God (in) Acts: The Characterization of God in the Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles reveals a God at work. However what do Gods actions reveal about Gods character? This question drives the present study whose ultimate goal is to discover what portrayal Acts constructs of God through Gods actions. Aarflot demonstrates how Jesuss ascension and the development of the gentile mission prove key to Acts distinctive portrayal of God. The study explores what happens to the characterization of God when Jesuss character comes to resemble God through the ascension noting in particular the effect of ambiguous language that might refer to either God or Jesus on the portrayal of God. It also considers how Acts depicts God through actions in Israels past in relation to the narrative present. This is done by looking at how God is characterized at decisive moments of Acts plot. The resulting observations are ultimately synthesized in a final chapter presenting the portrayal of God in Acts. The results of the study have implications for the discussion of the impact of Christology on theology and furthers the discussion of God in the New Testament by delineating a constant yet developing image of God and solidifies previous researchs observations on the centrality of Gods actions to Acts narrative.