the evangelistic speeches in Acts focus on the resurrection of Jesus, suggesting a corrective to today’s evangelistic message and preaching. The speeches highlight the fact and implications of the resurrection of Jesus. A case that he has been raised from the dead is rarely offered. Most often, the evangelists are interested in communicating that it is God who has raised Jesus - the verbs used, egeiro and anistemi are found with God as their subject (e.g., 2:36; 17:31) - and that God’s action in raising Jesus confirms Jesus’ identity as Israel’s Messiah and the world’s Lord and judge (e.g., 2:36; 17:31). It is because of who Jesus is now known to be, postresurrection, that people are summoned to repent and turn to God (e.g., 2:38; 17:30).
Steven Walton, “Book of Acts,” in Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Craig G. Bartholomew, Daniel J. Treier, and N. T. Wright (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005), 31.
