Introduction to Acts of the Apostles

Now that summer is over, it’s time for Bible Study Fellowship to begin.  I am looking forward to seeing what God has for us as we begin the study of the Acts of the Apostles.  For me this will be the second time for this study.  The first was in 2011 for which I also have posts.  Each time I study I find God has something new for me to learn as I know you will, too.  I hope you continue following my weekly posts.  Keep in mind that I’m not a Bible scholar, but a Bible follower sharing with you what God has taught me through His Word.

Acts was written by Luke who also wrote the book of Luke.  Luke was a medical doctor and the only New Testament writer who was identified as a non-Jew.  Luke was a Greek who had a close fellowship with the Jews.  He wrote both books addressing the same person, Theophilus.  He wrote these books so Theophilus would know for certain about Jesus.  Luke wanted to give him a firm foundation based on the eyewitness testimony given by men who weren’t gaining anything personal.  He shows us how the Gospel was not only for the Jews but included the Gentiles.  (A Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew.)

In the book of Acts we are taught about the start of the church and how the church spread from Jerusalem to Rome.  We see how the Jews rejected the Jesus and His Gospel.  We see how God sent the apostles to the Gentiles who accepted the Gospel.  We learn a lot about Peter and Paul.  Peter was central in starting the church and Paul was a very important missionary.   We see how these two men worked together with many others to do the Lord’s work.  We also see how the early church was treated because of the Gospel. 

The book shows that God is not respecter of persons.  He cares about individuals from every walk of life and background.  The main theme of the book is that the Gospel in not just for Jews, but for all people.  It is to God’s glory to save all men and women.  God does not discriminate.

The message in Acts is centered on the resurrection of Jesus, which authenticates Jesus is alive and is the Christ.  The apostles were given miraculous power which authenticated them as God’s witness to Jesus and His resurrection.

Prayer is prominent in Acts.  Luke records specific prayers in Acts 1:24-25; 4:24-26; 7:59-60.  The book shows that praise is normal and part of the true Christian life.  We see people filled with the Holy Spirit. 

 

The purpose of Acts

To emphasize the power of Holy Spirit and His work to forgive all who believe

To show God’s sovereignty

To show the importance of prayer and teaching God’s Word

To show the mission to all people and how to evangelize

To show the life and organization of the church

Acts is considered one of the most important books of the Bible.  Acts 1:8 is the heart of the study and the Holy Spirit is the main Character.

 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Who is the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Spirit is the Third Member of the Holy Trinity.  He is the aspect of God that lives and empowers and inspires man.  The Holy Spirit has a work among those who are not yet believers, but also a great and significant work in those who believe.

Principle:  The growth of the Church rests on the living resurrected Christ.

Two great truths in this study:

Christianity is a faith rooted in history and is God’s revelation of Himself in the person of Jesus Christ.

God is at work in history through His church and Jesus is the historical foundation of our faith.  Jesus began the work and His church continues it.

Are you committed to God’s work through His church?

Are you a servant of Jesus Christ and fully committed and obedient to His cause?

Join me here next week as we begin our study of the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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