Evidences of Isaianic social justice restoration in the early community of Luke-Acts

Abstract

In Luke-Acts, Luke intentionally describes the early Jewish-Christian

community in accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy for an ethical restoration of social

justice in Israel. This thesis accomplishes this argument in three chapters. First, it

explores Isaiah’s program of restoration and argues that it includes social justice through

the Davidic Messiah and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, an argument is

made that Luke’s presentation of Jesus accords with the Isaianic picture of a socially just

Davidic king empowered by the Spirit, who works to bring social justice through his

reign. Lastly, the events of Pentecost and Acts 2:42–47 with insight gathered from Acts

4:32–37, are considered. Here the argument is presented that Luke draws Isaianic themes

together from his gospel to demonstrate that, in Acts, Jesus’ exaltation and the outpouring

of the Holy Spirit result in Isaiah’s vision of a Jewish community restored to fruitfulness

as a socially just society.