The Book of Acts | Lesson 1
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1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
I. Introduction to the Book of Acts
I. Introduction to the Book of Acts
A. The Bible is made up of 66 distinct books.
A. The Bible is made up of 66 distinct books.
B. Why would the Book of Acts be the most important book for us today?
B. Why would the Book of Acts be the most important book for us today?
1. In the Book of Acts we find the beginning of the New Testament Church.
1. In the Book of Acts we find the beginning of the New Testament Church.
2. In the Book of Acts we find the only plan of Salvation for us today.
2. In the Book of Acts we find the only plan of Salvation for us today.
3. In the Book of Acts we see how this New Testament Church grew.
3. In the Book of Acts we see how this New Testament Church grew.
4. In the Book of Acts we see how this New Testament Church evangelized the world.
4. In the Book of Acts we see how this New Testament Church evangelized the world.
C. The Book of Acts was written by Luke—who also wrote the third Gospel.
C. The Book of Acts was written by Luke—who also wrote the third Gospel.
1. Luke is first mentioned in the letters of the Apostle Paul as his coworker and as the beloved physician.
1. Luke is first mentioned in the letters of the Apostle Paul as his coworker and as the beloved physician.
2. Luke is a Greek and the only Gentile Christian writer of the New Testament. (He was the only Gentile writer of the whole Bible.)
2. Luke is a Greek and the only Gentile Christian writer of the New Testament. (He was the only Gentile writer of the whole Bible.)
3. Luke wrote more pages of the New Testament than any other writer, including Paul and John.(The longest Gospel was the Book of Luke.)
3. Luke wrote more pages of the New Testament than any other writer, including Paul and John.(The longest Gospel was the Book of Luke.)
4. The gospels give us the birth, life, death, resurrection, and the ascension into heaven of Jesus. They also give to us His teachings, healings, and miracles.
4. The gospels give us the birth, life, death, resurrection, and the ascension into heaven of Jesus. They also give to us His teachings, healings, and miracles.
D. The Book of Acts is a continuation of the Book of Luke and was written to a man named Theophilus.
D. The Book of Acts is a continuation of the Book of Luke and was written to a man named Theophilus.
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
1. Luke and Acts make up a two-volume work. The books of Luke and Acts' are about "salvation’s history" (Remember that Luke shows us the man—Jesus Christ)
1. Luke and Acts make up a two-volume work. The books of Luke and Acts' are about "salvation’s history" (Remember that Luke shows us the man—Jesus Christ)
E. Luke divides history into three stages:
E. Luke divides history into three stages:
1. The arrival of Jesus the Messiah, from his birth to the beginning of his earthly ministry.
1. The arrival of Jesus the Messiah, from his birth to the beginning of his earthly ministry.
2. The earthly ministry of Jesus, ending in his death and resurrection.
2. The earthly ministry of Jesus, ending in his death and resurrection.
3. Finally the time of the beginning of the Church, from Peter to Paul, from Jerusalem to Rome
3. Finally the time of the beginning of the Church, from Peter to Paul, from Jerusalem to Rome
F. The book of Luke is what Jesus did in His physical body.
F. The book of Luke is what Jesus did in His physical body.
G. The book of Acts is what He did through His Spiritual body, the Church.
G. The book of Acts is what He did through His Spiritual body, the Church.
1. The book of Acts has often been called “The Book of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit (Ghost) is mentioned more than fifty times in the book.
1. The book of Acts has often been called “The Book of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit (Ghost) is mentioned more than fifty times in the book.
i. Jesus (Flesh) was God (Spirit)—and so He is also the Holy Ghost.
i. Jesus (Flesh) was God (Spirit)—and so He is also the Holy Ghost.
ii.God revealed Himself in the Old Testament as Father. Almighty God.
ii.God revealed Himself in the Old Testament as Father. Almighty God.
iii. God revealed Himself in the gospels as Son. God in flesh.
iii. God revealed Himself in the gospels as Son. God in flesh.
iv. God revealed and continues to reveal Himself as The Holy Ghost in the Church.
iv. God revealed and continues to reveal Himself as The Holy Ghost in the Church.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
2. This book covers about thirty years. It begins with the ascension of the Lord and ends with Paul’s residence in Rome as a prisoner.
2. This book covers about thirty years. It begins with the ascension of the Lord and ends with Paul’s residence in Rome as a prisoner.
3. You must study and understand this book from the perspective of it being a “What Happened Book.”
3. You must study and understand this book from the perspective of it being a “What Happened Book.”
4. How were people born into this New Testament Church? It tells us exactly how people were saved—born-again—in the early church.
4. How were people born into this New Testament Church? It tells us exactly how people were saved—born-again—in the early church.
5. This is the written account, under the inspiration of God, of what happened in and to the early church. How they were saved, what they preached. The working of God.
5. This is the written account, under the inspiration of God, of what happened in and to the early church. How they were saved, what they preached. The working of God.
i. What better place to look (Than the Book of Acts) to find out how to be saved than to study the first church and see how they were saved!
i. What better place to look (Than the Book of Acts) to find out how to be saved than to study the first church and see how they were saved!
II. Infallible proofs.
II. Infallible proofs.
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
A. What were the infallible proofs. (i.e. incapable of failing, certain)
A. What were the infallible proofs. (i.e. incapable of failing, certain)
1. His appearance at different times to different people.
1. His appearance at different times to different people.
2. He ate and drank. (Disciples)
2. He ate and drank. (Disciples)
3. Meeting them in Galilee. (Disciples)
3. Meeting them in Galilee. (Disciples)
4. He allowed His body to be touched. (Thomas)
4. He allowed His body to be touched. (Thomas)
5. He instructed them about the Kingdom. (Disciples)
5. He instructed them about the Kingdom. (Disciples)
6. He appeared to about five hundred people at one time.
6. He appeared to about five hundred people at one time.
7. He continued public appearances of Himself for forty days.
7. He continued public appearances of Himself for forty days.
B. Jesus gives two commandments before His ascention.
B. Jesus gives two commandments before His ascention.
1. The apostles were to remain in Jerusalem.
1. The apostles were to remain in Jerusalem.
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
2. They were to go into the entire world as witnesses.
2. They were to go into the entire world as witnesses.
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
C. The promise of the Father.
C. The promise of the Father.
1. The Holy Ghost was promised. Note: God keeps His promises.
1. The Holy Ghost was promised. Note: God keeps His promises.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
i. Jesus was limited in His earthly body. He could only be at one place at one time. But now as Spirit He can be anywhere at any time to work, heal, save, etc.
i. Jesus was limited in His earthly body. He could only be at one place at one time. But now as Spirit He can be anywhere at any time to work, heal, save, etc.
D. The word baptize usually means to immerse but here it has the meaning of “uniting with.”
D. The word baptize usually means to immerse but here it has the meaning of “uniting with.”
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1. Here again, we see the Body of Christ. In the Book of Acts we see Jesus working through His body, the Church.
1. Here again, we see the Body of Christ. In the Book of Acts we see Jesus working through His body, the Church.
2. Yes, we who have been baptized with water in the Name of Jesus and have been baptized with the Holy Ghost—have become the Church of Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ.
2. Yes, we who have been baptized with water in the Name of Jesus and have been baptized with the Holy Ghost—have become the Church of Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
3. Note: What Jesus was interested in, at that moment, was for them to be filled with the Holy Ghost and become witnesses—soul winners.
3. Note: What Jesus was interested in, at that moment, was for them to be filled with the Holy Ghost and become witnesses—soul winners.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
i. Power is promised after they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
i. Power is promised after they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
ii. It is interesting to note that not one miracle or healing is recorded on the Day of Pentecost.
ii. It is interesting to note that not one miracle or healing is recorded on the Day of Pentecost.
iii. But in Chapter 3 we have the first recorded healing. After they received the Holy Ghost.
iii. But in Chapter 3 we have the first recorded healing. After they received the Holy Ghost.
iv. Power. This was the energy communicated by Jesus to His disciples. Now they could also heal and work miracles.
iv. Power. This was the energy communicated by Jesus to His disciples. Now they could also heal and work miracles.
III. Witnesses.
III. Witnesses.
A. We are to be His witnesses - EVERYWHERE!
A. We are to be His witnesses - EVERYWHERE!
1. Jerusalem—Jews. (Jerusalem was a city in Judaea.)
1. Jerusalem—Jews. (Jerusalem was a city in Judaea.)
2. Judaea—Jews.
2. Judaea—Jews.
3. Samaria—The Samaritans were part Jews and part Gentile.
3. Samaria—The Samaritans were part Jews and part Gentile.
4. The uttermost part of the earth—The Gentiles.
4. The uttermost part of the earth—The Gentiles.
i. The disciples were to spread the gospel into the entire world.
i. The disciples were to spread the gospel into the entire world.
B. The word “Witnesses” has been translated by some—“Martyrs.” They become witnesses of the Truth even with their lives.
B. The word “Witnesses” has been translated by some—“Martyrs.” They become witnesses of the Truth even with their lives.
1. It is interesting that before they receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost they were different men.
i. Ten disciples run from the trial of Jesus.
i. Ten disciples run from the trial of Jesus.
ii. Peter denies the Lord.
ii. Peter denies the Lord.
iii. And only John is at the Calvary when Jesus dies.
iii. And only John is at the Calvary when Jesus dies.
2. After the Baptism of the Holy Ghost—Peter becomes the spokesmen and they stand with him as he preaches.
2. After the Baptism of the Holy Ghost—Peter becomes the spokesmen and they stand with him as he preaches.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
C. A type and shadow of things we have yet to see!
C. A type and shadow of things we have yet to see!
1. Jesus goes into heaven.
1. Jesus goes into heaven.
2. He rose from the grave.
2. He rose from the grave.
3. He rises from the earth to go into heaven.
3. He rises from the earth to go into heaven.
4. What a picture of the rapture of the Church!
4. What a picture of the rapture of the Church!
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
i. Jesus ascended in the sight of His disciples.
i. Jesus ascended in the sight of His disciples.
ii. They did not see Jesus come out of the grave, but they did witness His ascension.
ii. They did not see Jesus come out of the grave, but they did witness His ascension.
iii. He vanished out of their sight. Into a cloud. The cloud received Him.
iii. He vanished out of their sight. Into a cloud. The cloud received Him.
D. The promise of Christ’s return.
D. The promise of Christ’s return.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.