Acts

Introduction: ?? Today we begin a new series, with the goal of teaching through the book of Acts. Turn there with my in your copy of God’s word as we start by reading the first 11 verses.

Read: Acts 1:1-11

Prayer.

I want to begin our study in Acts with an introduction and overview. Start by observing some details about authorship. The first point to notice is that the book of Acts was revealed by God.

Authorship

1. Revealed by God. This truth helps us understand the doctrine of Biblical inspiration. Turn to II Timothy 3:16 & II Peter 1:16-21 (Read)

2 Peter 1:16–21 ESV

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Point: Luke, the human author, was carried along by the Holy Spirit to record the very words that were revealed to him. This truth guarantees that the ultimate authority for the words we are studying are from God. God is the ultimate source of authorship. However, the book of Acts was recieved through Luke.

2. Received through Luke. One of the criteria for recognizing and affirming documents as New Testament Scripture is that it had to be written by or directly influenced by an eyewitness apostle. Luke himself was not an apostle, but he served right alongside Paul and others. For example see Luke 1:1-4

Luke 1:1–4 ESV

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Luke’s gospel and the book of Acts are recognized as authoritative because of his connection with the apostles.

3. (see rendering of his pic) Who was Luke? A quick biography

a. A co worker with apostle Paul- Phlm 24 , 2 Tim 4:11

2 Timothy 4:11 ESV

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

Philemon 24 ESV

and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

b. Physician - Col 4:14

Colossians 4:14 ESV

Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

c. Gentile -Col 4:11

Colossians 4:11 ESV

and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

d. Traveled with Paul as we will see when Luke uses the first person plural for of “we”.- Acts 16:11, 20:7, 21:1, 27:1

Acts 27:1 (ESV)

And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.

Transition: Now, we have investigated the authorship of Acts, but why did Luke write this book?

Purpose

As we have already heard from 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

That is the general intent of all Scripture… but within each book and letter throughout the 66 books of the Bible, each author was writing with a specific purpose. For example, when Luke 1:4 introduces his gospel and the book of Acts to his friend Theophilus, he says.. “it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, (4) that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Then, in the book of Acts he continues where he left off and tells Theophilus the rest of the story. With the same detailed accuracy and focus , and for the same purpose, he is recording the history of the church. He is recording our history.

Transition: Lord willing, next week, we will begin to dig through the details of his introduction… but for the remainder of our time this morning I want to share with you three specific areas that Acts will offer us “certainty of the things we have been taught.” Basically asking… what truths have we been taught from the Scripture that Acts will give us certainty in?

1. Certainty in God.

The Father’s Sovereign plan being fulfilled. As seen in the repeated emphasis of Old testament quotes throughout Acts.

The Son’s active rule and reign. As ascended on high, at right hand of God, “building His church.” Matthew 16:18

The promised Holy Spirit empowering the advancement of Christ's kingdom through preaching the gospel, establishing local churches, and edifying the believers.

Transition: The certainty that our Triune God is at work for His glory and the good of His people will give us peace, conviction, and hope. He will dispel our doubts and fears and renew our faith by showcasing His Acts. God’s activity does not end at Acts chapter 28. No, today, among those who make up the local body of Hillcrest, we are experiencing the sovereign plan of God the Father being established through the rule and reign of Jesus the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit! It is good for us to be reminded of this! Studying this truth again will increase our trust in our great and faithful God! God’s word through the book of Acts will grant us certainty in God, but secondly....

2. Certainty in the Gospel

The gospel is repeatedly proclaimed throughout Acts. The truths about the atoning death of Jesus, The eye witness of His resurrection, are explained multiple times. There are recorded sermons, conversations, and explanations that are all meant to clarify how a person can have their sins totally forgiven and be in a right relationship with God. Crowds and Kings are called upon to repent and believe the gospel.

One major themes that we will be unpacking throughout our study is the establishment of Christ's kingdom. Acts begins with Jesus preaching the kingdom, and ends with apostle Paul preaching the kingdom. The expansion of Jesus’ kingdom is happening now in preparation for the eternal rule and reign of Christ when He returns.

As we have been granted the privileged to be a part of that kingdom work. The clarity of the gospel in Acts will inevitably renew our boldness. Seeing afresh what our Triune God accomplishes through a people called out to live for His glory will give us confidence to do the same.

Stay ready and alert dear one’s. Because, gospel certainty emboldens evangelism. The Lord will encourage and equip us to share good news with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family. Do not be surprised, or resist, when the Holy Spirit begins to redirect our steps to expand his church. No doubt, there are some right now, that Jesus will convince to expand His church to a place in the world where a gospel witness is needed. Which takes us to our third point of certainty...

3. Certainty in our Identity.

One of the key identifying factors of Jesus’ church, is that we are living right now in relationship to Jesus’ first coming to earth to save us from the penalty and power of our sins, and His coming again to save us from the very presence of sin. We live in the tension of His kingdom that has come, and His kingdom that is coming. Which means, those who belong to Christ and one another live as servants to the King. We are here to love Him and love His people. We are here to know Him and make Him known. We need to live now in light of His soon return. We need to be the people He has called us to be.

Since the church was born, in Acts chapter 2, there has always been a temptation for a heavy fog to settle over her and disorient the bride of Christ from knowing her true identity. In recent years, that smog has rolled through the church in the form of false teaching, false ambitions, false love, and false idols. Time and trinkets have lured Jesus’ church into an apathetic slumber. Often times we fit the mold of Paul’s warning in 2 Tim. 3:5 “having the appearance of godliness but deny its power.” Church, we desperately need certainty from the book of Acts concerning our identity as the people of God.

Closing: We should expect, that as we are renewed in our hearts about who we are, we will be empowered to accomplish what we are meant to do. In other words, as we gain certainty about God, abut the gospel, and about our being in Christ, we will also gain certainty in what we should be doing for Christ. God help us not to confuse our doing with our being.