A Witness to the World
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
A continued story
A continued story
Tonight we start a great journey, adventure through book of Acts. You will see some amazing things, great examples and some not so great along the way. The book of Acts is a continued story of Gospel of Luke.
(Research paper picture inserted here)
Have you ever had to write a research paper, or work on a research project? (expand on this) - - - Luke did, it would seem he was commissioned to research Jesus and the end result was he compiled two works, or two parts that make up about 27% of the words used in the N.T.
The book of Acts is not a comprehensive history of the birth and the early church, but rather a focused history centering on the beginning and early development of the church and looking at some of the ministry work of Peter and of Paul.
As we climb aboard this amazing book for a great adventure, may we know that Acts is a vital part of our History as it was important to the recipient(s) then, it is important to us today.
Without Acts we would not history of the early church (covers about 30 years)
Without Acts we would not have the ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Without Acts we would not see a transformation of Saul of Tarsus, to Paul the Apostle, nor how the gospel came to the Gentiles.
Acts is a history book, not covering moment by moment but many critical events of the early church that are vital to the church today.
If you are passionate about something you want to share it with people. well, the book of Luke is a precursor to the book of Acts and because of his research Luke is very passionate about Jesus, so his work here in Acts continues.
Tonight while this is a bible class, I will do most of the talking but feel free to stop me and ask questions along the way, tonight we are setting the stage for this journey so we need to look at this historically first so we are equipped for the journey.
Author
Author
Can we know something without being told something? The Book of Acts is like that when it comes to the author.
You may say that the author is Luke, but he is not identified as the author in the prologue or anywhere else in the book, but we an draw a conclusion that he is from other writings.
To help conclude Luke is writer may we consider (Act1:1; Lk1:1-4)
1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,
what can we deduct, conclude about the author from Act1:1? - He wrote previously and wrote to Theophilus, and had a purpose for the writing
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
What can we deduct about the author of Gospel of Luke from these verses?
I know that this maybe basic stuff, but it is important to know why we believe something so as to be able to help others to come to believe what you believe
While we do not have a named person here all the early historians, christian writers agree that it was Luke the physician was the commissioned writer of the books.
With little said about Luke we still can know a lot (Col4:14; Phil24; 2Tim4:11)
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Luke is a beloved physician who travels with Paul (also consider Col4:11-14).
Paul in Colossians was speaking of Gentiles who were helpful to him and travelled with him, so we may know that Luke was a Gentile believer.
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.
Luke is a fellow worker with Paul
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
Luke is faithful and servant to Paul
So here we have a doctor who travelled with Paul, maybe he treated Paul’s ailment his thorn in the side, we do not know. But we know that he became a fellow worker who was faithful.
At this time and in this region it was common for physicians to be slaves, so it is possible that Luke was a slave to Theophilus who commissioned him to investigate this “Jesus” that he had heard about.
Luke goes in to some great detail for a man who was not there to be a witness. There is no mention of Luke in the gospels so so we have no information that he knew, saw, or was a witness of Jesus at all. If he was he would have mentioned it in the gospel that bears his name. Now in Acts we will see some “we” statements.
Recipient(s)
Recipient(s)
where the author is left to make some assumptions and draw a conclusion, with the recipient(s) there is no question. There is much we can learn though, so may we look together.
If you cannot answer this question on who the recipient is then you cannot go to heaven, no just kidding.
Theolphilus (Act1:1; Lk1:3)
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
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,
There are questions though about Theophilus, who is this guy, what do we know about him?
(Theophilus meaning picture)
Theophilus means - loved of God
Theo = The study of God or of God
Philus = lover of, loved of
Different views regarding Theophilus
General name not associated with particular person for would put that person at risk.
It is an actual person because of the “most excellent” used in Luke.
Most excellent is term only used for a Roman high official
Between Luke and Acts the “most excellent” was dropped so if it were an actual person then the relationship between Luke and Theophilus, and that may be Luke giving history and Jesus to Theophilus now.
Purpose of Letter
Purpose of Letter
The purpose of Luke is clear (Lk1:4) but now what about Acts, what is the purpose? There are some things we can learn, deduct and hence prepare us for the study of the book.
4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
Purpose of Luke was to confirm what Theophilus was previously taught.
Have you ever been taught something then had more questions and had to check things out more? - Theophilus did.
Another interesting point about Luke, the ISBE (international Standard Bible Encyclopedia) says there is evidence that Luke composed the book of Luke to prove that neither Jesus nor His followers were politically dangerous to the Roman government. - - - that goes hand in hand that Theophilus if a person, a Roman High Official would want to investigate this Jesus to see if He or his followers were a threat to Rome.
Acts confirms reason for book of Luke (Act1:1)
Now he is going to continue on with his research paper and sharing things that were not previously covered.
There is another theory that is plausible too, that Theophilus was a magistrate who heard Paul’s case in Rome and the book of Acts is a part of the legal brief for Paul and on Paul’s behalf since Luke already knew Theophilus. (taken from ISBE too)
Get to throw in all sorts of miscellaneous facts since this is an introduction, but hopefully it keeps you longing for more as we prepare for this great journey.
Act’s ends with an open ending (Act28:30-31)
When the book of Acts ends, look at this.
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
Paul is in prison, but we do not know the outcome from the Bible standpoint. It is a safe assumption that Paul’s legal case had not been disposed of prior to the writing of the book of Acts. Some may say we are chapter 29 of Acts!
Everything has a purpose and there are a few things that can be considered regarding purpose for book of Acts.
To defend and legitimize the claims of the church
This defense would include that the church is the true people of God, the true Israel, the spiritual Israel.
To help the believers to grow in their faith
To help with their evangelist effort, evangelist zeal
To give testimony to the fact that God’s salvation has arrived
This is the fulfillment of the prophesy of Israel’s hope through Jesus Christ is so that all nations, all people could have the same hope, its for all!
To demonstrate the age of the Spirit has come; Spirits work in early church
The outpouring, the working of the Holy Spirit in the early church
To show that the age of the gospel had come
Final reminder before moving on, the good news, the gospel, was for all people regardless of race, gender or social status.
Time and place of writing
Time and place of writing
Like most of the books there are some time markers but no exact date to when written or where written from. We can draw conclusion though.
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,
Written from Rome during two year period Paul was there
This would have been about AD 60-62
Heart of the Letter
Heart of the Letter
Value, we oftentimes weigh things out, what is the worth, what is the value of something before we invest in it. With Luke it had great historical value for its chronological account of the life and times of Jesus Christ. Now may we look at what the value, the heart of the letter is with Book of Acts.
In Luke’s gospel, different from the others it is the most historical in chronological order of the four gospels and is widely used to introduce people to the Good News, the Gospel.
Luke was careful about chronology (Lk1:3)
3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
How did he investigate everything? - carefully from beginning, and wrote it down.
Luke was detailed about historical content (Lk2:1-2, 3:1-2)
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
what do you see about historical content here?
In Acts Luke painstakingly details how evangelist the times were and what steps were taken, or what path to take to become a Christian (Act2:36-41)
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Conversions, salvation, there are many in the book of Acts and when we get there we will look at the methods used for evangelism in the early church. But here are the conversions
Act2 - Birth of church, 3000 added to the numbers
Act8 - Samaritans / Ethiopian Eunuch
Act 9 - Saul
Act10 - Cornelius
Act13 - Proconsul and the Gentiles
Act16 - Lydia as well as the Jailer
Act 17 Dionysisus and Damarius
Act18- Apollos
As we work our way, take our journey through the book we can have assurance of our own conversion, our salvation, as well as great evangelistic tools used then that are applicable today.
Book of Acts value to the church
Demonstrates the devotion (Act2:42)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Displays what they were commended to do (Act14:23)
23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
What they did was recorded for our learning and application. It is hard to believe that there are many who have strayed from the early church way of things today.
Conclusion
If you like history, you will enjoy this journey
If you like to know about evangelism, this is the book to study
If you like a good drama, look no further you can find it here
If you are a student and like to learn, well this is a great textbook, great literature
The book of Acts, a witness to the world and for the world so the world can apply it and have the same results they did at that time. If you have read Luke, and add in Acts you have completed 25% of the N.T.
(Encouragement slide - Salvations Path) For most maybe this is a reminder how we became a Christian, maybe its an assurance we are a Christian, it’s also a display biblically how to become a Christian, if anyone needs to respond let’s take care of it tonight
(Encouragement slide 2 - baptism Saves) prayer (exit slide)