In order to ascertain the purpose of the book of acts, we must start with the realization that acts is the second part of a two part work. In the first book, o theophilus, i have dealt with all that jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up from us. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. The new testament without the book of acts leaves a great yawning gap. It is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. Whats the importance of the studying of the date of a given book gospels, epistlse, etc. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. The gospel of luke and the book of acts are written as. It shows how the holy spirit worked through the apostles of jesus in the life of the early church. Luke acts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. The power of the holy spirit to perform signs and wonders to confirm the preaching of the word c. Read acts 8 commentary using wesleys explanatory notes.
Oct 12, 20 the book of acts niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 44 duration. At that time there was great persecution against the church their adversaries having tasted blood, were the. The authorship of acts is ascribed to luke for these reasons. Acts ends with paul under house arrest, awaiting trial before caesar, c.
The kids ages 7 have been entertaining themselves in various ways. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. The book of acts niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 44 duration. Both were written by luke, a physician who traveled with the apostle paul. It has also been shown to be a book that is accurate historically. It makes reference to about 100 geographical places including regions, provinces, cities, and islands around or near the mediterranean sea. Therein lies the awesome privilege we have today, as. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke. While acts is a record of history, luke weaves many theological themes into these stories to teach us about god and his mission. Who doesnt like sequels to their favorite books or movies. The purpose of the accompanying chart is to assist you in. Keener, awardwinning scholar and author of one of the largest and most thoroughly documented acts commentaries available, provides students with an introduction to the book of acts that focuses on such fundamentals as genre and historical context. By carefully noting the use of we and they in the book of acts, we glean.
How did the residents of jerusalem react to the church. The most probable explanation for leaving the reader in suspense is that the outcome of pauls appeal had not yet been decided when the book was being written. Well try to put the book of acts in context to prepare us to take on the text. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on. A 35 outline study of the birth and growth of the church of christ. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses.
A chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. Acts of the apostles a study of new testament history overview introduction. He also explores key themes including mission, ethnic reconciliation, and evangelism and discusses the spirits power to bring these. In what acts did the early church continue steadfastly in. Two dates are possible for the writing of the book of acts. To equip one another to imitate the role models of the early church. Introduction to the book of acts acts study guide medium. Introducing the book of acts the prophets of old had foretold of the last days when the christ would come into the world, establish the lords kingdom, and reign as king. Acts, as it is commonly called, is a second volume of the. The book of acts records the spread of the gospel from jerusalem to rome. If the book of acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it the last recorded fact about jesus in the gospel of matthew is the resurrection. The gospel of luke records what jesus began both to do and teach in his human body, and the book of acts tells us what jesus continued to do and teach through his spiritual body, the church. Luke is uniformly identified as the author acts by the second century a.
Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for. A 35outline study of the birth and growth of the church of christ. As a mathscience tutor i find these lessons extremely helpful when introducing concepts to my students or reinforcing. How were matthew, mark, luke and john named and can you tell me something about the authors of these books. The main issues revolve around whether he is a man perhaps a greek official for whom lukeacts is an apologetic for the gospel or a kind of generic everyman since the name means lover of god. The book of acts was written within the lifetime of most of the eyewitnesses of the life, death and resurrection of jesus christ. The book of acts is also the account of the work of the holy spirit in and through the church. It has challenged our theology and the depth of our relationship with christ and the holy spirit. The book of acts ends abruptly with pauls imprisonment in rome. The preaching of the gospel of jesus and his kingdom b. This would mean it was sent throughout most of the ancient mediterranean world.
Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. My prayer is that as you meet the conditions of gods promise to joshua, and you do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth. Authorship of actsluke is the author of the book acts. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. Acts of the apostles introduction title commonly called the acts.
The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Many scholars assume acts was written then because it does not record pauls defense, release, and further gospel preaching. May 15, 2005 introduction to the book of acts the book we know as the acts of the apostles has also been, probably more accurately called the acts of the holy spirit through the apostles. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. And, when the book of acts begins, he carefully outlines what he has written in the book of luke, as i read already. The book of acts mentions about 100 individuals by name. The book is called acts or the acts of the apostles because it contains an account of some of the apostles. The book of acts bible study and ministry resources. The events described in acts occurred over a period of about 30 years about a. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use.
The preparation of the leaders of the jerusalem church for the gentile mission 11. You will receive power when the holy spirit comes on you. Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study acts. Acts intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Read introducing the new testament drane,bottom paragraph of p. The book is most commonly called the acts of the apostles, although it is quite probable that, in its original form, it had no title at all. Without this historical record, little would be known about the expansion of the church. It is the greatest sequel ever written, the sequel of sequelsthe sequel to the story of christ see 1. There is a conjunction between three elements as the gospel goes forth.
In fact, the work is given in detail of only two of the apostles, peter and paul. To learn more about the book of acts and the whole bible so you are better prepared to share the gospel and disciple others, consider an online biblical studies degree at trinitys college of biblical studies. He shows us how god is working and speaking in this story and our own stories. Acts tells of the witness of the early church to the truth of the gospela theme first introduced in 1. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. Charts about the book of acts return to top of page. A 35outline study of the birth and growth of the church of christ sproule ii, david e on. Two lines of argument lead to the conclusion that luke, the friend, fellow missionary. Especially their worship, leadership, sharing, perseverance, and involvement in the great commission.
That is exactly what the acts of the apostles book is. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. Book of acts bible study for childrens sunday school. One cannot read this book and deny the power of it. Acts continues from there on starting with christs resurrection. The books of acts is often called the book of the holy spirit or the book of the apostles. Finishing with a quote from this book, as a result of the coming of the spirit, as told in acts. Acts reveals a progression of the gospel that divides the book into six parts. A good study bible we recommend the following features. The waiting period introduction the gospel story has a sequel. The recipient of the book, theophilus, is the same person addressed in the first volume, the gospel of luke see introduction to luke. Joshua jipp walks through the story of the early church as narrated in the book of acts. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles.
There seems to have been a threefold purpose for the writing of acts. Study of acts discussion notes chapter 8 introduction our study of the book of acts has been informative and challenging. The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. Here are some of the key themes that luke highlights for. It is the greatest sequel ever written, the sequel of sequelsthe sequel to. At the end of each section is a summary statement 6. When we study the gospel of luke, we have three other gospel accounts with which to. June 27, 2014 james is an intensely practical book, filled with exhortations to christians about the way they should live their lives now that they have been given new life in jesus.
Two lines of argument lead to the conclusion that luke, the friend, fellow. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. It might also be called the acts of the holy spirit, as that person of the godhead is very much an active participant throughout the book. An introduction to the gospels and acts is a current, concise, and clear introduction to the historical study of the gospels and acts. My life group started studying the book of acts at homes. Today begins a study of the book of acts in this daily bible study series. Luke described to theophilus in his first letter about jesus life up to the resurrection. Over the centuries it has been called simply acts, or the acts eusebius. Chart about the cases of conversion in acts study about the cases of conversion in acts discourses of acts miracles of acts chronology of acts and the epistles timeline. In these next few lessons, were are going to be diving into some background material for acts.
Matthew seemed to be obsessed with the idea of the kingdom of god and its beginnings in the book that bears his name. Mar 18, 2010 my life group started studying the book of acts at homes. Davidistre abstract% thistrainingcoursestudies thebook ofacts toprovideinsightintotheway theearlychurchworkedand. To better understand the growth and practices of the new testament church. Hopefully, youve had a chance to complete the suggested assignments in our bible study of acts orientation. Rather, the focus is clearly on some of the acts or deeds of mostly peter the key figure in the first half and paul the key figure in the second.
Oct 04, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of acts is the only historical record of the birth and early days following christs establishing his church. Archaeological findings support the accuracy of lukes account. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. A 35 outline study of the birth and growth of the church of christ sproule ii, david e on. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. You will see how the early church grew from a tiny jewish sect after the death and resurrection of jesus into a multiethnic community that spread throughout the ancient world to the ends of the earth. It is an excellent resource for new testament introduction courses in colleges and seminaries, particularly because many students today find the historical dimensions of gospel study so challenging. Without the book of acts, our knowledge of the early history of the church would be limited to the small amount provided by the new testament epistles.
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