Acts: Introduction

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Introduction:

Today we are starting a new series: in the Book of Acts

How many of you have read this book before?

What are some of your favorite parts?

Acts is a historical narrative of the early church—it is a story

Most scholars believe that it was written by Luke in a two-part story from Jesus’s birth to the first decades of the Early church

As we’ll read shortly—it picks up right after the resurrection of Jesus—and it records both the growth and trials of the early church

From Jerusalem—Judea—Samaria—Ends of the Earth

The Book starts in Jerusalem right after the resurrection

The Book ends with Paul imprisoned in Rome (in the belly of the beast)

And as we read—we’ll see that the church grew because of specific people—Peter, Paul, Barnabas—that brought the message of the Jesus all over the world

And if you are familiar with the NT Epistles—Acts gives the backstory to many of these Churches

Paul’s visits to Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, etc.

And I am super excited to jump into this book because we see God at work in this book—and it helps us to see how God is at work in our world today

The story of Acts is the story that we’ve inherited—The story we’ve taken on

And God is still at work in our world today

So today we’ll be in the first 12 verses of Acts—And as an introduction I want to talk about 3 things that Acts highlights here—and that will be picked up throughout our time in this book.

Outline:

Acts highlights our History and Tradition (v1-3)

Acts highlights God working with his People (v4-8)

Acts highlights Jesus on the Throne (v9-12)

Scripture Reading

Acts 1:1–12 CSB

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.

Our History and Tradition

You know when we actually sit down and think about it—it is pretty crazy that we call ourselves follower of Jesus

That over 2,000 years ago, this man Jesus was born in the backwater town of Nazareth—in the washed up kingdom of Israel (that was occupied and ruled by the Roman Empire)—walked this earth doing good to all—and died a criminals death on a cross—on the other side of the world—and here we still are—thousands of years later—following the way of this Jesus

“The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of how God transformed a small group of Jewish followers of Jesus of Nazareth into a worldwide, multiethnic, geographically diverse community of people who confessed this Jesus as the once crucified but now resurrected and enthroned king of the universe” — Joshua Jipp

Acts is the bridge from all of the OT and Gospels to our present lives

It is how the story of God and his people went global

How this message of Jesus spread across nations, cultures, ethnic groups, economic classes to bring hope and salvation to a hopeless world

Acts is the foundational story for the identity of the Church

This story tells us who we are—it reminds us of our heritage and tradition

Ex. Berkeley Orientation

We are born again into a new family

And this book is the start of the family history

And it all traces back to Jesus and his 12 disciples

As we read Acts—we are reminded that we are a part of a bigger story

And it’s not only to know and reflect on where we’ve come from

We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us

But it is also meant to inspire us to carry this story forward

To carry the baton in our generation—in our world

Each generation of Christians for thousands of years has taken this mantle upon them

To follow the ways of Jesus and lead others to him

And as we read Acts, we are propelled forward to fulfill the mission of Jesus in our world

Not just out there in all the world

But in our lives

Our families

Our teams

Our friend groups

Not only is Acts a Historical book—Acts is also a missional book—There is a mission that God’s people are invited to join

God Working with His People

The interaction Jesus has with his disciples in verses 4-8 is very interesting”

Acts 1:4–8 CSB

4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Are you restoring the kingdom at this time?

Is this the time that all things are made new?

The time? — You won’t know

Am I doing the restoration?

You will receive power—and be my witnesses

Do you see it?

Acts is all about God working through his people

The Gospels highlight Jesus’s life—his teachings, his actions, his character

Acts highlight the Life of Jesus in his followers—their teachings, their actions, their character

The Church has taken on the mission of Jesus as witnesses

What is a witness?

Someone who has seen something and testifies to it

Witness: words, works, willingness to suffer (expound)

We see this all in Acts

Being a witness is about pointing to something else: You see it’s not us that take on the work of Jesus—the work was finished on the cross

We simply remind ourselves and point others to Jesus

The one who died for our sins—was raised from the dead—and gives us new life

We have witnessed the love of Jesus

We have seen and experienced the living Jesus that has changed us

Why did God choose it this way?

Why did he choose his broken and weak people to be his witnesses?

Why can’t God just send angels across the world announcing the Good News of the cross and resurrection?

It is because God desires to partner with us

He wants to work through us to accomplish his Will because often, we are changed in the process as well

Ex. Parent working on a Car/Cooking Dinner

Not because it’s easier or faster but because their child will learn and mature

And often we have the same question that the disciples have to Jesus:

Are you gonna fix our problem now?

And many times, Jesus has a similar response:

I have given you my spirit—I want you to step out in faith

Acts teaches us that Christianity isn’t passive

It’s not just a set of beliefs

It is an invitation into a new identity, a new community, and a new mission and purpose for our lives

As we read Acts we’ll see that the Early Church was not sitting around—they were on a mission—and God was with them every step of the way

Finally we see:

Jesus on the Throne

Acts 1:9–12 CSB

9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.

As the story of Acts begins we get a needed reminder—Jesus is alive—He didn’t just disappear after the resurrection—Jesus is in heaven, sitting at the right hand of the father

When we think of the Gospel often we only focus on

Jesus’s life—the perfect example

The cross—forgiveness

The resurrection—new life

And the ascension—Jesus’s present authority and power

It is clear that Jesus is on the throne throughout Acts

Throughout the book of Acts we get this unshakeable feeling that the Church is unstoppable—there is a sense of movement

It starts off slowly (like a snowball) and it gains more and more traction

And despite persecution it continues to grow and thrive

And this is because no one can stop the plans of God—no person, no empire, no spiritual powers

Jesus is our king—he has ascended—and his sits at the right hand of the father

The climax of the story is behind us

God has made peace with us through the blood of Jesus

Jesus is now enthroned over all

We are simply living out the reality of the Gospel

Despite what might come—Jesus is in control

As we read Acts there is a ton of difficulties and persecution the church faces—but they are always reminding themselves that God is in control—Jesus is on the throne

And we need this reminder just as much in our lives

Despite what difficulties we go through—personally

Despite what is happening globally

We have confidence that God is on the throne

two times in Acts Psalm 2 is referenced

Psalm 2 CSB

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One: “Let’s tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of us.” The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.

Ex. Kids in a sandbox — Principal shows up

As we read Acts—the church isn’t fighting for victory in their own strength

They are simply obedient to God and he provides the growth and power

Acts reminds us that despite what difficulties we face—God is in control and God is with us

Conclusion

So as we study through this book, I hope we can keep these truths in mind

This isn’t just a fiction story—or a generic history book

This book is our heritage and story

This book is an invitation for each of us to carry the baton and fulfil the mission of Jesus in our own world

This book is a reminder that Jesus is on the throne

Nothing will catch him off guard

Nothing can defeat him

As we take communion:

We remember this story—of who Jesus is and what he came to do

He gave his body and blood to purchase us—to make us his own

His deep love for you

bringing us into his family

So lets take this time to recalibrate our lives back to Jesus

Confess sin

Ask for help

Thank him for what he has done

Small Group Questions

Icebreaker: What is your favorite period of history?

Where do you see a need for the gospel in your world?

How have you seen others witness to Jesus?

(Words, Works, Willingness to Suffer)

What keeps you from remembering Jesus is on the throne? What difference does this truth make in our lives?