As we read Acts, we encounter the Apostles at work carrying out the ministry of a the early church and mission of Jesus Christ.  Do some of these actions seem familiar?  Did you notice anything familiar perhaps in Acts 6, when the Apostles, those who were sent out, laid their hands on the seven to ensure there were enough to assist widows in the distribution of food.  Some consider the laying on of hands of Stephen and the others the ordination of the first deacons.  According to the Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer:

The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his
Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and
to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the
Gospel and the administration of the sacraments. - BCP pg. 856


This order of ministry, in part, originating from this particular passage.  They are sent out in particular to serve the poor.  The laying on of hands to invoke the Holy Spirit's presence is present in the ordination of Bishops and Priests as well.  We also see it in the right of Confirmation (Reaffirmation and Reception) and at every baptism, the Oil of Chrism, blessed by a Bishop, brings the presence of the bishop to that moment.  The laying on of hands at baptism, ordination, and Confirmation, continues the acknowledgement of the passing on of the particular call of the Holy Spirit in individuals and we trace it back to moments like this in Scripture. 

As we read, take note of other areas in our liturgy or Church tradition that look similar to what you are reading.  They are likely not only related but based upon those events. 

I listened to this rendition of Mary's song, the Magnificat while writing this post.  If you are inclined to this kind of music, perhaps listen and see if hearing these words through music enhances its impact. 

Jesus' Scriptures were that of the Old Testament and the authors of the New Testament were familiar with the Scriptures in our Old Testament.  We see many links between the two and this is especially seen in the beautiful language in the Song of Hannah from 1 Samuel and the Song of Mary in Luke.  These Scriptures have lasted for thousands of years and point to something eternal. 

I love the narrative of Samuel.  It is some of the most complex literature of the Old Testament but the stories are fascinating.  We have read about Hannah who is barren in an age when a woman's worth was directly tied to her fertility.  She cries out to the Lord in anguish and God responds.  We do not always receive such a tangible response but notice Hannah's reaction.  She says or sings this ancient hymn.  Perhaps, think of it this way.  If we win a national championship, perhaps we start singing Queen's "We are the champions."  Hannah's joy bursts out in these magnificent lyrics. 

Mary is confronted with the impossible as well.  She has not "known" a man and is engaged to Joseph.  Yet, the angel of the Lord delivers the news to her that she will give birth to Jesus.  Mary, echoing Hannah's song sings in exultation! This is one of the most gorgeous passages we have in the New Testament and, while we are not able to put into words the joy given to us through the announcement that God will become incarnate, these words will have to do! 

Look at the parallels below and especially the themes of God exalting the lowly.  Those who are derided by society are lifted up.  This is the gift given through God throughout generations and is the message in this hymn that points towards not an original author, but the founder of the gift...God.  This is the promise given to us when we are brought low by life (which has and will continue to happen).  God will lift us up! 

These two pieces of Scripture are wonderful sources of joy in times of joy and in times of sorrow.  You are invited to mark them and come back to them when they are needed as medicine for the soul. 

We are in the midst of our final Gospel, John and we should have at least one post on the Gospels as a whole.  The word Gospel ”Euaggelion” means “Good News,” or “Good Announcement,” This is a (mostly) unique type of literature to Christianity that is in no way our modern biography.  We hear of the stories of Jesus Christ and it is of note, that all of our Gospels were written after his death, probably between 65-100 AD/CE. 

The first three Gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels because they can be viewed in line or side by side.  These three are so similar that there is likely a source connection between them.  That is, one or more of the Gospels knew about the other and there maybe another source out there (another Gospel).  Let’s look at a few theories about the authorship and sources of these first three Gospels. 

The Griesbach Hypothesis has Matthew as the oldest with Luke uses Matthew to write that Gospel and Mark using both Luke and Matthew.  But, Mark omits some of the stories that Matthew and Luke have in common… That makes it unlikely that this theory is correct.   

The most agreed-upon theory for the origin of the Gospels authorship and composition is with the two-source hypothesis (also four source). This theory places Mark as the oldest Gospel and is likely the case.  In this theory, Matthew uses Mark and an unknown source that we call Q.  Luke uses Mark and unknown source Q as well.  In this scenario, Luke and Matthew do not know about each other.  This theory has the fewest unanswered questions. 

Q?  Yes, we think that there is another source or Gospel out there that Luke and Matthew used (but is not used by Mark).  We call this document or source, Q.  Only God knows if we will ever discover such a Gospel or source and it is likely destroyed centuries ago. I’m hoping Indiana Jones will uncover this for us in the next movie.

What about John?  John’s narrative is poetic and theological.  It is the most simple language and yet the most complex ideas.  John likely knew of other Gospels as all four, for example, have the feeding of the multitudes.  John also has unique material such as story about the adulterer about to be stoned…”you without sin may cast the first stone…” 

This post touches on authorship and some theories and there are scholars who have dedicated their careers to such research.  We read these Gospels as independent and yet symbiotic documents for our understanding of Jesus, the person, our God, and Savior.  Holding such knowledge enables us to approach the documents in new ways.  God did not write our Holy Scriptures but inspired such documents.  The revelation of God as we experience it in Christianity is in the person of Jesus Christ which dwells in and with each of us today.