Bible Overview: Acts
Notes
Transcript
Author: Luke
Author: Luke
Clearly the same author as the Gospel of Luke, and addressed to the same person, Theophilus.
Date: A.D. 60s
Date: A.D. 60s
CSB Study Bible: Notes Introduction to Acts
The book of Acts provides a glimpse into the first three decades of the early church (ca AD 30–63) as it spread and multiplied after the ascension of Jesus Christ. It is not a detailed or comprehensive history. Rather, it focuses on the role played by apostles such as Peter, who ministered primarily to Jews, and Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.
CSB Study Bible: Notes Circumstances of Writing
Although it is possible that Luke wrote at a later date, a time when Paul had been released, it is more plausible to think that he completed this book while Paul was still in prison. Otherwise he would have ended the book by telling about Paul’s release.
Purpose: to explain the spread of the Gospel to the world.
Purpose: to explain the spread of the Gospel to the world.
Acts picks up where Luke leaves off, showing us that the work of Jesus did not end with his ascension to heaven, but he continued his work building his church through the apostles and spreading it all over the world.
Acts complements the history of the Gospels by telling us some of the history of the early church and the spread of the gospel around the world.
It also gives us some of the background information for the letters of Paul to various churches and individuals.
Key Verse: Acts 1:8
Key Verse: Acts 1:8
(Outline of the book - both a command and a prophecy)
8 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.”
Tower of Babel vs. Pentecost
Tower of Babel vs. Pentecost
Common language vs. multiple languages
Unity in language and purpose vs. unity in faith despite language differences
The spread of people over the world vs. the spread of the Gospel to all the world
Confusion because of different languages vs. Unity despite language difference
Key difference: Dependence on human ability and wisdom vs. dependence on the Holy Spirit’s power
Key People
Key People
Peter - Apostle to the Jews
Stephen - Deacon who was stoned after preaching to the sanhedrin, Saul present
Philip - missionary to Samaria & Ethiopian eunuch
James - leader of the early church in Jerusalem
Saul / Paul - Apostle to the Gentiles
Themes & Key Passages
Themes & Key Passages
Power from the Holy Spirit
8 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.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
“Holy Spirit” or “Spirit” occurs 57 times
Birth and Growth of the Church
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Persecution
17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Peter & Paul
Though both Peter and Paul ministered to both Jews and Gentiles, Peter’s ministry was primarily to Jews, and Paul’s was primarily to Gentiles.
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
To the Jew first and also to the Greek
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.
46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
Transforming Power of the Gospel
20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”
26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
Application
Application
The Gospel is the power of God to everyone who believes; this was true in the early church, and it’s still true today.