The Book of ACTS Introduction

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1 Bi 203 Acts Fall, 2015 The Book of ACTS Introduction September 10, 2015 Week 01 1

2 There are three questions we should start with in thinking about the book of Acts 1.Who 2.When 3.What 4.Where Week 01 2

3 Who wrote the book of Acts, Week 01 3

4 Opening Verse(s) Acts 1:1 (ESV) 1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, Week 01 4

5 The first Book Luke 1:1 4 (ESV) 1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Week 01 5

6 Who Let s look at a few other verses Acts 16: Acts 20:5-21:18 Acts 27:1-28:16 Unlike the earlier parts of Acts, here we see the narrator/author shifting from telling us about them to now being involved in the story by the we and us So, although the author was recounting from others, these parts truly were his personal eye witness accounts. Week 01 6

7 Luke, the Physician, Fellow Laborer Colossians 4:14 (ESV) 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Philemon 24 (ESV) 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 2 Timothy 4:11 (ESV) 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Week 01 7

8 Bi 203 Acts Fall, 2015 FOR LACK OF A MORE LIKELY CANDIDATE WE WILL ASSUME FROM THIS POINT FORWARD THAT LUKE WROTE BOTH THE GOSPEL OF LUKE AND THE BOOK OF ACTS Week 01 8

9 When did he write the book of Acts? There is no clear statement of when Acts was written, BUT There is ZERO consideration or reference to the destruction of Jerusalem ( 70 CE ) There is no reference to Paul s second imprisonment in Rome and his death ( CE ) There is no hint of the persecution of Christians following the burning of Rome by Nero ( 64 CE ) Pauls 1 st imprisonment in Rome is mentioned ( CE ) Week 01 9

10 Bi 203 Acts Fall, 2015 Week 01 ALTHOUGH SOME DISAGREE WE WILL ASSUME THAT THE BOOK OF ACTS WAS WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED SOMETIME AFTER 60CE, AND BEFORE 64CE. 10

11 After thought on Dating Luke 21:20 24 (ESV) 20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Some view this as too detailed to have actually been said by Jesus. Thus they believe this was written some time after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70CE Thus forcing a date much later than we accept. Week 01 11

12 After though on Dating By middle 2 nd century Acts is well established in the church, and both volumes (Luke, Acts) were edited (by Marcion) and used to support his heretical teachings. Luke s actual writings were key in refuting the Marcionic teachings. Week 01 12

13 The Theme of Acts, falls under the general category of witness (Acts 1:8) 1. The witness is worldwide Judea, Samaria, the end of the world 2. The witness is inclusive of all kinds of people. 3. The witness is guided by the providence of God who preserves his witnesses for their testimony through all sorts of threats, but faithful witnesses must be prepared to suffer, and even to die for their testimony to Christ. Week 01 13

14 4. The power behind the witness is the Holy Spirt granted to all believers. Often this power was accompanied with signs and wonders pointing to the truth of the Gospel. 5. Effective witness demands the unity of the church 6. Key to the witness is the resurrection of Jesus. For the Jews, it demonstrated Jesus as the Messiah. For the Gentiles it pointed to his role as judge and established their need to repent. Week 01 14

15 7. Acceptance of the message depends both on human response and the divine sovereignity behind the response. 8. The OT scriptures point to the death and resurrection of Christ, and the prophecies that point to Christ and to his followers must be fulfilled. 9. The witness to the gospel calls for a response which includes repentance of one s sins in the name of Christ. Week 01 15

16 10.Witnesses must always maintain integrity before the world. 11.Christian witnesses continue the ministry that Christ began. 12.Faithful witness brings great results. Week 01 16

17 Bi 203 Acts Fall, 2015 THE BOOK OF ACTS IN THREE MINUTES... Week 01 17

18 Week 01 18

19 Bi 203 Acts Fall, 2015 Acts Structure Excercise 1. Form groups of ~3 2. Create a theme for each scripture passage enumerated 3. Budget your time, minutes for work, minutes for a bio break Week 01 19

20 Acts Outline Study Groups of ~3 ESVStudy Bible Bible Readers Companion New Testament Survey Wiersbe s 1:1 2:13 1:1 2:47 1:1 7:60 1:1-12:25 2:14 5:42 3:1 9:45 8:1 12:25 13:1-28:31 6:1 12:25 10:1 15:35 13:1 28:31 13:1-14:28 15:36 19:20 15:1 15:35 19:21 28:31 15:36 18:22 18:23 21:16 21:17 23:35 24:1-26:32 27:1 28:31 Week 01 20

21 ESV Study Bible Division References 1:1 2:13 2:14 5:42 6:1 12:25 13:1-14:28 15:1 15:35 15:36 18:22 18:23 21:16 21:17 23:35 24:1-26:32 27:1 28:31 Division Theme Week 01 21

22 ESV Study Bible Division References Division Theme 1:1 2:13 Preparing to Witness 2:14 5:42 Witness in Jerusalem 6:1 12:25 Witness beyond Jerusalem 13:1-14:28 Witness in Cypress & Southern Galatia 15:1 15:35 Jerusalem Council 15:36 18:22 Witness in Greece 18:23 21:16 Witness in Ephesus 21:17 23:35 Arrest in Jerusalem 24:1-26:32 Witness in Caesarea 27:1 28:31 Witness in Rome Week 01 22

23 The Bible Readers Companion Division References 1:1 2:47 Division Theme 3:1 9:45 10:1 15:35 15:36 19:20 19:21 28:31 Week 01 23

24 The Bible Readers Companion Division References 1:1 2:47 Introduction Division Theme 3:1 9:45 Mission to Israel 10:1 15:35 Mission to the Gentiles 15:36 19:20 Further Missionary Journeys 19:21 28:31 Paul s imprisonment Week 01 24

25 New Testament Survey Division References 1:1 7:60 Division Theme 8:1 12:25 13:1 28:31 Week 01 25

26 New Testament Survey Division References 1:1 7:60 Witness in Jerusalem Division Theme 8:1 12:25 Witness to Judea & Samaria 13:1 28:31 To the ends of the Earth Week 01 26

27 Wiersbe s Expository Outlines of the NT Division References 1:1-12:25 Division Theme 13:1-28:31 Week 01 27

28 Wiersbe s Expository Outlines of the NT Division References Division Theme 1:1-12:25 Ministry of Peter Mission to Jews 13:1-28:31 Ministry of Paul Mission to Gentiles Week 01 28

29 A different take on dividing the book Acts 6:7 (ESV) 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 9:31 (ESV) 31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. Week 01 29

30 A different take on dividing the book (part 2) Acts 12:24 (ESV) 24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. Acts 16:5 (ESV) 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. Acts 19:20 (ESV) 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. Week 01 30

31 Each of these verses represent the narrators words, summarizing the status up to that time. Notice, how each of these represents how the Word of God, and the Church are continuing to increase at each of the above 5 statements. The author has taken us on a journey, showing us how God through the Holy Spirit Week 01 31

32 Bi 203 Acts Fall, 2015 A VIEW TO THE WORLD... Week 01 32

33 The Roman Empire 264 BCE / 117 CE Week 01 33

34 Nations The Day of Pentecost Week 01 Acts 2:

35 Saul s Journey of Conversion Acts 9:1-19; 22: :12-32 Gal. 1:17 Week 01 35

36 Acts of the Apostles in Israel Week 01 36

37 Paul s First Missionary Journey C. CE Acts 13:1-14:28 Week 01 37

38 Paul s Second Missionary Journey Week 01 C. CE Acts 15:22-18:23 38

39 Paul s Third Missionary Journey Week 01 C. CE Acts 19:1-21:16 39

40 Paul s Journey to Rome AKA Paul s 4 th Missionary Journey Week 01 C. CE 60 Acts 27:1-28:31 40

41 The Growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire 1 st & 2 nd century Week 01 C. CE

42 Bi 203 Acts Fall, 2015 THE CLOSING... Week 01 42

43 Acts 28:28 31 (ESV) 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen. 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. Week 01 43

44 Week 01 44

ACTS (Luke s 2 nd Volume)

ACTS (Luke s 2 nd Volume) Theme: The Birth and Expansion of the Church Author: Luke, the beloved physician (Acts 1:1; Luke 1:1-4) Date of Writing: c. A.D. 61 63 (see Acts 28:30-31) Purpose: Time Frame: