New Testament Survey: Book of Acts

The Author
Luke is assigned as the author.
* The book is addressed to Theophilus (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1, 2) former treatise

Identical in style to Luke. Historical sequence to the gospel of Luke. Written in first-person plural (we). The writer was an eye-witness to what he was writing. (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 27:1; 28:16)

When the Book Was Written

Coincides reasonably with the close of the historical account. Paul is still alive and in a Roman prison. History recorded in Acts would not have ended so abruptly if Pauls death had already occurred. Written prior to 70 A.D. and after Paul reached Romeprobably around 63 A.D.

The Books Audience

Intended for a wider reading audience than just Theophilus. Origin of Christianitys beginning among the Jews. Much of the book is concerned with the transfer of the center of interest from Jerusalem to Antioch. Spreading the gospel to the known Gentile world. Historical account to meet the need of both Jews and Gentiles (1:8)

The Books Purpose

Historical Motive
See Luke 1:4 and Acts 1:5. Acts gives a history of the continuation of Jesus work, by the Holy Spirit, through the Apostles. The final instruction (1:8)

The Books Purpose

The Defense Motive
In Acts, every contact with government officials receives a favorable hearing or is ignored.
Acts 13Sergius Paulus Acts 16:35-39officials at Philippi Acts 19:31officals at Ephesus Acts 24-26Felix, Festus, and Agrippa

The Books Purpose

The Biographical Motive
Luke divided the Acts historical record into two different sections biographical in nature:
Chapters 1-12history of Peters work Chapters 13-28the apostles work with the GentilesPaul!

Contents and Character

The book, Acts of the Apostles, records for us the history of Christianitys beginning, growth, and spread during at least the first 30 years--from Christs ascension to Pauls imprisonment in Rome.

Contents and Character

The Apostolic Office and Work
Apostolic office in operation doing the work that Jesus selected and trained the apostles to do.
Witnesses for Christ (1:8, 21, 22) Eye and ear witnesses of that about which they bore testimony (1:2; 26:1618; 2 Peter 1:16-21; 1 John 1:1-4)

Contents and Character

The Apostolic Office and Work
A competent witness must give clear and accurate testimony.
Guided by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-13) Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20; Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-32) Sat upon thrones with authority to rule over the church (Matthew 19:28; Acts 2:42; 15; Galatians 2:1-9; 1 John 4:6)

Contents and Character

The Holy Spirits Work
His mission was first promised by Christ.
John 14:16,17, 25,26; 16:7-15; Acts 1:8

Promise fulfilled on Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-4 Acts 2:15-21 Acts 2:33

Contents and Character

The Holy Spirits Work
Reveal the gospel.
Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 3:3-5

Confirm the word by miracles.

Mark 16:15-20 Acts 6:6-8; 8:6-13; 19:6 Hebrews 2:1-4

Contents and Character

The Holy Spirits Work
Convict and convert the sinners.
John 16:8-11

Continue to guide and direct the apostles.

Acts 5:32 Acts 4:31 Acts 9:31 Romans 8:14

Contents and Character

The Preaching of the Gospel
Given by a variety of expressions The message preached and the different circumstances under which it was preached. Continued steadfastly
Acts 2:42

Spoke the word of God; preach the word; the word of the Lord
Acts 4:31; 13:44; 14:25; 18:11; 15:35-36; 16:32

Contents and Character

The Preaching of the Gospel
Teach and preach Christ
Acts 5:42; 8:5, 35; 9:20; 11:20 Preaching the things of the kingdom

of God; name of Christ

Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23; 28:31

Contents and Character

The Preaching of the Gospel
Preach the gospel
Acts 14:7-21; 16:10

Decrees to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem
Acts 16:4

Contents and Character

The Preaching of the Gospel
The way of salvation more accurately
Acts 16:17; 18:26

Reasoned with them from the Scriptures

Acts 17:2

Shrank not from declaring anything that was profitable; Gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:20, 24, 27

Contents and Character

Story of Conversion
A number of conversions are related. All have several things in common. In each case, the gospel was preached. None occurred separate and apart from the preaching of the word; not by any miraculous event!

Contents and Character

Story of Conversion
Saved by the gospelbecause they believed the truth preached.

Faith in the gospel they heard always produced the commanded work of obedience to Gods will! See next chart

Case
Jews Samaritans Eunuch Saul Cornelius

Believe
Acts 2:36 Acts 8:12 Acts 8:36-37

Repent
Acts 2:38

Confess

Baptism
Acts 2:38 Acts 8:12ff

Acts 8:37

Acts 8:38 Acts 22:16

Acts 10:43

Acts 11:15

Acts 10:48

Lydia
Jailor Corinthians

Acts 16:15
Acts 16:31 Acts 18:8 Acts 16:33 Acts 16:33 Acts 18:8

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
What it was, of whom it consisted, its organization, its mission and work, its worship, and its growth and development. We can learn about the church in the beginning when it was under apostolic guidanceas designed and built by God. It must be the same today!

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Made up of those who believed and obeyed the gospel demands and were added to the saved by the Lord.
Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:42; 11:24; 13:12; 13:48; 14:1; 17:4; 12:12; 17:34; 28:24; 2:47

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Identity of the church and its singularity are easily distinguishable in the Acts historical record
Vital activity (Acts 2:42) Organization of early church (Acts 14:23) Worship of that church (Acts 11:25,26) Purity (Acts 5:11)

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Its work
Evangelism
Acts 11:19,20 (personal) Acts 11:22 (congregational)

Funds were sent directly to the preacher. (Philippians 1:5 - 2:25; 4:14-16; 2 Cor.11:7-9)

No example of one church sending to another church to help with the preachers support!

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Its work
Benevolent work
Church providing for its own needy. Acts 2, 4, and 6 Churches unable to care for their own. Acts 11:29-31 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 2 Corinthians 8, 9

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Pattern of benevolent work
Contributing church raised its own funds from its own memberseach according to his ability.
Acts 11:27-30 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Pattern of benevolent work
Contributing church selected its own messengers to carry its contribution to the needy church. Delivered to the church elders.
Acts 11:27-30 2Corinthians 8,9

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Pattern of benevolent work
In no case did any contributing church send through the agency of another churchno centralized oversight! One churchs eldership did not usurp another elderships authority or oversight.

Contents and Character

Story of the Church
Met the problem of false doctrine by appealing to authority.
Acts 15:1, 5,22,40

Each church edified by its own elders, through its own program of teaching and encouragement from gospel preachers.
Acts 11:22; 13:1-3; 16:40; 20:1,32