When the book of Acts is mentioned, a cluster of issues inevitably springs to mind, including speaking in tongues and baptism with the Holy Spirit, church government and practice, and missionary methods and strategies. At the popular level at least, Acts is still often used more for answers to debates that were not necessarily Luke's concern than listened to for his own emphases.
Alan Thompson's aim is not to address such debates, but rather to offer a biblical-theological framework for interpreting the book of Acts, so that Luke's major themes may be identified and related to the book as a whole. He especially highlights Acts as an account of the 'continuing story' of God's saving purposes: Luke intends his work to be read in the light of Old Testament promises and the continuing reign of Christ in the inaugurated kingdom of God. In this light, Luke's key themes are better understood and integrated.
Furthermore, the emphasis on the kingdom of God is as relevant for Christians today as it was in the first century. All who follow the Lord Jesus this side of the cross and resurrection need to know that God is accomplishing his saving purposes even now through the reign of Christ.
