and the apostolic letters conflict with human ideas of “one faith.” So, they work hard to separate today’s Christians from writers of the New Testament letters, especially Paul. Like the Samaritans who accepted only Moses’ five books, they favor the four Gospel accounts: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They want a simpler Jesus who has less of a voice, that is, less detailed teachings. They work hard to avoid apostolic teachings unsuited to their version of “one faith.” Are the four Gospel accounts important? Absolutely! They are foundational for faith and life (Luke 1:4; John 20:31). Through them, we come to know Jesus who reveals the Father to us (John 1:18). They deserve full emphasis. Does that mean the rest of the New Testament should be de-emphasized? Absolutely not! In the four Gospel accounts, Jesus Himself constantly prepared for the future.
- Jesus frequently did and said things for future understanding (John 12:16; 13:7, 36).
- Jesus appointed apostles as witnesses to carry His mission forward (Luke 6:13; 24:48; John 15:27; 20:21).
- Jesus promised to inspire them. “Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:19-20).
- Jesus commissioned the apostles to make future disciples and teach them to obey all His commandments as delivered by the apostles (Matthew 28:19).
- Jesus showed that much remained to be taught after His departure. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:12-13).
The rest of the New Testament, then, is Jesus continuing to reveal Himself and “all the truth.” Acts is addressed to the same “Theophilus” as Luke, and opens by saying, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are the beginning. His deeds and teachings continue as Jesus, enthroned with His Father, sends the Holy Spirit. “[Jesus] has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33).
Jesus continues to reveal Himself and His truth in the New Testament.
As the first martyr, Stephen saw and spoke to Jesus (Acts 7:56-60). Saul who became Paul also saw and spoke with Jesus (Acts 22:14; 23:11). The Spirit who directed mission work was “the Holy Spirit … the Spirit of Jesus” (Acts 16:6-7 cf. Acts 13:2, 4). Therefore, to remove Acts, is to remove Jesus as He continues, through His Spirit, what He began. In effect, it denies His activity as the risen Lord. To remove the writings of His apostles and prophets is to silence His voice, to cancel His promise to reveal “all truth” by His Spirit. To take words away from Christ’s self-revelation is to invite God’s curse (Revelation 1:1, 5, 11-20; 2:1; 22:16, 19).