The verb represented by Strong’s Greek 4400 highlights God’s prior decision to select, appoint, or set apart people or plans for His redemptive purposes. In Acts this idea consistently links divine initiative with mission, underscoring that salvation history unfolds by God’s design rather than human ingenuity.

Occurrences in Acts

1. Acts 3:20 – Peter explains that the risen Jesus is “the Christ appointed for you”. The word points back to prophetic expectation and forward to fulfillment in Jesus’ exaltation.
2. Acts 22:14 – Ananias tells Saul, “The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice of His mouth”. Paul’s Damascus-road experience is interpreted as an advance designation for apostolic service.
3. Acts 26:16 – The risen Lord says to Paul, “But rise and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of Me and what I will show you”. Paul’s defense before Agrippa stresses that his mission stems from Christ’s prior commissioning, not self-promotion.

Historical Background

Luke writes in a Greco-Roman milieu where rulers “appointed” officials. By using this verb, he frames God as the supreme King who installs His chosen agents—Christ, then His witnesses. The setting amplifies the counter-cultural claim that ultimate authority resides in God’s determinations, not imperial decrees.

Thematic Connections

• Election and Covenant: Echoes of Old Testament language describing how the Lord “chose” Abraham, Moses, David, and the Servant (Isaiah 42:1) surface in Acts, uniting Israel’s account with the church’s mission.
• Prophetic Fulfillment: Jesus as the “appointed” Messiah (Acts 3) answers texts such as Psalm 2:2 and Isaiah 61:1.
• Apostolic Authentication: Paul’s repeated appeal to divine appointment validates his apostleship before Jewish and Gentile audiences alike (Acts 22; 26; cf. Galatians 1:15-16).
• Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: While God appoints, humans respond in obedience (Acts 26:19—Paul was “not disobedient to the heavenly vision”).

Doctrinal Implications

1. Divine Sovereignty: God pre-plans redemptive milestones, ensuring that Christ and His emissaries accomplish salvation.
2. Assurance of the Gospel: Because Christ is God’s appointed Messiah, His work is certain and sufficient.
3. Authority of Witness: Apostolic testimony carries the weight of God’s appointment, supporting the reliability of New Testament revelation.

Practical Ministry Lessons

• Calling Precedes Commission: Genuine ministry flows from God’s prior choice, producing humility and boldness.
• Clarity in Mission: Understanding one’s divine appointment anchors perseverance amid opposition, as illustrated by Paul’s steadfastness.
• Christ-Centered Proclamation: Since Jesus is the divinely appointed Savior, preaching must focus on His person and work rather than human wisdom.
• Dependence on Scripture: Recognizing God’s pattern of appointing servants encourages reading both Testaments as a unified narrative of His sovereign purpose.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4400 in Acts portrays a God who actively designates the Messiah and His messengers, weaving divine election and human obedience into one seamless account of redemption. This perspective fortifies confidence in Scripture’s message and energizes the church’s mission in every generation.