MODELS FOR MISSIONAL CHURCHES IN ACTS

Abstract

In the first part of the article the issue of identity is briefly defined and discussed. Several facets of the church's identity in Luke-Acts are identified as elements of a comparative grid. These are: the relationship with Jesus, inclusiveness, vulnerability vs. power, and movements of the Spirit. In the second and third parts the proposed grid is applied to the missional actions and communities in Luke and Acts respectively. The fourth part deals with a possible shift of paradigms from Luke to Acts and also within Acts itself. The paper closes with a few conclusions and gives indications for further investigation.