Introduction to the Sequel of Luke: Acts. Acts 1:1-3; Luke 1:1-4

Introduction to the Sequel of Luke: Acts Acts 1:1-3; Luke 1:1-4

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Agenda Luke Luke s first book The Commandments Given Post Resurrection Appearances Kingdom of God

Acts 1:1 The former treatise [account] have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Who is the I?

Luke the Author The vast majority of all of Christianity has accepted for 2000 years that Luke the beloved physician (Col 4:14) is the author of both the third Gospel and Acts Luke is a traveling companion with Paul

Acts 1:1 The former treatise [account] have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Let s look at the introduction of the former treatise

Turn Back to Luke 1:1

Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration [narrative] of those things which are most surely believed among us, ESV: have been accomplished NKJV: have been fulfilled

The Greek word plērophoreō in this V. is translated differently because of the uniqueness of the Word Yet all three rendering are correct and acceptable

Commentary The apostles and followers of Christ did most surely believe He is writing about what was accomplished by Christ Scripture was fulfilled by what Christ did; Luke will dedicate much time to describing what was fulfilled

Luke 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers [servants] of the word; Luke has the best sources one can find: eyewitnesses

Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, 10 sn When Luke says it seemed good to me as well he is not being critical of the earlier accounts, but sees himself stepping into a tradition of reporting about Jesus to which he will add uniquely a second volume on the early church when he writes the Book of Acts.

Luke 1:3 having had perfect [exact or accurate] understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order [account], most excellent Theophilus, Based on Luke s diligence in learning from the eyewitnesses he is well-equipped to give us an accurate narrative of the life of Christ

Luke 1:4 That thou [Theophilus from v. 3] Possibly a rich believer who financed the book

Luke 1:4 mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

This is NOT Fiction! The Apostles and their companions are fully convinced that the man Jesus is the Son of God

Luke 1:4 That thou [Theophilus] mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. I know I get too passionate when I am instructing; sometimes, I feel like a coach that wants his team to be the best

Acts is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke Turn back to Acts 1:1

Acts 1:1-2a The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up [to heaven], Let s look at how Luke ends his gospel turn back to Luke 24 v. 50 ff

Luke 24:50-53 And he [Jesus] led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Bethany was a village on the Mount of Olives about 2 mi (3 km) from Jerusalem;

Acts 1:2 after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit is going to be a big deal in this book

Acts 1:2 after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Luke 24:46ff records these commandments

Luke 24:46-49 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved 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 among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Turn Back To Acts 1:3

Acts 1:3 To whom also he [Jesus] shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days,?

suffer

Acts 1:3 To whom also he [Jesus] shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days,

Being Witness of the Resurrection is Critical These Apostles will Continually Testify of the Resurrection

Acts 2:32 (ESV) This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Scripture Records 5 Easter Sunday Post Resurrection Appearances

#1 Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

#2 Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them [MM & the OM], saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

#3 1 Corinthians 15:4-5 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: Turn to Luke 24 v. 13

#4 Luke 24:13-18 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

#5 Luke 24:31-36 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

One Week Later Thomas Meets Jesus John 20:26-31

John 20:26 31 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Seven disciples meet Jesus by Sea of Galilee after night of fishing John 21

Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

1 Corinthians 15:6-7 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Please look back at Acts 1 v. 3

Acts 1:3 and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Notice how the book ends Acts 28:31

Acts 28:30-31 (ESV) He [Paul] lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

So What s This Kingdom of God stuff all about?

There is NO Distinction Between Kingdom of Heaven Kingdom of God Kingdom of Christ

Ephesians 5:4-5 (ESV) Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Establishing the Kingdom is So Important It s the first thing Jesus told us to pray about

Luke 11:1-2 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

By studying all 158 references to kingdom in the KJV NT I have come up with 6 ideas about the kingdom

The Kingdom of God 1. God is the King of the Universe who has given his Son the throne and the Kingdom.

1) Matthew 26:29 But I [Jesus] say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father s kingdom.

1) 1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1) Luke 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

1) Revelation 15:3; 17:14 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

The Kingdom of God 1. God is the King who has given his Son the throne and the Kingdom 2. Only believers in the gospel of the resurrected Lord Jesus enter the kingdom

2) Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

2) Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

What is the Gospel? Where are we going to see the most succinct presentation of the gospel in the NT?

Answer 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

2) John 3:3, 5 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God 1. God is the King who has given his Son the throne and the Kingdom 2. Only believers enter the kingdom 3. All of God s enemies will be eventually be destroyed

3) Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

3) 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The Kingdom of God 1. God is the King who has given his Son the throne and the Kingdom 2. Only believers enter the kingdom 3. All enemies will be destroyed 4. When Christ returns his kingdom will absorb all earthly kingdoms

4) Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,

4) Revelation 5:10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.

The Kingdom of God 1. God is the King who has given his Son the throne and the Kingdom 2. Only believers enter the kingdom 3. All enemies will be destroyed 4. When He returns his kingdom will absorb all earthly kingdoms 5. God s Kingdom is everlasting in its duration

5) 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

5) Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

6) Matthew 5:20 From the Sermon on the Mount For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

6) Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

6) Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

6) Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. The deceitfulness of riches that chokes the word (seed)

6) 1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?