Exemplary Life: A Theology of Church Life in Acts

by Andy Chambers

Exemplary Life articulates Luke’s vision for life together in a local church using key passages from Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35; and 5:12-16 (known as “summary narratives”) as the starting point of reference. Although Luke is rightly acclaimed as the church’s first historian, he was a powerful writer and theologian as well. He also planted churches with Paul and had definite convictions about what life together in the church should look like. Yet, Luke’s theology of church life is underemphasized in modern scholarship, downplayed by issues rising from the historical-critical method.

However, when the summary narratives are studied through the lens of narrative and rhetorical criticism, Luke’s strategy is unmistakable. Those passages cast a vision for life together in an exemplary church, drawn from the historical circumstances of the church in Jerusalem. These narratives also serve as a starting point for studying church life throughout Acts. When the church planting movements in Samaria, Antioch, Ephesus, and Troas are examined, we find echoes of the narratives almost constantly. These amplify and drive home Luke’s message in the summary narratives.

Taking this path, twenty distinct characteristics of exemplary church life emerge. From repentance and Scriptural authority to praying together and earning the respect of neighbors, each one is thoughtfully presented here by author Andy Chambers to reassert Luke’s voice in 21st century conversations about the faithful formation of New Testament churches.

Genres: Theology

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2012

Reviews

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good academic treatment about the descriptions of the life of the early church in Acts as prescriptive. Pastors could read the introduction and maybe ch. 7-8.

Much of this work is to persuade the academic guild and writers of eccelsiologies to take Acts seriously as a proto-ecclesiology (in addition to having profound implications for history, theology, pneumatology, and mission). Chambers argues that we do not simply derive ecclesiology from Acts, but that Luke uses narrative techniques to deliberately highlight certain features of ecclesiology within Acts and for Acts' readers (us).

Pastors will intuit and quickly arrive to the conclusions Chambers arrives at without all the necessary academic anchoring, but we can learn that these portraits in 2:42-47; 4:34-35; and 5:12-16 are deliberate and recalled in the "echoes" of Gentile churches later in Acts.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real meat of this book is in chapters 7 and 8. Chapters 1-6 are interesting, but a bit dry. They are useful, however, to get the most out of the final two chapters.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights into Luke's theology in Acts. We often think about the "Go!" part of the mission, which is 100% true. Chambers shows that we are called both to go and to gather. The church is both part of the Christian mission and how we carry out that mission. Chambers also illuminates Luke's theology on what exactly the church should look like.

The early chapters about the academic history of this subject were somewhat drier but still helpful. The later chapters that dive into Scripture and give pastoral insights were a treasure!

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much and learned a lot about not only how the early church grew, but how also we can grow today's chuech as well.

it also hammered down some issues i.e. signs/wonders/tongues that I belived in, but also gave me that "icing on the cake" feeling so that I can better defend my believe.

A little wordy in places, lind of like a thesis, but over all an excellent book.

[John Waldrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exceptional book focusing on church life in Acts, beginning with the Jerusalem church. Methinks chapters 1 and 2 would be a difficult read for most, and it could have been written for a wider audience. Nevertheless, it is a very worthwhile read and I recommend it.