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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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INTRODUCTION TO
THE BOOK OF ACTS (3/3/13) Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE TITLE OF ACTS A. In the scheme of the New Testament, Acts
is the historical sequel to the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
The Gospels record the life, person, and ministry of Christ. Acts takes over
where the Gospels left off and gives the account of the commission and
ministries of Christ’s apostles. B. The title was not included in the original
writings by the author, but was given later by the
early church. The title given was the “Acts of the Apostles” (Praxeis
Apostolōn; the root
praxis means the practice, work, or activity, i.e.“acts” ).
Some have commented that it could have been named, “Certain Acts of Certain Apostles” because it only
gives the account of the major apostles (Peter, James, and Paul). Another has
mentioned that it could be called, “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles,” since
His sovereign, superintending work was far more significant than that of any
man. It was the Spirit’s directing, controlling, and
empowering ministry that strengthened the church and caused it to grow in
numbers, spiritual power, and influence (MSB). II. THE AUTHORSHIP AND DATE OF ACTS A. Luke is the undisputed author of the book
of Acts. In Acts, he confirms his previous writing of the gospel of Luke (Ac
1:1). B. Further support is given for Luke’s authorship
in his personal inclusion in certain events in Acts by the designation of
“we” (Ac 16:10-16; 20:6-8, 13-15; 21:1-25; 27:1-8, 15-18; 28:1, 10-16), In
addition, the early church fathers concluded and confirmed Luke’s authorship.
C. Because certain events are not included in
his account (destruction of Jerusalem - A.D. 70, Paul’s martyrdom - A.D.
66-68, burning of Rome - A.D. 64), Luke probably wrote Acts sometime around
A.D. 60-62 at Rome and possibly Caesarea during Paul’s imprisonment. D. Luke, “the beloved physician” (Col 4:14),
was a Gentile from Troas who was converted by Paul (Ac 16:8 cf. Ac 16:10). He
accompanied Paul on part of his second and third missionary journeys. The
last mention of Luke is in 2Ti 4:11 around A.D. 67, which means that he
finished the writing of Acts some five years earlier. III. THE BACKGROUND OF ACTS A. In both his gospel and the book of Acts,
Luke writes specifically to the same individual by the name of Theophilus (Lk
1:3; Ac 1:1). Theophilus may have been a patron who financed Luke’s writings.
Some suggest he was a Roman official because Luke addressed him as “most
excellent Theophilus.” B. Nevertheless, Theophilus was a believer
and Luke’s purpose for writing was “so
that [he] may know the exact truth about the things [he had] been taught” (Lk 1:4). C. As for the writing of Acts, what Luke did
not personally witness while with Paul (Col 4:14; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 1:24), he
would have “investigated everything
carefully” (Lk 1:3, lit. followed closely with accuracy), interviewing the apostles and researching their letters (Ac
15:23–29; 23:26–30). D. Luke’s objective was to write a historical
narrative about Jesus’ life in Luke and the apostles’ ministry in Acts (Ac
1:1-2ff) in “consecutive order” (Lk 1:3, kathexēs - according to what is next,
i.e. consecutive). I. THE THEME OF ACTS A. In Luke’s prologue, he records Jesus’
commission to the apostles as well as the key verse for his letter, Ac 1:8.
The apostles were to receive the Holy Spirit to empower them to be His
witnesses and spread the gospel in “Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” B. In the designation of these areas, Luke
outlined the apostles’ witness into a threefold division of his letter. In Ac
1:1-7:60 he writes of the apostles’ mission in Jerusalem, in Ac 8:1-12:25
their mission in Judea and Samaria, and in Ac 13:1-28:31 their mission to the
remotest part of the earth (Rome). C. Luke’s narrative of the mission, example,
and struggle of the early church becomes an integral part of the New
Testament. 1. It gives background to Paul’s missionary
journeys, without which, Paul’s references in his
letters would be very difficult to piece together. 2. It helps us understand the transition
between Judaism and Christianity, answering many Jewish questions (Messiah,
Church, meeting on the first day of the week, etc.). 3. It gives the church a biblical model for
its own ministry and struggles as well as an encouraging motivation to carry
on Jesus’ commission. D. In addition to these, Luke gives at least
seven “progress reports” of the early church (2:47; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5;
19:20; 28:30-31). II. THE OUTLINE OF ACTS THE SPIRIT-EMPOWERED
WITNESS OF THE APOSTLES I. THE APOSTLES’ WITNESS IN JERUSALEM (1:1-7:60) A. The Prologue
(1:1–8) B. The Promise of the Spirit (1:9-26) C. The Procreation of the Church (2:1-47) D. The Proliferation of the Church (3:1-6:7) E. The Persecution of the Church (6:8-7:60) II. THE APOSTLES’ WITNESS IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA
(8:1-12:25) A. The Gospel to the Samaritans (8:4-25) B. The Gospel to Gaza (8:26-40) C. The Gospel to Saul/Paul (9:1–31) D. The Gospel to Judea (9:32–43) E. The Gospel to the Gentiles (10:1–11:30) F. The Gospel Under Fire (12:1–25) III. THE APOSTLES’ WITNESS IN THE REMOTEST PART
OF THE EARTH (13:1-28:31) A. Paul’s First Missionary Journey
(13:1–14:28) B. The Jerusalem Council (15:1–35) C. Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
(15:36–18:22) D. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
(18:23–21:16) E. Paul’s Jerusalem and Caesarean Trials
(21:17–26:32) F. Paul’s Journey to Rome (27:1–28:31) IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Acts reveals the need for sincere
investigation of the truth of the Bible for unbelievers and believers.
Individuals like Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel followed in the same
investigative light as Luke. All believers should continue to study and
investigate the truth of the Scriptures for spiritual growth and the defense
of the faith (2Ti 2:15; 1Pe 3:15). B. Though some events and activities were
specific to the early church, Acts reveals to believers what the normal
pattern for the Church today should be: bold global evangelism, edifying the
Church through strong biblical teaching, personal and public holiness, and
perseverance through sufferings (Ac 2:42-47). C. Though Luke was alive to record more
incidents for the Church, he concluded his book without an ending. This is
the Holy Spirit’s challenge to the present day Church to continue with the
apostle’s mission. In a real sense, the Church will
conclude the book of Acts when Christ comes back for His Church. |
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