An Introduction: Understanding Acts Through John 15

All of John 14-17 informs the Book Acts. They are the best lens through which to understand what we read in Acts. In the last post, we looked at John 14. Here let’s take a look at a few verses in John 15. This chapter begins with:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes . . . [you cannot bear fruit] unless you abide in me. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit . . . If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers . . . You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give to you.

The principles expressed here are two-fold: abiding in him propagates life; failing to do so leads to death. Can we see these principles of abiding or not in the Book of Acts? Yes.

We of course see this positive principle realized in Barnabas. He gives his property and himself. He takes hold of Saul/Paul. He is alive and fruitful throughout the Book of Acts.

But we also see the negative principle in Ananias and Sapphira. See Acts 5. They were cut off, taken away just as Christ foretold.

There are other examples in the lives Luke leads us to.

But being fruitful and multiplying is the order of the Acceptable Year of the Lord. And we see that in spades in the Book of Acts. The Lord is adding to the Church daily. The Word is moving out into the world and the Gentiles are rejoicing. This is life and life more abundant, just as He said. John 15 and the Book of Acts are intimately connected.