The Mission and Method

Today we will begin an overview of the Acts of the Apostles. We did an overview of the Old Testament to get a Foundation of our Faith. Now, we are going to lay the Foundation for the church by looking at the overview of this book.

The Acts of the Apostles

Background

Acts of the Apostles, or Acts, as it is commonly called, was written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel which is an account of Jesus’ life and ministry. It was most likely written about 30 years after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. It ends with Paul in prison, so it had to be written before the persecution of the church by Nero and the death of Paul. So, it is thought to be written around 60 AD. Luke wrote this after having researched the events with those who witnessed them.

Luke 1.1-4

After gathering the facts, he wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This was all done in the lifetime of the witnesses to all of the events, both those who were supportive of Christ and the church, and those who opposed it. Therefore, it was able to be verified immediately when written.

Veracity

Some believe that Luke was in part writing an apologetic for Paul’s trial, so the Romans would know why Paul was there in Rome on appeal to Caesar. Being written in the time when everything could be checked by the authorities, we have great support for the accuracy of the events recorded in the gospel of Luke, and the Acts of the Apostles.

Importance

Not only was this a great apologetic for the church to the Roman authorities, this book is important to us as believers today! It shows us how the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus spread from the Jews in Jerusalem, to the surrounding regions, then to Samaritans, and finally to Gentiles.

We see God fulfilling his promises, Christ building his church, and the Spirit enabling his people to do the work they have been given.

In it we see the beginnings of the church, and what the purpose of the church is. We also see how the church dealt with theological issues and how the church leadership functioned.

Acts shows us what the church is, what it does, and how it does it.

This book should challenge and excite us to continue in the work God has given us, just as those early believers did.

The Mission and the Method

Today, we are going to see what that work is, our Mission. We are also going to see the demonstration of first part of the Method for completing that Mission. Next week, we will see the second part of the Method, and the Means for accomplishing that part of the Method and the Mission.

So, let’s get started reading through this book, and looking for the Mission and the Method.

Acts 1:1–3 NIV

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:4–5 NIV

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

God Fulfills His Promises

Isaiah 44:3 NIV

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Joel 2:28 NIV

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

John 1:33 NIV

And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’

Acts 1:6 NIV

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Acts 1:7 NIV

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Mission

You will be my witnesses

martus - One who has information or knowledge of something, and hence, one who can give information, bring to light, or confirm something : Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth

Luke 24:46–49 NIV

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

fulfillment of what God had already said.

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Ascension

Acts 1:9–11 NIV

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The Method

Acts 1:12–14 NIV

Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Prayer - corporate prayer

Acts 1:24 NIV

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen

Acts 2:1 NIV

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:42 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 4:24–31 NIV

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Acts 12:5 NIV

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Acts 12:12 NIV

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Acts 13:3 NIV

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 20:36 NIV

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

Acts 21:5 NIV

When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.

Why corporate prayer?

Matthew 18:19–20 NIV

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

John 17:11 NIV

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

John 17:20–23 NIV

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Corporate Prayer Enhances Unity

Unity has to do with the completion of the mission

Prayer reminds us of our great God - Thankfulness

Prayer reminds us of our dependence upon God

Prayer brings our hearts and minds into focus on God’s desires

Prayer unifies us as we all come together for God’s designs and purposes

Corporate Prayer for:

God’s Direction - Acts 1:24

God’s Mission - Acts 4.31

Deliverance - Acts 12:5

Governmental Leaders - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Sinners - 1 John 5:16

What about you and me? Are we on mission? Are we praying together?

1 Timothy 5:5 NIV

The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.

Do we recognize our need?

John 15:6 NIV

If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Do we seek him together?

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Matthew 6:19–23 NIV

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:31–33 NIV

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 7:7–8 NIV

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.