In Acts 1:8, it says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Luke’s description of Paul’s experiences throughout the book of Acts show people and disciples traveling all over to share the Gospel with others. It also highlights stories being told that make the point that without Jesus, the mission to spread the “good news” is doomed. In Chapter 13, Luke talks about the magician, Elymas opposing the Word of God being shared, therefore he was made blind until he was healed and all of the proconsul saw and immediately believed in Jesus Christ. There are many stories like that one throughout the book of Acts that are shown how people reject the Gospel, then suffer the consequences. But it goes back to 1:8 about witnessing everywhere and receiving power with the Holy Sprit.

One of the main themes in the gospel of Luke is “innocence”. In Luke 23;4, before Jesus is put on a cross, Pilate says to the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.”  Again in verses 14, 22 and 47 is the theme of “innocence” brought up in the description of Jesus. In Luke’s story of Paul (in the book of Acts) it shows the poor, meek Christians being plotted against by him. Paul has evil thoughts and horrible intentions with the disciples of Jesus. Luke chooses to put an emphasis on that theme throughout the story of Paul because it’s an easy assumption to make. In Acts 9:5, the Lord blinds Paul with a bright light declaring, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” With that statement, Jesus is telling Paul that he is suffering because his people are suffering. It almost looks on Christians as victims. I think the overall theme isn’t just in Luke and Acts, but it reaches the entirety of the New Testament at least. The whole idea of selfless & perfect God (innocent) sending his own baby (innocent) son, to be born of a virgin (again, innocent), to save a dirty and sinful world. The theme is much larger than just two books, and is very apparent when you dig deep through the Bible.