Thematic Analysis Essay 1
Randall Davis
Liberty University Online
BIBL 364: Acts
Dr. R. Peter Mason
June 7, 2021
In Acts 1:8 (KJV), the Bible says “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is
come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” In this text, the Apostles are being informed
by Jesus of the authority they will have upon the receiving of the Holy Ghost. This powerful
statement made by Jesus is coming to fruition of the text in Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) where
Jesus instructs his disciples to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.”
There are multiple themes on display within this text. The first is that because of
the indwelling of the Holy Ghost within the disciples, the ministry that they possess will not only
be local, but it will be national, and even international. After bringing together his teachers, Jesus
informs them that their calling to minister is larger than what they presently can visualize.
Furthermore, in order to accomplish this great commission, and spread the Gospel, the ministers
must have the Holy Ghost.
Another theme that is present within the text is God’s providence. Holman Illustrated
Bible Dictionary informs the reader the providence is “God’s benevolent and wise
superintendence of His creation.” The sovereignty of God is on display throughout Acts.
Regardless of any obstacles that are faced, or any amount of opposition, the Will of God presses
through and powers on, and is accomplished. This is displayed at the first part of Acts, when
Jesus is taken up into the heavens.
Another theme that is present is the first instance of the Holy Ghost being present among
the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Because of this, the disciples were, through the Holy
Ghost, perform the same miracles, signs, and wonders that Jesus did. This was Jesus’ plan all
along for the disciples then and in present day. Jesus confirms this in John 14:26 (KJV), when he
says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you.”
The restoration of Israel is the next theme found in these texts. In Acts 1:6-7, Jesus gives
a response to the Apostles thought process (which was that new Israel would be a physical
location) regarding the restoration of Israel. The Bible says in Acts 1:6-7, “When they therefore
were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the
kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in his own power.” When one continues reading in the book of Acts,
past chapter 1 and into the 7th chapter, they will find that in the restored Israel, the traditions of
Moses are being replaced with a man of God, who will preach the Gospel.
Another theme that is present is regarding the Kingdom of God that does not discriminate
against anyone, regardless of a person’s race, life before Christ, or class. In Acts chapter 3, we
are told a story of Peter and John healing a man who was lame. This certain man was begging for
money, obviously making him poor. In spite of the man’s current situation, Peter said to him
“Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth rise up and walk.” This tells a reader that receiving Christ is eternal wealth for all,
while money is only momentary and for a few. The lame man then begins walk and to praise
God, showing us that anyone, regardless of class, can and should praise God.
The next theme displayed is that of prayer. In the first chapter of Acts, a reader sees this
displayed while they were in the Upper Room. It does not stop in chapter 1 yet reaches
throughout the first 7 chapters in Acts. Any time a healing, sign or wonder happened; it was
almost always accompanied by prayer. In “Key Themes of Acts” by Don Fowler, he states,
“prayer is the means by the Will of God is unfolded.” One instance in which prayer was used and
a miracle happened was in Acts 7:59, which the stoning of Stephen was taking place. He began
to pray, and God removed him from the situation, and took him into eternity.
In Mark 12:13-16, a reader will find examples of the final two themes of Acts chapters 1-
7. In this text, people began to question Jesus about governmental control, specifically taxation.
Jesus responded by saying, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things
that are God's.” This is an example of the theme of a Christians relationship with the world, and
their suffering. Only laws that are in direct contradiction to God’s Word should be broken. Upon
the arresting of John and Peter while they were preaching, suffering was shown, and even more
so when Stephen was stoned.
The main theme that is presented in Peter’s messages is that one must obey the Word of
God and that they must repent of their sins. When a listener would begin to question his
teachings or state their unbelief, Peter would combat the statements by informing them that their
hearts were bound to tradition, not God. The only way to truly know God is to repent of your
sins, die out to the old man, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. One must reject any tradition
or thought that is contrary to those of Jesus.
Bibliography
Brand, et al.. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN, TN: Holman Reference, 2003.
Fowler, Don. Key Themes of Acts, Liberty University, VA (2014). https://learn.liberty.edu/ web
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