Acts Part 1

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Luke was a physician and companion of Paul

He wrote first book to explain Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection

Theophilus literally means “lover/friend of God”

Might be a title or proper name

Possibly a general designation for the Christian reader

This work is the compilation of eyewitnesses, Luke was a studied man how investigated the life of Jesus thoroughly

Luke was willing to stake his entire life and reputation on this work… “certainty”

Introducing “Acts”

(1) Name

My favorite name for the book is Second Luke

The name is referring to the “Acts of the Apostles”

Really, mostly about 2 Apostles

Peter 1-12, Paul 13-28

Acts 1:1–2 ESV

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

(2) Acts was written with purpose

Theophilus

Must search for the author’s intended meaning

It is frustrating to be misunderstood...

Acts 1:3 ESV

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

(3) History

Unique, only narrative after the gospels

Sets up the context for most of Paul’s writing

Shows us where we came from

Acts 1:4–5 ESV

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

(4) Holy Spirit

It’s hard to study Acts and not have questions about the Holy Spirit.

There is a lot of confusion about the Holy Spirit in the church today.

Some treat the Holy Spirit as a force, not a person… Huge error

It is my humble opinion that much of the church cheapens the role of the Holy Spirit today.

People may say I have a small view of the Holy Spirit or the “spiritual gifts” but I would say quite the opposite

Imagine my wife saying I’m amazing at tennis, but really I’m not, and constantly fails to bring up the fact that I love her deeply, sacrifice for our relationship, and provide for our family.

I can’t say everything there is to say...

Roles of the Holy Spirit are at least to give:

(1) Life

(2) Help

(3) Revelation

Life

1 Corinthians 2:12–13 ESV

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Help

John 14:15–17 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

This is the first time the Holy Spirit is referred to has the “Helper” and is referred to this way 3 more times in the book of John...

Some churches teach a separate “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” I do not believe this is Biblical. If you are in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. There is not a separate baptism; every church I’m aware of that teaches the separate filling doctrine ends up cheapening the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26–27 ESV

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Revelation

Looking at John 15:26-16:15, there are at least 3 ways the Holy Spirit gives revelation, and it may not be what you’re thinking.

There is a very real sense in which a Christian knows Jesus is alive because the Holy Spirit has illuminated their heart. Is this a strong apologetic argument? Not for the world, but you can rest knowing that the Holy Spirit is making Jesus real to you.

And just as the Holy Spirit makes Jesus real to you, that is, bears witness to you, you bear witness to others.

Another way the Holy Spirit gives revelation is concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement.

John 16:7–11 ESV

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Another way that the Holy Spirit gives revelation is through the word of God and its preservation.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. John 15-16 is not the only place that the Bible talks about the Spirit bearing witness to the truth, and with the Spirit living inside believers, I certainly believe that He is leading us in truth. That is revelation. The truth is most clearly revealed to us in the word of God. Jesus said he came to bear witness to this same truth...

The church was built on the authority of the Apostles. The Apostles were given special authority by Jesus himself

2 Peter 1:16–21 ESV

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

This is not happening today.

Peter was in a special position to be able to say this.

Acts 1:6–7 ESV

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

(5) Every time the Holy Spirit shows up, the gospel is proclaimed

This is a better mark that the Holy Spirit is present and active

The most genuinely charismatic times in my life have been when I’m sharing the gospel

Acts 1:9–11 ESV

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

(6) These are the “last days”

Acts 1:12–14 ESV

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 1:15–19 ESV

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

Acts 1:20 ESV

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “ ‘Let another take his office.’

Acts 1:21–23 ESV

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

Acts 1:24–26 ESV

And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.