The Book of Acts vs the Hebrew Bible

The Book of Acts functions as a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. It narrates the early church’s expansion from Jerusalem to Rome. But as Frans Hansen shows, Acts also serves another purpose: it turns theology into policy. The decisions of apostles and elders become precedents for abandoning Torah commandments. Hansen’s audit asks whether those narrative choices are justified by the Hebrew Bible or whether they represent unilateral departures.

Key events—like the Jerusalem Council’s ruling on gentile converts, Peter’s vision of unclean animals and Paul’s missionary journeys—are scrutinised in light of Torah law. Hansen demonstrates how Acts frames these moments as divine endorsement for relaxing dietary laws, circumcision and Sabbath observance. He also examines how the author uses speeches and miracles to assert authority: by presenting miraculous signs, Acts positions itself as the continuation of prophetic history, even as it authorises actions the prophets never countenanced.

For readers concerned about where and why Christianity diverged from Judaism, this book provides valuable answers. It reveals that many later doctrines and practices trace their justification not to explicit scripture but to narrative decisions in Acts. By reading those stories alongside the relevant Torah passages, you can decide whether the shifts were warranted or whether they reflect a different agenda.

Related Books

To delve deeper into New Testament reinterpretations, consider these volumes: