Introduction and foundation of Acts: You can count on the Word.
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Introduction
Introduction
Since you have been saved have you noticed any life changes. I recall A friend of mine in Texas. He really started growing in his Christian life. When I first met him, he had come out to play basketball at church a couple of times. Being in the Bible belt of the South he had heard about Jesus often as a child in church. One day though he called me up and asked to be picked up from some friends he was visiting an hour from home. He knew he needed to get away from a place of temptation. There were things going on he knew were not right. Months later he told me the day was a pivotal day for him and the path of his life. Although brought up with a belief in God and although he had made a profession of faith as child, he had not been living for Jesus.
After that day he started reading his Bible and meeting with me weekly to study the Bible. He started coming faithfully to church. He grew in his knowledge of the Word and his desire to serve as he began helping out and being a leader for good at the basketball night, and then helping with the youth at our church. He was a sponge soaking up the Word.
The Monday night basketball ministry was often a challenge because a few of the guys had short fuses, and I was often the only church member there. They’d get bent out of shape about a foul or someone trash talking them. Although I tried to encourage peaceful interactions, frankly there were times the guys got quite mad. It was here my friend was a huge help. I saw Jesus working in Him. One night one of the players really got in the face of my friend. Instead of getting involved with his fists he backed away and diffused the heated situation. He told me afterwards rather excited, God is changing me, before I started coming to church I would have been in a fight. He was rather excited, how Jesus was changing him from an angry person to being a peacemaker.
The book of Acts is a book of God changing things as well. We move from the earthly ministry of Christ to the ministry of Christ through His church. Acts is a bridge from the earthly ministry of Christ to Christ working through the church. It provides us a bridge to understand how we get from the Gospels and a small local movement in Judea and Galilee of followers of Christ to an explosive growth of Christianity throughout the Roman empire. Without the book of Acts, we’d be scratching our heads about the Epistles of Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and so on. The Gospels give us the background for understanding Acts, and Acts gives us the background for understanding the rest of the New Testament. It is the history book of the explosive growth of the first century church.
This morning I am excited to introduce our Series on the book of Acts. Over the next couple years I will preach and teach through this book. This morning you will be challenged that you have a Bible and God you can trust. In the first five verses of Acts we see Luke giving this background for the book of Acts.
Acts 1:1–5 “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 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: 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: 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. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
D. Luke lays out the reasoning for Acts anticipating God’s Work in His Church.
P. We as God’s people also ought to anticipate God working in our local church.
T. Why can we anticipate God working in our little church here in Lake? We have the Jesus teachings and the effects of the promise of the Spirit baptism of the first century church making ripple effects into the 21st century.
1. We have a sure word. Acts 1:1-3
1. We have a sure word. Acts 1:1-3
Acts 1:1–3 “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 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: 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:”
Explain
The former treatise is the first of Luke’s writings. We know it as the Gospel of Luke. The third book in the New Testament.
The critics and liberal scholars have tried to tear apart Luke’s work in the Gospel and book of Acts as unreliable. However, both liberal and conservative scholars alike have been forced to admit Luke is very accurate as a historian. Time and and again the critics said, Oh look Luke is wrong, but later archeology proves he was right all long. Lee Strobel in his book case for Christ mentions Lysanius tetrarch of Abilene during the rule of Tiberius the critics said he did not exist but later found an inscription with his name, 2) the term politarch was found to be true as well as an office in Thessalonica and has been found 35 places when at first it was considered non-existent and made up, 3) Jericho had four locations in Jesus’ day which allows Jesus to both be arriving in Jericho in one Gospel account and arriving in others much like we might go from one part of suburban Detroit to another.
If Luke is considered first rate in historical details, why not the spiritual details of Christ’s resurrection too? My friend we have a Bible we can trust. Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Psalm 12:6–7 “The words of the Lord are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
Theophilus - means friend of God. Some believe he may have been a pratron to Luke helping finance his work of writing. Whatever the case we know he loved God and wanted to now the certainty of the words he had been taught. Luke 1:4 “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.”
I made of all that Jesus began to do and teach - Luke was a gentile believer. A non-jew. How then did Luke get to know the Gospel accounts in greater detail than any of the other Gospel writers tell?
He interviewed the witness of Christ’s life. It is very possible he interviewed Jesus’ earthly mother Mary, the apostles, and those who heard him.
When? Probably was Paul’s companion. Some suggest Luke’s account may have been an apology to show the innocence of Paul and how that Christianity was a spiritual kingdom and not a political threat to Rome. Luke is believed to have been with Paul during his imprisonments in Caeserea and Rome and accompanied him on parts of his missionary journeys. From there he could have interviewed the Christians of those early churches and found out details necessary to make the exceptionally accurate historical account he wrote. Also, being a doctor he necessarily had attention for detail.
What is also interesting is that the “do” and “teach” are present active infinitives. That means he is still doing and teaching through his Word today and we are his means of doing his work. However, as we learned last week the right kind of witness is a servant, selfless, and separate from sin and this will happen as we submit to obey the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives.
The scope of Luke’s Gospel is the earthly ministry of Christ “From the beginning until his ascension. (Acts 1:1-2) Now Luke is telling Theophilus I have given you a good record of Jesus ministry on earth. What are some of those things.
We have the background of John the Baptist as Christ’s forerunner. No other Gospel shares about John’s birth. He is the clear fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3 “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
The birth of Christ and childhood that is not in any of the other Gospels.
Christ earthly ministry is described in great detail and one commentator mentions 40% of its material is not in the other Gospels.
Christ’s passion is described as the spotless Lamb of God dies and sheds his blood on the cross for sins he did not commit, so that he might be the Savior of the world. 1 John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
His resurrection.
His infallible proofs.
The word infallible is only found here in the Bible. It goes beyond being a mere witness of an event to actually touching and handling the evidence. It’s one thing to watch a chef make food on your favorite cooking show, it is another thing to help the chef, smell the delicious aromas, and taste the food.
He was touched and handled.
1 John 1:1–2 describes it this way “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”
John 20:27 “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.”
He ate food proving he was not a spirit. Luke 24:38–42 “And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.”
Forty days of continued ministry.
Accounts for the Galilean ministry in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark.
Keener in his background commentary comments the Greeks also wanted eyewitness accounts of their false gods. However, their claims were clearly not physical and were not over a prolonged period.
Luke tells us during the forty days Jesus gave them further instruction/commands and teaching on the kingdom of God. Luke 24:45 “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
Note: The kingdom of God will one day come to be with us on earth. The Jewish Leaders rejected the Gospel of the Kingdom, bringing about the mystery of the church age. Jesus will one day come to rule and reign on the earth. Acts 1:11 “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.” There will be a rapture of the church and then the wrath of God will be poured upon the world.
The Fulfillment: Revelation 19:11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Jesus did this through his multiple post-resurrection appearances recorded in the Gospels.
And lastly, the ascension of Jesus.
Why did Luke need to write the book of Acts:
Obviously God wanted us to have a written work of the first century church today. But what were Luke’s reasons.
Perhaps to provide a legal record of consistent precedents in favor of the early Christians. In every Roman Court Paul is found not guilty. Some have even thought it was written to be Paul’s legal defense.
An apologetic reasons would be seen in the sermons and defenses made throughout the book. These confronted the Jewish people, Roman courts, Asian farmers, merchants like Lydia, and others from all stations of life. People of all classes and rank trust Christ. Paul, former persecutor of the church and Jew, stated, Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Biblically, the reason why Acts was written I believe is found in Acts 1:8 “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 (1-7), and in Samaria (8), and unto the uttermost part of the earth.(10-28)” The book of Acts is witness of how Jesus moved from earthly ministry to working through local Bible believing churches from heaven. Luke describes how the Gospel spread in Jerusalem and Judea, into Samaria, and then to the uttermost parts of the world.
Argue
Why would someone believe the Gospel anyways if I gave it to them? I am not much of a talker. Moses said, he wasn’t eloquent either, yet God used him mightily.
Well I think the Bible is inaccurate and outdated. The list of inaccuracies critics have from the Bible keeps getting shorter and shorter. The problem is not inaccuracy. The problem is our sinful hearts. We are not willing and do not want to submit to God’s authority in our lives.
Illustrate
Apply
The critics have sought to tear apart Luke’s writings of Luke and Acts and have found out what he wrote was true. Lee Strobel and others have tried to prove the Bible wrong and instead have come to trust Christ as Savior. My friend you can trust your Bible. It is the Word of God.
Thank the Lord Jesus for the record of His Word which gives us light. Psalm 119:105 “NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.”
God cares about the nitty gritty details. He cares for you too. What are you going through my friend. If God cared that Luke put some obscure word about Roman government don’t you think he takes thought of you, whom he sent his Son to die for.
Peter wrote concerning the Bible. 2 Peter 1:19–21 “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Have you believed and received Jesus Christ as your Savior. Repent and turn from your sin against a Holy God and He will be your Savior.
2. We have an instructive Word.
2. We have an instructive Word.
Explain
Jesus gave commandments
Jesus was giving the marching orders for what they were to do when he left.
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
But I want you to note how he did it.
while being assembled with them. This gives us the contextual setting.
The word literally could be taken as eat salt together with, it showed close relationship. It depicts table fellowship. Jesus sat down to fellowship and teach his disciples what they needed to know for the commission he would give them.
Jesus didn’t speak on a loud speaker to from his heavenly office. He made time and sat down with them to teach. What a lesson here is for us. That if we will meaningfully pass our faith down, we need to personally sit down with people and talk to them about the Lord.
The good work of hospitality is so important to this. Showing hospitality is directly mentioned four times in the New Testament. Hospitality is being friendly to strangers.
Twice it is used as a requirement of the pastoral office.
1 Timothy 3:2 “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
Titus 1:8 “But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”
Twice it is commanded of all Christians
Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
1 Peter 4:9 “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
When is the last time you showed Christian hospitality to someone?
When you have shown hospitality did you notice any bonding.
While assembled Jesus gave two specific commands: Depart not and Wait
Don’t depart from Jerusalem
Why does he say that when he told them in the other Gospel’s to go?
They needed to be patient for God to give the green light. They were without the Holy Spirit. John 16:7 “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.”
In Acts 2 we will see the Holy Spirit come.
Wait for the promise of the Father.
John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
The Spirit was going to equip for the task of witnessing.
Acts 1:8 “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.”
This was a one time event upon the apostles. It happened to the Samaritans and Gentiles each once as well in Acts 8 and 10 respectively to show the Jews that God intended to include Gentiles as equals in the church.
The Charismatic movement teaches a second and/or third blessings. We do not believe that and historically that has been the case through church history.
It wasn’t until the last century that the Charismatic movement popularized the idea of Spirit Baptism as a mark of salvation and secondary work. The baptism of the Spirit and speaking in tongues was a sign to unbelieving Jews of God’s judgment for their rejection of Christ Jesus.
Much more could be said, We do not believe in spirit baptism. We believe in the Spirit’s indwelling that happens when one professes Christ as Savior.
Luke 24:49 “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.”
Argue
Why are these commands in the Bible if we don’t have to obey them? It is a historical record of the obedience the disciples had to Jesus.
I also think that what the disciples did by having a long prayer meeting while waiting for God’s direction is something we also should do when seeking direction from God.
Illustrate:
Church attendance.
Apply
Fathers and mothers may we take time to table fellowship with our children and grandchildren from the Word of God. We are to be teaching our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4) Taking time to have family devotions after a meal is critical to your child’s spiritual wellbeing.
Christians need fellowship together. The Men’s Bible Study provides a connection with other men in our church and opportunity to other to fellowship with us around food and the word of God. It is a special time we all enjoy and are challenged.
Make opportunities to spend time sharing the Lord with others. i.e. a club, bus,
The practice of waiting is often something God calls upon us to do.
Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.”
Many times wer are tempted to not wait and jump to action like King Saul when Samuel didn’t show up. He disobeyed the Lord.
When we are unsure of what to do we need to keep close to Him. Psalm 37:34 “Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, And he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.”
Be faithful to do right. Follow the instructions of God’s book.
What instructions has God been giving you through His Word? Have you been reading his Word or listening to it. Meditate on those passages and Bible stories if it is difficult to read and hear. Seek the Lord and be mindful sometimes we need to be still and commune with him before rushing into our days. Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
God worked a change in my friends life through His Word and the Holy Spirit’s working in his life. What changes has the Holy Spirit worked in you through the Word.
I challenge you to be a student of the Word this year. Read it and live it in your life. Make time to spend with your children in the Word and unsaved friends.
Perhaps you do not know Christ, Jesus is willing to save you.