Series of the Book of Acts

Who Wrote Acts

Acts (Acts 1: We Are Witnesses)

Luke depicts the birth and growth of the early church through about thirty-three years, almost two generations. He begins with the ascension of Christ and ends with the imprisonment of Paul in Rome. Along the way he describes the earliest days of the church in Jerusalem, the church’s beginning efforts to reach beyond the Jewish community, and three missionary journeys across Asia Minor and into Greece. He introduces ninety-five people, sixty-two of whom are not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.The key verse of the book is probably 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts Chapter 1: 1-3

Acts A. Witnesses of the Lord’s Life (vv. 1–5)

1:1–3a. Book dedications were common among the Greeks. Luke had dedicated his Gospel to his Greek-speaking friend Theophilus (Luke 1:3). He continues his contact with Theophilus to complete the story from the birth of Christ to the establishment of the church all around the Mediterranean world. Immediately he emphasizes key ideas of his book: the command to witness; the role of the apostles; the significance of the Holy Spirit; and his literary launching pad, the ascension of the Lord. Luke connects Acts to his Gospel with the simple words, after his suffering. He refused to point to the resurrected, glorious, ascended Lord without pointing to the suffering Servant.

1:4–5. What would these disciples do after the Lord left them? The first command was to wait. They were not to engage in ministry until they had been empowered by the gift my Father promised.

The gift of the Father : The Holy Spirit

The Spirit of the Trinity. Also: Advocate; Comforter; The Comforter; Counselor; God the Spirit; Helper; Holy Ghost; The Holy Spirit; Pentecost; Seven Spirits of God; Spirit; Spirit of Christ; Spirit of God; Spirit of Grace; Spirit of the Lord; The Teacher

The Holy Spirit

1. his name and personality The name “Holy Ghost,” or “Holy Spirit,” occurs

in the New Testament ninety-three times.

In the Acts alone He is mentioned over fifty times;

and in the eighth of Romans there are seventeen references.

In the Gospels we see the ministry of Jesus;

in the Acts we have the ministry of the Holy Ghost. His Name reveals His actual relationship to man redeemed.

In the name Father we see the parent from whom we have wandered.

In the name Jesus we see the Saviour by whom we are reconciled.

In the name Holy Spirit we see the atmosphere in which our spirits are to live, and move, and have their being (Acts 17:28).

He, like the air we breathe, comes into continual and indispensable contact with our inner man, supplying our souls with the life and spirit which were in Christ Jesus (Ezek. 37:5–10).

The name “Holy Spirit” carries with it the idea of a holy, moving, vitalising breath At Pentecost this mighty breath came down like rushing wind, bringing the soul-bracing atmosphere of the very “presence of God” in and around the waiting disciples (Acts 2:1–4).

1. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ—“Humiliation and death.”

2. The love of God—“Justification and life.”

3. The communion of the Holy Ghost—fellowship.”

4. Be with you all—“Privilege and responsibility

VERSE 9

The Ascension of Jesus Christ

outline of the Chapter

Acts VII. Teaching Outline

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Lead Story: The Power of a Witness

2. Context: Merging the Gospels and epistles, Acts shows us how Jesus’ disciples understood and put into action what he taught them for three and one-half years. Written in the early 60s, possibly from Caesarea or Rome, the book shows us a growing group of people genuinely excited about the resurrection, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the coming of the Lord.

3. Transition: This chapter launches our adventure with the early Christians as they take the gospel from Jerusalem and Antioch around the Mediterranean world. Luke makes six points about the early church.

B. COMMENTARY

1. Witnesses of the Lord’s Life (vv. 1–5)

a. Convincing proofs (vv. 1–3)

b. Command for power (vv. 4–5)

2. Witnesses of the Lord’s Message (vv. 6–8)

a. Message of the kingdom (vv. 6–7)

b. Message for the world (v. 8)

3. Witnesses of the Lord’s Ascension (vv. 9–11)

a. “He was taken up” (vv. 9–10)

b. “He will come back” (v. 11)

4. Witnesses of the Lord’s People (vv. 12–14)

a. Together in an upper room (vv. 12–13)

b. Praying together (v. 14)

5. Witnesses of the Lord’s Word (vv. 15–22)

a. Prophetic fulfillment (vv. 15–17)

b. Honest explanation (vv. 18–20)

c. Clear qualifications (vv. 21–22)

6. Witnesses of the Lord’s Sovereignty (vv. 23–26)

a. Candidates nominated (v. 23)

b. Commitment affirmed (vv. 24–25)

c. Choice concluded (v. 26)

C. CONCLUSION

VIII. ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

1. What evidence shows that your church has received the Holy Spirit’s power?

2. Describe the prayer ministry of your study group and of your church.

3. How does the way your church selects leaders compare with that of the first Jerusalem church?