Acts: Introduction
Book of Acts: Deer Creek • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Let me tell you about it
Let me tell you about it
Did you ever have to do a research paper, or a research project? (expand on this)
Luke did, it would seem he was commission to research Jesus and he ended up writing 27% of the N.T. (word wise that is).
Embarking on a journey that is vital for the church today, as it was vital for the church then.
Without the book of Acts we would not have the history of the early church (about 30 years of history).
Without the book of Acts we would not have the ascension of Christ or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Without the book of Acts we would not have how Saul of Tarsus became the Apostle Paul; nor how the gospel came to the Gentiles.
Acts is a history book, covering, not moment by moment, but many critical events of the early church.
If you are passionate about something you want to share it with people and the book of Luke the precursor to the book of Acts make Luke passionate about Jesus for him to continue to write and to tell about the works going on since Jesus.
Tonight we start this journey but it is only fair to set the stage for it historically first.
Author
Author
You may say it is Luke, but it does not identify him as the writer. Only way to link Luke to it is
1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,
So then we look at
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
Still he is unnamed, but early christian writers, historians all agree that it was Luke the physician was the writer.
Little is said about Luke in the N.T. (oh we may say alot, but the N.T. does not)
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
So from this mention we know he is a physician and that he travelled with Paul
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
So a doctor who travelled with Paul, more than likely treated Paul’s ailment (thorn in the flesh)
We can tell he was, or can deduce, he was a Gentile from Col4:11-14 where Paul is speaking of Gentiles who were helpful to him and travelled with Him.
It was common for physicians at that time to be slaves, it is possible that Luke was a slave to Theophilus and was commission to go investigate this “Jesus” he had heard about.
Luke is very detailed for someone who was not a witness, there is no mention of Luke in the gospels so we have no information that he knew, saw, was a witness of Jesus at all. If he was he would have mentioned it in the gospel by some “we” statements or “I” statements, but only in Acts does he add some “we” statements inferring to Paul.
Recipient of the letter(s)
Recipient of the letter(s)
No questions on this one Theophilus
1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,
3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
Name Theophilus means: loved of God
There are several views when it comes to Theophilus.
This is a general name, not to a particular person because would put person at risk, hence the name loved by God.
Theophilus is a person, and because of the “most excellent” which is a term only used for high government officials
Between Luke and Acts, the “most excellent” title was dropped, the relationship between Luke and Theophilus may have changed and Acts was Luke giving Jesus and history to Theophilus
So now that brings us to the next point. Why?
The Purpose of the Letter
The Purpose of the Letter
We know that the purpose of Luke was to confirm what Theophilus was previously taught
4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
According to ISBE (international Standard Bible encyclopedia) there is evidence that Luke composed the book of Luke to prove that neither Jesus nor his followers were politically dangerous to the Roman government.
As for book of Acts.
It tells us
1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,
He is going to continue. Now here is another theory that Theophilus was a magistrate who heard Paul’s case in Rome and the book of Acts is a part of the legal brief for Paul and on Paul’s behalf since Luke already knew Theophilus. That too is noted in the ISBE.
Now interesting fact, when Acts ends Paul is in prison, but we don’t know the outcome. It is safe to assume that the writing of Acts was prior to the disposition of Paul’s case
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
Luke’s purpose was to inform Theophilus after he investigated Jesus what he found out and the history, growth of the early church.
With the dropping of the “most excellent” in the book of Acts it is possible that Theophilus had responded to the gospel for a christian would not accept a title of “most excellent.” Christians do not use honorific titles
8 “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
So the heart of the letter: It’s value
So the heart of the letter: It’s value
In Luke’s gospel it is the most historical in chronological order of the 4 gospels and is widely used to introduce people to the Good News, the Gospel.
3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
Luke wanted to make sure he had it historically correct
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
His attention to details there show us he was educated and was thorough .
Luke in acts shows many conversions and is a great evangelistic tool for us today to show the path to becoming a Christian
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
There are many conversions in the book of Acts.
Act2 - 3000 added to the church
Act8 - Samaritans/ Ethiopian Eunuch
Act9 - Saul
Act10 - Cornelius
Act13 - Proconsul and the Gentiles
Act16 - Lydia as well as the Jailer
Act17 - Dionysisus and Damarius
Act18 - Apollo’s
You can clearly see the methods used for evangelism in the early church
We should have assurance by our study of the book of Acts of our own conversion and salvation. Did we respond to the Gospel in like manner as they did?
It’s value is it gives us the history, the growth, the organization and worship in the early church.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
What they were devoted to
23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
What they did. It is hard to believe that many have drifted away from what what established then.
So in Conclusion.
So in Conclusion.
If you like history you will enjoy this journey in book of Acts
If you like to know about evangelism; you will enjoy the journey
If you like drama, you will enjoy the journey
If you like to learn, you will enjoy the journey
Think about this if you read the book of Acts, study the book of Acts you have read, studied over 25% of the N.T.
You can know for certain the things you have been instructed (see Lk1:1) and you can continue in your life today.
So in closing a question (invitation)
Do you follow the things you have been instructed
Are you devoted to the things you were instructed