Acts Part 1

Intro

starting a new book but really just part two

often missed idea, that Luke meant for these to be two parts of a whole story

the only gospel writer to give the continuation of the gospel

To Theophilus

the second book to the Roman official

possibly a member or even one who was opening up his house to the church

maybe one who was just curious and wanted to know more

Luke not only covers the gospel as others did, but the acts of the apostles in carrying on the way as Jesus commanded them to

Ascension Part 2

Jesus stays with them for 40 days and proves his resurrection to many in many ways

the idea of a resurrected person was contested then and contested now

NT Wright- just because you cannot point to another instance of it does not make it impossible or even implausible

when all the evidence points to the resurrection being real and fact then logic dictates we call it such

the world would rather toil away with endless theories that they will never prove rather than accept that man can overcome death

What are you waiting for? Go live like Jesus is going to return

Choosing a Witness

they go and devote their selves to drawing closer to God

one of the twelve had to do what Judas did

there needs to be one added to the twelve to fulfill the prophecy

one of the disciples who had followed all the way but was not chosen by Jesus at the sermon on the mount originally

two candidates, chosen by lot

an odd tradition carried on, but the Spirit is meant to be seen as the one working here and the next part is a continuation of that

Application

the story, the prophecy, the way does not end with Jesus

from the moment he ascends the apostles are still living and furthering the kingdom he established

the reason they replaced one, not only to fulfill scripture

we need to tell as many people as possible the truth of Jesus and those who saw it first hand are the best witnesses

we have not seen it first hand but our challenge is the same

to spread the truth that is undeniable until Jesus returns as he said he would