Acts - The Unfinished Work

Here is a fully cleaned-up and structured version of your "Unfinished Work Part 1 & 2" Bible study notes on the Book of Acts, clearly divided into Student and Teacher sections, with corrected grammar, punctuation, formatting, and theological clarity:

Student

Unfinished Work – Parts 1 & 2

Introduction to the Book of Acts

"The Acts of the Apostles" is the second volume of a two-part work. The first volume is the Gospel of Luke. — Luke records what Jesus began to do and teach. — Acts records what Jesus continues to do and teach through the Holy Spirit and the apostles.

Together, Luke and Acts make up about one-third of the New Testament. Without Acts, we would know almost nothing about the early Church. If we lost a Gospel or an epistle, we’d be missing important doctrine—but if we lost Acts, we’d lose the entire historical bridge between Jesus’s resurrection and the Church’s expansion.

The book is traditionally called "The Acts of the Apostles", but it is also known as "The Acts of the Holy Spirit". — Chapters 1–12 focus primarily on Peter, Stephen, Philip, Barnabas, and James. — Chapters 13–28 focus on Paul.

Authorship

The repeated use of "we" and "us" throughout the book shows that the author was a close companion of Paul—Luke, the physician.

Examples of medical detail:

Acts 1:3 – "He showed Himself… with many convincing proofs…"

Acts 9:18 – "...something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes…"

Acts 9:33 – Aeneas, a paralytic, bedridden for eight years

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14): "Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings."

Why Is Acts Important?

It records the spread of Christianity—from Pentecost to Paul preaching in Rome, the capital of the known world.

It captures a 30-year transition from a Jewish movement to a global Church with Gentile inclusion.

It introduces foundational doctrines:

The Holy Spirit — Acts 1:8

The Kingdom of God — Acts 3:21

Church Leadership (Elders) — Acts 11:30

Gentile Salvation — Acts 15:14

4. It reveals principles for Church life—leadership, missions, fellowship, boldness.

5. Archaeology affirms its accuracy—Luke's historical precision is consistently confirmed.

Luke’s Purpose in Writing

In Luke 1:1–4, the author explains his purpose: "I myself have carefully investigated everything… to write an orderly account… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."

Theophilus (meaning "friend of God") was likely a Roman official or well-educated Gentile believer seeking assurance about Jesus and the early Church.

Acts 1:1–8 — The Mission Field

Theophilus may have requested more information about Jesus and the birth of the Church.

Luke shows that Jesus’ first command was to be witnesses (Luke 24:48–49).

Jesus instructs the apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to witness after His ascension.

The Holy Spirit’s coming is essential. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came and went. But now, in John 14:17, Jesus promises that the Spirit will dwell in believers. Every Christian has the Spirit—without Him, living the Christian life is impossible. 5–7. The disciples were still expecting an earthly kingdom. Jesus redirects them: “It’s not for you to know the times…”

Their focus is to be witnesses—locally (Jerusalem), regionally (Judea & Samaria), and globally (to the ends of the earth).

Acts 1:9–11 — The Ascension

Jesus ascended, surrounded by a cloud of glory (the Shekinah). Two angels confirm: “He will return the same way you saw Him go.”

Teacher

Unfinished Work – Parts 1 & 2

The Book of Acts reveals powerful principles God used in the early Church—many of which still guide us today. It outlines how God builds His Church, calls missionaries, and uses ordinary people to carry out His extraordinary plan.

Timeframe and Focus

— Written by Luke (Gentile doctor and close friend of Paul) — Covers A.D. 30–62 — From the Church’s beginning in Jerusalem to its expansion across the Roman Empire, ending in Rome

Luke’s Intentions

Luke commends the Christian life to Roman authorities. He wants to: — Show that Christians are law-abiding citizens — Prove that Roman officials respected Christians

Acts 13:7 — Sergius Paulus becomes a believer

Acts 16:35; 18:12; 19:31 — Roman attitudes were often favorable

Luke also demonstrates that Christianity is not just for Jews: — Gentiles are not second-class believers. — Acts 15 — Peter is astonished: “The same thing happened to the Gentiles!”

Examples of Gentile Ministry:

Philip preaches to Gentiles

Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10)

Antioch believers reach out

Paul’s missionary journeys

Acts 15 — Church affirms equality of Jews and Gentiles in Christ

Main Theme: Acts 1:8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..." This verse outlines the book:

Jerusalem

Judea

Samaria

The ends of the earth (Rome)

Outline of the Book of Acts

PassageFocus1:1–6:7 Church begins in Jerusalem — Peter preaches, Pentecost, summary: "The word of God spread…"

6:8–9:31 Persecution leads to spread in Judea & Samaria — Stephen is martyred

9:32–12:24 Paul's conversion, Gentile outreach in Antioch — believers first called “Christians”

12:25–16:5 Asia Minor mission — Paul’s first preaching tour

16:6–19:20 Expansion to Ephesus and Corinth — "The word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power"

19:21–28:31 Paul in Rome — still preaching the kingdom boldly and without hindrance

Theological Emphasis: Christ Revealed by the Spirit

— Jesus is no longer revealed in the flesh but through the power of the Holy Spirit — The Church is now His living witness to the world

Six Things Jesus Did Before Departing (Acts 1:1–11)

1. Proper Message (v.1)

Jesus taught His followers with both words and actions. — Training matters—truth must be lived, not just learned — John 15:16: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you...”

2. Proper Manifestation (v.3)

Jesus showed Himself alive with many proofs over 40 days. — Resurrection confirmed their faith — Watergate example: Even powerful men couldn’t keep a secret for 3 weeks. Yet the apostles gave their lives—because they had seen Him.

3. Proper Power (vv.4–5)

Jesus told them to wait—they were not to act in their own strength. — Romans 8:9: If you do not have the Spirit, you do not belong to Christ.

4. Proper Mystery (vv.6–7)

The apostles asked, “Are you restoring the kingdom now?” — They didn’t yet understand the Church Age. — Jesus affirmed the coming kingdom but said, “It’s not for you to know when.”

5. Proper Mission (v.8)

“You shall be My witnesses...” — Witness = martyr (Greek: martureō) — You don’t choose to be a witness—you are one. The question is: are you a faithful one?

6. Proper Motive (vv.9–11)

Jesus ascended and will return. — Motivation to serve: He is coming again. — Not another “Jesus,” but the same risen, glorified Lord.