What was the old Jewish program in the Book of Acts that the transition moved away from?
The old Jewish program in Acts centered on temple worship, the Law, and Israel's expectation that Jesus was the Christ, the King, and the Redeemer of Israel. The transition moved from that program toward Paul's Gospel of grace through faith plus nothing.
Les explains that the Book of Acts records a transition comparable to a change from one presidential administration to another, such as Jimmy Carter's to Ronald Reagan's. The old Jewish program involved temple worship, the Law, and the message that Jesus was the Christ, the King, and the Redeemer of Israel. The transition moved away from that program to Paul's Gospel of grace through faith plus nothing. Les says this is not a contradiction but a change of program, just as two administrations can operate under the same Constitution. He also warns that Acts should not be used as a doctrinal book because of these shifts, and points to Paul's letters as what follows.