1. AUTHOR. Luke, the beloved physician.
2. Luke’s original plan was to write two volumes.
a. Verse 1 of Acts refers to an earlier volume written to Theophilus: The book of Luke can qualify as that “former treatise.”
b. The first is being the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The second dealt with the history and outreach of the early church.
3. Volume #1 is a record of what Jesus began both to do and to teach. (Gospel of Luke)
4. Volume #2 revealed what Christ continued to do and teach through the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles. (Acts of the Apostles)
a. Luke researched the content of the Gospel of Luke he no doubt used the same techniques for Acts.
b. Being acquainted firsthand with Paul, his missionary activities, also with Silas, Timothy, Mark as well as many others, we can expect the detailed authentic account we find in the Book of Acts.
5. Many Bible students see in the book the formal beginning of the age of the Holy Spirit.
6. Christ as He departs announces the beginning of a great campaign of worldwide missions, under the power of the Spirit, 1:8.
Lets divide the book may be divided into two parts.
First: the period of home missions. Second: the period of foreign missions.
1. The Period of Home Missions, with Jerusalem as the center.
a. The work mainly in Palestine among the Jews, the apostle Peter being the most prominent figure.
b. The divine commission,
Acts 1: 4-8.
“Do not leave Jerusalem. Wait for the promise of the Father.
c. The ascending Lord,
Acts 1:10-11.
As they watched him go an angel said, Why are you looking into the sky? This Jesus will come again. The same way you saw him
d. The descending Spirit,
Acts 2:1-4.
On a special day (Pentecost) The room filled with noise from above. (Rushing wind)They saw tongues of fire setting upon everyone in the room. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
e. The workers' equipment,
Acts 4:3
When they prayed, heaven shook the place where they were. They were filled with the Spirit. They spoke the Word of God with boldness.
2. Peter at Pentecost, 3,000 people became Christians
Acts 2:14-40.
Peter stood up and began to preach boldly.
He spoke from the book of Joel.
He preaches Jesus the Son of God, and you must repent.
They were convicted and cried out “brethren what must we do”?
Let all the houses of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--. This Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?". Repent. And be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3. Peter's second sermon, A lame man is healed.
Acts 3:1-8
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. [2] And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; [3] who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. [4] And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." [5] So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. [6] Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." [7] And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. [8] So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. [NKJV]
- This is not by our power we did this.
- This was done by faith in the name of Jesus whom you hung on a cross.
- Believe on his name also that your sins may be wiped away.
- Repent therefore and return that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
- God spoke of the covenant saying to Abraham, ' And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'
4. Peter's address to the Sanhedrin,
Acts 4:5-12.
The religious leaders of the Jews asked, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" 2. Peter full of the Spirit said. 3. that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified. 4. God raised from the dead-- 5. by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 6. And there is salvation in no one else; And it came about on the next day, that their rulers, elders, scribes along with Annas the high priest came together. they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man. let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."
5. The ministry Of Stephen, (they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.) Acts 7:1-60.
a. Disciples were increasing greatly in Jerusalem.
b. A great number of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
c. And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
d. Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."
e. Stephen began at Abraham and taught them Jewish history.
f. God doesn’t live in a house made with hands.
g. You are uncircumcised in heart.
h. Your Ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit.
i. They are uncircumcised in heart.
j. Your ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit.
k. You are betrayers, and murderers just like your fathers.
l. Being full of the Spirit, Stephen said. “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
m. They stoned Stephen and killed him.
6. Philip and Peter, Acts 8:5-25.
a. Phillip started a meeting in Samaria and it grew into a major move of God.
b. Peter came down and laid hands on the new believers and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
c. Simon wanted the authority and ability to lay his hands on people for profit. Peter rebuked him.
d. They started back to Jerusalem. Preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
7. Of Philip, Acts 8:26-40.
a. An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.)
b. An Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,
c. he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot."
d. "Do you understand what you are reading?" "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" 8. " He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth.
e. "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" he ordered the chariot to stop they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch.
f. the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. the eunuch but went on his way rejoicing. Philip found himself at Azotus. as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities. he came to Caesarea
8. The growth of the church.
a. Acts 2:47 “. . . the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
b. Acts 2:41 “. . . . there were added that day about three thousand souls.
c. Acts 4:4 “. . . the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
d. Acts 5:14 “. . . multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number
e. Acts 6:7 And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, . . . “
f. Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
g. Acts 11:21 “ . . . a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
h. Acts 11:24 “. . . . And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
i. Acts 14:1 “. . . . a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.
j. Acts 16:5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.
k. Acts 17:4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.
l. Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.
m. The filling of, with the Holy Spirit, 4:31. When they had prayed, the place was shaken, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak the word of God with boldness.
9. The unity and benevolence. 4:32-37.32
a. Those who believed were of one heart and soul;
b. Not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own; but all things were common property to them.
c. With great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection.
d. Abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them,
e. For all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, lay them at the apostles' feet. And they would be distributed to each, as any had need.
10. The spiritual power 5:12-16.
a. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders. The people were all with one accord.
b. A Godly fear, none of the rest dared to associate with them.
c. The believers were held in high esteem. multitudes of men and women of believers were constantly added to their number.
d. They even carried the sick out into the streets, and laid them on cots and pallets. when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on any one of them.
e. People from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits; and they were all being healed.
11. The appointment of deacons, 6:1-6.
a. Not all the widows were being cared for.
b. Apostles said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
c. Choose Qualified men, good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.
d. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
12. The persecutions of the church,
Acts 4:1-3,
a. And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them and put them in jail until the next day.
b. Don’t speak or teach any more to any man in this name.
c. Peter and John answered. “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge. We cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard. "
d. They let them go. The people were all glorifying God for what had happened; The man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Acts 5:17-18, 40:
a. But the high priest rose up was filled with jealousy; Laid hands on the apostles, and put them in a public jail.
b. They flogged them Ordered them to speak no more in the name of Jesus, Then released them.
Acts 6:8-15
a. Stephen was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
b. The Synagogue of the Freedmen rose up and argued with Stephen.
c. They were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit.
d. They put forward false witnesses against him.
e. They stirred up the people and the elders. He was stoned to death.
13. Persecutions under Saul of Tarsus, 8:1-3;
a. Saul was in agreement with putting him to death.
b. And a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem;
c. And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria,
d. Except the apostles.
e. Saul began ravaging the church,
f. Entering house after house;
g. Dragging off men and women,
h. He would put them in prison.
14. The Period of Foreign Missions. 9:1-30.
a. Opening with Jerusalem as the center of operations, Which was soon transferred to Antioch in Syria.
15. The conversion of Paul, who becomes the great missionary and the leading figure in the church during this period, 9:1-22
a. Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples. He went to the high priest, for letters of authority to persecute the church in Jerusalem.
16. Paul’s heavenly visitation near Damascus.
b. "Who art Thou, Lord?" is a significant statement.
17. Jesus’ statement is also very significant. "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,. This isn’t the traditional conversion. No! Jesus immediacy began to give him assignments.
c. Get up, go to town, and there I’ll tell you what you must do.
d. Saul was blind and was led to Damascus.
e. For three days he was blind, and he fasted, no water or food for 3 days.
f. Ananias had a vision from the Lord. Go to Straight Street and find Saul, who is praying. He also has seen a vision that you will come to him. Ananias was frightened to go.
18. God said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake. "
a. Ananias went, prayed for Saul could see, was filled with the Spirit and was baptized.
b. Had fellowship with believers for several days. He began to preach, "He is the Son of God." He wasn’t trusted at first.
c. He confounded the Jews at Damascus. by proving the Jesus is the Christ. They devised a plan to kill him. He escaped over a wall in a basket.
d. The disciples were afraid of him in Jerusalem. Barnabas took him to the apostles. As he preached in Jerusalem again they was going to put him to death. They sent him to Tarsus.
19. The broadening of Peter's views by his vision at Joppa, resulting in his ministry among the Gentiles at Caesarea, 10:1-43.
a. Cornelius, a gentile, saw an angel in vision from God. Send to Joppa for a man named Peter.
b. Peter went up on the housetop to pray. He fell into a trance and saw a sheet with animals.
c. God said slay and eat. Peter being a Jew, didn’t eat certain animals on the sheet.
d. Cornelius boys came & God said Peter go with them to Caesarea. And on the following day he entered Caesarea.
e. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
f. And when it came about that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man."
g. And as he talked with him, he entered, and found many people assembled. And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. "That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. And so I ask for what reason you have sent for me?"
h. Cornelius said, "Four days ago at the ninth hour, as I prayed. God said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.
i. 'Send therefore to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; So I sent for you immediately. You have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,
20. He preached to them Jesus the Son of God. 10:44-11:18. 44
a. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles at Caesarea and the vindication of Peter's ministry there,
b. And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.
c. Then Peter answered, "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
d. When Peter came up to Jerusalem, he took some heat. Those who were circumcised took issue with him, saying, "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."
21. The sanction of the work at Antioch by Barnabas, the representative of the church at Jerusalem, 11:22-24.
a. A church sprang up in Antioch. 11:25-26.
b. The Jerusalem brothers sent Barnabas to check it out. When he saw he rejoiced encouragement them to remain true.
c. The bringing of Paul from Tarsus to Antioch by Barnabas and the cooperation of the two men in establishing the church in the place where the disciples were first called Christians,
d. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; He brought him to Antioch.
e. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
22.The persecution of the church at Jerusalem by Herod. 12:1-19.
a. The death of James and the imprisonment and deliverance of Peter,
b. Herod had James the brother of John put to death with a sword when he saw that it pleased the Jews
c. He proceeded to arrest Peter also. He put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, Prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door.
d. An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared And he struck Peter's side and roused him, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. The angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." He said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." And he did so.
e. Thinking he was seeing a vision he follow the angel. In the street the angel departed. Rhoda answered his knock then shut the door without letting him in. The church was praying but didn’t believe when it happened.
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