8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
1/33
New Testament Survey:
Book of Acts
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
2/33
The Author
Luke is assigned as the author.* The book is addressed to Theophilus(Luke
1:3; Acts 1:1, 2)form er treat ise
Identical in style to Luke. Historical sequence to the gospel of Luke.
Written in first-person plural (we). The
writer was an eye-witness to what he waswriting. (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 27:1; 28:16)
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
3/33
When the Book Was Written
Coincides reasonably with the close of the
historical account.
Paul is still alive and in a Roman prison.
History recorded in Acts would not have
ended so abruptly if Pauls death had
already occurred.
Written prior to 70 A.D. and after Paul
reached Romeprobably around 63 A.D.
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
4/33
The Books Audience
Intended for a wider reading audience than just
Theophilus.
Origin of Christianitys beginning among the Jews.
Much of the book is concerned with the transfer of
the center of interest from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Spreading the gospel to the known Gentile world. Historical account to meet the need of both
Jews and Gentiles (1:8)
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
5/33
The Books Purpose
Historical Motive
See Luke 1:4and Acts 1:5.
Acts gives a history of the continuationof Jesus work, by the Holy Spirit,
through the Apostles.
The final instruction (1:8)
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
6/33
The Defense Motive
In Acts, every contact with government
officials receives a favorable hearing oris ignored.
Acts 13Sergius Paulus
Acts 16:35-39officials at Philippi
Acts 19:31officals at Ephesus
Acts 24-26Felix, Festus, and Agrippa
The Books Purpose
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
7/33
The Biographical Motive
Luke divided the Acts historical record
into two different sections biographical innature:
Chapters 1-12history of Peters work
Chapters 13-28the apostles work with
the GentilesPaul!
The Books Purpose
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
8/33
Contents and Character
The book, Acts of the Apostles,
records for us the history of
Christianitys beginning, growth,and spreadduring at least the first 30
years--from Christsascension to
Paulsimprisonment in Rome.
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
9/33
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
10/33
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
11/33
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
12/33
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
13/33
The Apostolic Office and Work
Apostolic office in operation doing the
work that Jesus selected and trained theapostles to do.
Witnesses for Christ (1:8, 21, 22)
Eye and ear witnesses of that about
which they bore testimony (1:2; 26:16-
18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; 1 John 1:1-4)
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
14/33
The Apostolic Office and WorkA competent witness must give clear and
accurate testimony.
Guided by the Holy Spirit (1 Corin th ians2:9-13)
Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corin thians5:20; Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-32)
Sat upon thrones with authority to ruleover the church (Matthew 19:28; Ac ts2:42; 15; Galatians 2:1-9; 1 John 4:6)
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
15/33
The Holy Spirits Work
His mission was first promised by Christ.
John 14:16,17, 25,26; 16:7-15; Acts 1:8 Promise fulfilled on Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 2:15-21
Acts 2:33
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
16/33
The Holy Spirits Work
Reveal the gospel.
Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13;Ephesians 3:3-5
Confirm the word by miracles.
Mark 16:15-20
Acts 6:6-8; 8:6-13; 19:6
Hebrews 2:1-4
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
17/33
The Holy Spirits Work
Convict and convert the sinners. John 16:8-11
Continue to guide and direct theapostles. Acts 5:32
Acts 4:31 Acts 9:31
Romans 8:14
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
18/33
The Preaching of the Gospel
Given by a variety of expressions
The message preached and the different
circumstances under which it was preached.
Continued steadfastlyActs 2:42
Spoke the word of God; preach the word;the word of the Lord Acts 4:31; 13:44; 14:25; 18:11; 15:35-36; 16:32
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
19/33
The Preaching of the Gospel
Teach and p reach Chris t
Acts 5:42; 8:5, 35; 9:20; 11:20
Preach ing the th ings o f the kingdom
of God; name of Christ
Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23; 28:31
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
20/33
The Preaching of the Gospel
Preach the gospel
Acts 14:7-21; 16:10
Decrees to keep, that were ordained
of the apost les and elders which were
at Jerusalem
Acts 16:4
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
21/33
The Preaching of the Gospel
The way of salvation more accurately
Acts 16:17; 18:26
Reasoned with them from the Scriptures
Acts 17:2
Shrank not from declaring anything that wasprofitable; Gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:20, 24, 27
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
22/33
Story of Conversion
A number of conversions are related.
All have several things in common. In each case, the gospel was preached.
None occurred separate and apart from
the preaching of the word; not by anymiraculous event!
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
23/33
Story of Conversion
Saved by the gospelbecause they
believed the truth preached. Faith in the gospel they heard always
produced the commanded work of
obedienceto Gods will!See next chart
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
24/33
Case Believe Repent Confess BaptismJews Acts 2:36 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38
Samaritans Acts 8:12 Acts 8:12ff
Eunuch Acts 8:36-37 Acts 8:37 Acts 8:38
Saul Acts 22:16
Cornelius Acts 10:43 Acts 11:15 Acts 10:48
Lydia Acts 16:15
Jailor Acts 16:31 Acts 16:33 Acts 16:33
Corinthians Acts 18:8 Acts 18:8
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
25/33
Story of the Church
What it was, of whom it consisted, its
organization, its mission and work, its
worship, and its growth and development.
We can learn about the church in the
beginning when it was under apostolic
guidanceas designed and built by
God. It must be the same today!
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
26/33
Story of the Church
Made up of those who believed and
obeyed the gospel demands and wereadded to the saved by the Lord.
Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:42; 11:24;
13:12; 13:48; 14:1; 17:4; 12:12; 17:34;
28:24; 2:47
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
27/33
Story of the Church
Identity of the church and its singularity
are easily distinguishable in the Acts
historical record
Vital activity (Ac ts 2:42)
Organization of early church (Ac ts 14:23)
Worship of that church (Ac ts 11:25,26)
Purity (Ac ts 5:11)
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
28/33
Story of the Church Its work
Evangelism
Acts 11:19,20 (personal) Acts 11:22 (congregational)
Funds were sent directly to the preacher.
(Philippians 1:5 - 2:25; 4:14-16; 2 Cor.11:7-9) No example of one church sending to another
church to help with the preachers support!
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
29/33
Story of the Church
Its work
Benevolent work
Church providing for its own needy.
Acts 2, 4, and 6
Churches unable to care for their own.
Acts 11:29-31
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
2 Corinthians 8, 9
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
30/33
Story of the Church
Pattern of benevolent work
Contributing church raised its own funds fromits own memberseachaccord ing to h is
abi l i ty.
Acts 11:27-30
1 Corinthians 16:1-4
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
31/33
Story of the Church
Pattern of benevolent work
Contributing church selected its ownmessengers to carry its contribution to
the needy church.
Delivered to the church elders.
Acts 11:27-30
2Corinthians 8,9
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
32/33
Story of the Church
Pattern of benevolent work
In no case did any contributing churchsend through the agency of another
churchno centralized oversight!
One churchs eldership did not usurp
another elderships authority oroversight.
Contents and Character
8/12/2019 20090426 Acts
33/33
Story of the Church
Met the problem of false doctrine byappealing to authority.
Acts 15:1, 5,22,40
Each church edified by its own elders,through its own program of teaching
and encouragement from gospelpreachers.
Acts 11:22; 13:1-3; 16:40; 20:1,32
Contents and Character
Top Related