Acts

Resource Recommendations: Books: An Introduction to the New Testament by D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo An Introduction to the Old Testament by Temper Longman III and Raymond B. Dillard How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon Fee & Douglas Stewart

Podcast: Spoken Gospel w/ David & Seth

Connect with one of the pastors to evaluate before presenting.

Introduction:

Include the role of the book in your life. This could be extensive or it could be minimal until preparing for this lesson. Succinctly state how this book plays a unique role in the Bible and in our lives. Be sure to include a summarizing sentence of the Book in the intro.

Who in here likes a good sequel?

Well, today we are looking at the sequel to the Gospel of Luke, The book of Acts.

The book of Acts is also an origin story…

Chad Haygood writes, “Beginnings are important moments. They often set the direction, define the purpose, and lay the foundation for what is to come. In Scripture, we know that the first three chapters of Genesis inform the direction of everything that proceeds from them. In those first chapters we learn of creation, the fall of man, and the promise of redemption. All that follows after those chapters is informed by what is revealed to us at the beginning. In the book of Acts, we learn of the beginning of the New Testament church. Here we see that God established a pattern for the church at its inception. He led the church into practices that foster its growth and maturity. From these practices we learn about our roots.”

That being said, Luke, the companion of the Apostle Paul wrote Luke and Acts. He was a gentile and a physician and dedicated himself to compiling eye witnesses to attest to the life and ministry of Jesus as well as early church history.

So the gospel of Luke recounts Jesus’ life death and resurrection. And Acts picks up where the gospel left off.

When I got back from the pastor’s college, we spent a year in the book of Acts and the heart behind doing this was to reestablish a fresh vision of what God was and still is calling us to as a church.

The book of acts is the history of Jesus, after His resurrection and ascension, establishing His Church by the Spirit of God through the people of God in all the world.

I love how Dr. Carson and Dr. Moo put it in their Intro to NT:

They write, “Luke conducts the reader on a whirlwind tour of three decades of church history. We visit Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Syria, Cyprus, many cities in Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece, and, finally, Rome. We witness everything from preaching and miracles to jailbreaks and shipwrecks. And, while many individuals accompany us on our tour, two are rather constant companions: Peter, who is often with us in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria; and Paul, who is our almost constant companion from Syria to Rome.”

If you are taking notes, a summarizing sentence for the book ,

“The book of Acts is the Acts of the Holy Spirit establishing and expanding Christ’s church in all the world.”

I. CONTEXT

Now, we saw last week that Luke is the only gospel writer that had two volumes.

As far as the genre of writing, the book of Acts can be considered either a theological biography of Jesus’s continued ministry OR a theological and historical narrative.

It is the historical record of the early church arranged to put on display God and His work in the world.

With that in mind, Knowing the genre helps us interpret the Scriptures. Because different types of literature has different rules of interpretation.

For Example: When we read a proverb, we must not read it as promises but rather as principles.

As far as interpreting narratives, one Christian writes,“Narratives are not morality tales, but real stories about real people making real decisions. As such, they’re not necessarily intended to prescribe a pattern for our actions. But they are written for our instruction, showing us truth and helping us live in response to it.” This is like when you ask advice on how a person dealt with a particular situation.

For example: You may ask me how I have handled a particular disagreement with my wife in the past. And this is good. This actually needs to happen more often. However, there’s a caveat. Every situation and relationship is different. My wife is not your wife. My marriage is not your marriage. Each situation and relationship requires nuance if biblical wisdom is a priority. Biblical principles do not change but their application in circumstances and relationship do. Case in point, the way I handle a particular disagreement with my wife will look different based on her temperment, needs and background.

Additionally, if you seek advice about your marriage that is filled with hurt and betrayal, you will need to handle that situation differently than in a healthy scenario.

I say all that to say, when reading a historical narrative, look for biblical principles applied. Certainly seek to model your life after those you observe faithfully following Christ. Just don’t read narratives for exact formulas for your specific situation. Look for biblical principles applied.

Said another way, We are to read narratives primarily as descriptive while being sensitive to the times where it is universally prescriptive.

Make sense?

So Acts is a narrative, and we need to read it as such. With that being the case, an interesting factoid about Acts is that in the Gospel of Luke Jesus’ ministry moves toward and culminates in Jerusalem. Whereas, the book of Acts begins in Jerusalem and moves outward to the ends of the earth fulfilling the great commission.

Audience & Occasion

As far as the audience of the book: According to both prologues, Luke is writing to a man named Theophilus.

Again Dr. Carson and Dr. Moo helpfully write,

“Theophilus was probably Luke’s patron, the person who was putting up the money for the publication of Luke’s literary effort. But we learn, and can infer, almost nothing more about him from either book. Moreover, it is almost certain that Luke had a broader audience than one individual in mind. Just who made up Luke’s intended audience can be determined only after we have identified his purpose in writing.”

And if that be the case, we need to go back to Luke’s gospel prologue. He wrote,

“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 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.”

Here we see that Luke’s purpose was to instill confidence in the authenticity of Jesus and His work in the world.

There is a chance that Theopholis was skeptical. Doubting his faith. Or close to coming to Faith.

We also saw that Luke’s aim was to highlight Jesus’ compassion for the destitute… the weirdos… the outcasts of society…

What we see in the book of Acts is a historically reliable account of Christ establishing His church by His Spirit though His people proclaiming the gospel and planting churches in all the world, NOT just Jerusalem.

Next, let’s consider the books structure.

Chapters & Text Outline

There are 28 chapters in Acts.

The simplest way I have found to think about the book of Acts is in 2 parts;

1-12 with an emphasis on Peter’s leadership in establishing the church among the Jews and

13-28 with an emphasis on Paul’s leadership in establishing the church among the Gentiles.

There are more detailed outlines, but I have found this one to be most helpful.

Key Chapters

2, 9, 10, 13, 15

As far as themes. Let’s consider 5.

II. THEMES

What is or are the major theme(s) in the book?

The Role of the Holy Spirit and the Apostles

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

Apart from the Holy Spirit, the disciples would have remained in the upper room waiting. The church would not have been formed. The Gentiles would not have been included. And there would be no NT apart from the gospels.

Apart from the leadership of the Apostles, people would have been left to themselves to figure things out. But instead they were gifted with leaders set apart by the HS and by Christ himself.

The second theme I want us to consider is

The planting of churches wherever the gospel is preached.

Acts 2:41-42, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.”

Everywhere that Paul went, he preached the gospel and he planted churches. If he was run out of town before he could establish leaders and formalize a church, he would return regardless of the danger.

The third theme I want us to consider is

The Role of ordinary christians and persecution in the Church

Acts 2:44-47, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Acts 8:1-4, “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.” 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. The fourth theme I want us to consider is

The Role of Prayer in the early church

If you take notice throughout the book, prayer is a repeated theme. The book begins with the disciples in the upper room praying. The disciples pray for courage to witness for Christ. We see Stephen praying as he is killed because of his faith. The church at antioch were worshiping and praying when God set Paul and Baranabas apart from missionary work among the Gentiles. The sick and lost are prayed for. And I could go on.

The very last chapter records this, “7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.”

The final theme I want us to consider is

The Inclusion of the Gentiles

Paul’s Conversion — Acts 8

Peter’s Dream — Acts 10

Paul’s Commission — Acts 13

The Church United — Acts 15

Next let’s look at

III. Christ in the Book

What do we learn uniquely about Christ and His work in this book?

Christ Equips: Jesus sends the Holy Spirit

Christ Proclaimed: Jesus is preached

Christ Revealed: Jesus shows up to Paul

Christ Loves the Nations: Jesus’ heart for the nations is put on display

Christ Church Builder: Jesus establishes His church in the world

Christ Unrivaled: Jesus’ mission is unstoppable

Let turn lastly to four ways this book and its themes should uniquely shape our lives.

Conclusion:

How should this book and its themes uniquely shape our lives?

The book of Acts beckons us to depend on the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The book of Acts calls us to live a life that emphasizes the proclamation of the gospel and loving all people.

Acts 8:4 , Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

It was not just the apostles speaking the gospel. And the people continued sharing the good news despite people’s opposition to it.

The book of Acts calls us to devote our lives to Christ by devoting ourselves to the local church.

Acts 14:19-23, “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

The people of God were known for their love for Christ which fleshed itself in a local church.

The book of Acts calls us to expect persecution when we are faithful to Christ.

Acts 5:38-42, “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”

Jesus is so great that being persecuted for His name is an honor, and something NOT to be discouraged about. Of course, there is much persecution that takes place in a person’s life that is not persecution, but consequences for being a jerk or a hypocrite.

I will throw in a bonus way that the book of Acts uniquely shapes us. Acts provides the context for most of the letter written in the NT.

As we prepare to jump into small groups, let us finish by considering the last 2 verses of the book where we are told what Paul was doing even while in chains in Rome… Acts 28:30, “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

Small Group Discussion

Acts opens with Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit’s power for witness (Acts 1:8). In your own walk with Christ, where do you see yourself depending on the Spirit and where are you tempted to live in self-reliance? Can you share a recent time when God’s Spirit clearly strengthened you?

The early church devoted themselves to the apostles teachings, to fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayers. What commitments or pursuits in your life tend to pull your devotion away from Christ, His Word, and His church? Why do you think that is?

Those scattered by persecution “went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4), carrying Christ into ordinary places. How do you view your workplace or daily responsibilities as a setting for gospel witness? What challenges or opportunities do you face in honoring Christ where you work?

Acts highlights the inclusion of Gentiles and shows the church embracing those once considered outsiders. Who might be the “outsiders” in your community today, and how is God calling you to extend His love toward them? Share an experience when you either stepped toward or shrank back from such an opportunity.

In Acts 4:19–20, Peter and John declared, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” In our nation today, Christians often face pressure to stay silent about their faith. When have you felt the tension between speaking boldly about Christ and remaining quiet? How might God be calling you to bear witness publicly, even when it is uncomfortable?