Quote:
Originally Posted by Tithesmeister
Can you expound on why it is only descriptive if it is mentioned once, but is prescriptive if it is mentioned more than once?
What reason is this based on?
I have heard of it happening (tongues of fire appearing) once.
|
The Book of Acts is a narrative history genre with a theological nature, aka, theological narrative history.
Let's see Luke's concern and intention with his two-volumes Luke-Acts:
[
Luk 1:1-4 NASB] 1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write [it] out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
See how the prologue of Acts is dependent on the Gospel of Luke:
[
Act 1:1-3 NASB] 1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up [to heaven,] after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over [a period of] forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over [a period of] forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.
They are connected as two-volume work.
See how he starts Acts making the point that Jesus' resurrection was a real deal, with convincing proofs. He was concerned about explaining to Theophilus, who was already a disciple, the truth, as it is, and also in the right order of how they happened, with convincing evidences, so that he may know the exact truth about the things he has been taught. Therefore, when you read Acts, you have to pay attention of how Luke intentionally chooses relevant stories and details to teach a theological truth.
The book was not just a history book recording facts just for the matter of recording. It was purposely written to teach theological truth.
Then, notice how Luke in general, repeats things to make a point; therefore the lack of repetition can be taken as something not prescriptive, e.g., the selling of all your properties and putting them in the feet of the apostles. That is descriptive, not prescriptive, but the sharing of your wealth, as a principle, is repeated in several places.