New Testament: Book of Acts

Chapters 1-12

Tell me what you know about the Book of Acts?

Unified, 2 volume work by Luke

Gentile doctor

Travel companion with Paul

Book name: Acts of the Apostles

Gospel of Luke was the account of all the Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1) so the Book of Acts was the continuation of all he had began to do and teach.

By implication, if Luke was the beginning, Acts was the ending.

Perhaps a “better name” would be Acts of the Spirit.

Or simply: fulfilment

Acts is the fulfillment or completion of not only the the book of Luke …

Not only the Gospels…

But all of the Old Testament!

Introduction to Acts of the Apostles

Reminds the reader of Jesus teaching the Kingdom of God

Jesus restores God’s kingdom

Calling Israel to follow him

His assuming the thrown through his death burial and resurrection.

Acts 1:8 reminds us of the Promise of the Spirit.

Is 32, Eze 36, Joel 2

At the end of each Gospel I have made a statement - I wonder what Jesus said in the final 40 days on earth…

BUT we know he told them 2 basic things:

Go wait for power/fulfilment

Preach the gospel

We can do this because there is a new temple - ME and YOU

Jesus is exalted as the King of the World

Daniel 7 - He is established as the Son of Man.

Chapters 2: Fulfillment

Message is spreading throughout Jerusalem, then in chapters 8-12 Judea and Samaria, then in chapters 13-28 the rest of the world.

In Jerusalem, the disciples are waiting

And on the day of Pentecost something happens…

Why the day of Pentecost?

Also known as Shavuot - celebrating the giving of Law on Mt. Sinai which happens 50 days after the second day of Passover.

Passover, Law, Spirit

New law given, written on the tables of your heart!

Spirit manifests how? fire, wind and language

Fire: Old Testament pillar of fire, fire falling of sacrifice, fire fill the temple

Wind: breath of life in Gen. 2 with Adam creation

Language or tongues:

How did God divide men at the Tower of Babel?

He unifies man the same way on the Day of Pentecost/Shavout.

Chapters 3-5: Tail of Two Temples

Acts 2:46 the church is gathering in the Temple courts and house to house

Acts 3-4 Peter heals and preaches in the Temple, is arrested and tried - he would then preach that Jesus was the Messiah.

Acts 4-5 the church donates property take offerings to take care of the poor.

This was not just a random story but goes back to the Torah (Deut. 14-15) and should have been happening through the Temple but was not.

POINT: The new Temple (church) would do what the traditional Temple was not.

Chapter 6-8:3: Persecution

Church is multiplying and growing and new leaders are being developed.

First martyr, Stephen

Chapters 8-12: Judea and Samaria

This would send the church from Jerusalem to Judea and then Samaria.

This is how a Jewish, Jerusalem based group becomes a multi-ethnic family.

Philip goes to Samaria

Conversion of Saul of Tarsus

Peter preaches to Cornelius

Founding of the Church in Antioch

First missionaries sent out