Acts 1:1-11

How old is our church?

Actually this is our history. This is where we came from.

What is the book of Acts? What is it’s purpose?

Dedicated to Theophilus. Likely a Roman official. Maybe a Christian seeker or a Roman official. Name means “dear to God”. The first “book” is the gospel of Luke. Who is Luke? Prolific writer. Actually more material than all of Paul’s letters. (What if he wrote Hebrews?) He was a companion of Paul as well so likely had some influence even there.

But we don’t know much about him. We’ve deduced that he was a physician. Not much else. Humility. So what’s the purpose of this second volume. You get an idea… “began to do and teach”…This is pointing to all that Jesus did after his ascension. What should the book be called?

Acts of the Apostles?

Acts of the Holy Spirit?

First, who is Luke.

Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus?

Having given instructions…what the apostles are doing…what the Spirit is doing…is continuing and testifying about the works of Jesus. Hands and feet of Jesus.

Also may have a bit of a political purpose. Convince Theophilus of the validity of Christianity. But more than anything it’s an evangelistic emphasis. Gospel proclamation is what led to the growth.

Written probably around AD 64. And it has exploded by that point. Started with just a few people and now has caused Rome to start talking.

v3-5

Prescriptive or Descriptive?

v3-5

Forty days only in Luke. Speaking about the kingdom of God…again this is the message of Jesus. It’s what we saw all throughout Luke.

How do we read Acts?

Prescriptive or Descriptive?

Stay here until you receive the Spirit. What does this mean?

Why stay here…b/c it has to happen after his ascension. Jerusalem b/c of the historical significance and the promises of God upon this place. City of David is context of so much and THIS would be the fulfillment. This is what would bring about the new age.

Stay here until you receive the Spirit. What does this mean.

Baptized with the Spirit? Immersed in the Spirit. Connected with Joel. Connected with Ezekiel. Will come up again and it’s relationship to things like speaking in tongues. They are given the Spirit. How did the Spirit work in the OT. What happens from Pentecost on?

Duh that question comes up. Are you now going to restore the kingdom to Israel. THAT’S not your business…but THIS is. How might we get similarly distracted in our day?

last words of Jesus with his feet on the ground. Key to the entire book. It’s the structure of the book.

Witnesses. We don’t get to be novel. He might be able to preach the gospel better but he cannot preach a better gospel.

It’s going to be marked by suffering. That’s what ends up propelling them to the ends of the earth. It’s going to be ALL believers not just the apostles. And it’s all those who receive this power of the Spirit.

Power. We aren’t on our own. Boldness and magnification of Jesus.

The nations are the ones in need. That’s the scope. Interesting that “ends of the earth” is included. They weren’t thinking in these categories.

“Taken up”. Fulfillment of . Similar to the Mount of Transfiguration but this time it’s two “men” who appear. Credible witnesses.

“Taken up”. Fulfillment of .

Jesus is returning again. (Parable of the talents? Get busy with your commission). Once the Spirit comes they go.