History in the Making Understanding the Book of Acts Lesson One

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James Myles Parsons
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1 Luke 1:1-4 February 17, 2013 Acts 1:1-3 History in the Making Understanding the Book of Acts Lesson One Introduction: Today we embark upon a fascinating journey, a study of the New Testament book of Acts The Acts of the Apostles (titled since 2 nd Century A.D.) is the second volume of a twovolume history of Christian origins (Luke-Acts) Originally the two volumes circulated together as one complete history-but not for long Early in 2 nd Century the four Gospels were packaged as the four-fold Gospel so the first volume (Luke) was detached from Acts in circulation Acts was left to pursue its own path About the same time, Paul s letters were compiled together under a collection (The Apostles)-so the Gospel and the Apostle Would have been a huge gap between the Gospels (the story of Jesus) and the Apostle (letters of Paul to the church) without Acts-the origin and history of the church Acts was indispensible in bringing the two collections together Provides a narrative background against which many of Paul s letter can be more readily understood Four areas of focus in this introduction I. Historical Context of Acts A. Author-Luke (Three main arguments) 1. We passages (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-8; 27:1-28:16) indicates a traveling associate of Paul a. Sends greeting from Luke (Colossians 4:14) b. Was with Paul in his imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:11) 2. Gospel of Luke and Acts both written to Theophilus 3. Church tradition consistently names Luke as author 1

2 B. Date A.D. 1. Last events recorded in Acts 28-A.D Book focuses on Gentile reception of messages and willingness to come into the church 3. This points to a time before the fall of Jerusalem (70), Paul s martyrdom (64-66), and Nero s persecution (64). 4. Acts probably in early 60 s (62-64 A.D.) C. Audience- Most Excellent Theophilus 1. Gentile and representative of intelligent Roman middle class reading public among whom Paul s case had sparked interest. NOTE: Acts 28:30/Philippians 1:13-Paul witnessed to palace guard and sparked interest in the Gospel 2. A real person, probably a person who is a high Roman official (most excellent) 3. Has been informed about the Gospel but uncertain because of the dissenting voices he would have heard (unbelieving Jews, Judaizers, Romans saw it as a cult) 4. Likely not yet a Christian D. Purpose-not total agreement on this subject That you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. Luke 1:4 NKJV 1. He clearly wants his readers (Theophilus is primary) to know the certainty of what he was written 2. Evangelistic focus (Cornelius, Philippian jailer, Felix, Festus, Agrippa) 3. Wanted a logical, accurate, historically reliable account of what Christ did and continues to do so the readers might be certain II. Structural Framework of Acts Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:6-8 NKJV A. You shall be my witnesses is the evangelistic theme of the book of Acts 1. Jerusalem-(Chapters 1-7) 2. Judea and Samaria (8:1-11:18) 2

3 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts 8:1 NKJV 3. Uttermost parts of the earth Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. Acts 11:19-20 NKJV NOTE: This was the call of the New Testament church Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:46-48 NKJV B. The close of Acts is not the end of the story 1. Paul in prison in Rome 2. His story closes So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, 'Go to this people and say: 'Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."' 28 "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!" 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. Acts 28:23-31 NKJV 3. We are still witnesses to all nations INDEED-HISTORY IN THE MAKING! 3

4 III. Theological Impact of Acts (Multi-faceted) A. God fulfills his promise (see Luke s summary) Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, Luke 24:46 NKJV This is what is written -not human origin, not religious tradition-divine REVELATION! B. God the Father-transcendent yet immanent creator and sustainer of all the earth God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. Acts 17:24-25 NKJV So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Acts 17:27-28 NKJV C. History and the End Times 1. The present is the last days that began at Pentecost this is that 2. The ministry of Jesus continues now through the Church, empowered by the Spirit The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Acts 1:1 NKJV D. Christology 1. Titles-Messiah, prophet, righteous, and holy one, servant-lord is dominant-messiah Servant who is love! 2. Work-Though innocent of any wrong-doing he was put to death, but raised, exalted and coming back E. Salvation is to be preached And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 NKJV 1. Proclamation-Peter, Stephen, Phillip, Paul Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Acts 9:20 NKJV 4

5 How I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, Acts 20:20 NKJV "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Acts 20:25 NKJV 2. With salvation comes blessings (forgiveness of sins, grace, and joy) F. The Word is central to Acts 1. Used to encourage Theophilus to salvation 2. God sends word of salvation to Israel The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ He is Lord of all. Acts 10:36 NKJV 3. Word believers speak and testify to 4. Converts shaped by hearing, and believing the Word 5. So central to the church mission is the Word that the apostles make it their focus Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Acts 6:2 NKJV But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4 NKJV 6. Church growth described by Luke as the word spreading Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7 NKJV But the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts 12:24 NKJV And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. Acts 13:49 NKJV So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. Acts 19:20 NKJV G. Spirit 1. Luke-endued with power from on high 2. Pentecost-promised gift of the Father 3. Simon in Acts 8 4. Cornelius-Acts Ephesus-Acts 19 5

6 H. Scope of the ministry-to all nations-rome at end! IV. Contemporary Relevance of the Book of Acts A. We are not 1 st Century persons hampered by all the physical and cultural limitations of a pre-scientific society-but we have our limitations 1. Not in the age of the apostles 2. No direct contact with eyewitnesses 3. Hard to walk in the sandals of first Christians B. The worldview of those outside of the church today is not unlike 1 st Century paganschurch has challenge of communicating the changeless Gospel to a hostile world C. People, like the Philippian jailer are asking: What must I do to be saved? D. Acts shows how to communicate the message of the Gospel by engaging other worldviewsbut doing it with integrity E. Giving us courage to be witnesses in a secular culture where religion is not welcome in the public square F. Many today with all of the world s tragedy, feel as if history-makes no sense-acts says that God is at work in history-he brought salvation near by Jesus Christ G. Finally, there is a hunger for the Spirit and though often confusing-acts shows us how we can become riverbeds for the flow of His unlimited power. Conclusion: Acts is history in the making and we have the chance to make history ourselves! 6

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