Acts Lesson 01 (Text: Chapter 1)
INTRODUCTION TO ACTS
It has been said that Acts comes right after the “facts” — the four Gospels. The Gospels tell of the life of the Saviour; His perfect life, death and resurrection. Then come the Acts of the Holy Spirit abiding in the saints after our Lord Jesus Christ goes back to heaven. Acts begins with Pentecost, uniting believers, empowering believers to go into the entire world, spreading the gospel. It shows of the church among the Jews, then the church among Gentiles. Notice as you read and study Acts; the phrases “filled with the Holy Ghost”. Always notice the verses after this phrase. The result was that souls were saved. Read Acts 1:4, and then see 2:41. There are always souls saved and praise to God. See Acts 3:8; 4:12, 31-33. Note 4:33, “great power”, “great grace”, 5:5 “great fear”. Acts 5:29 is a great verse to remember. Notice that when one group rejected the gospel, the Spirit moved to others. Although the religious crowd tried to stop the spreading of the gospel, yet the Holy Spirit moved in His church to “keep on keeping on”. The church generally does much better under persecution. This is because the church has no one to rely on but the Lord. Notice Paul’s missionary journeys and how churches were planted. Paul had a great burden not only to win the lost and plant churches, but that the saints would grow in the Lord. The heart of God is to reach the souls of mankind. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all are saved and are allowing the Spirit to lead and control their lives. As you read and study Acts, do not just see all the wonders and miracles of the Spirit, but instead notice closely that souls are being saved. After all, that is why Jesus came. That is why the Spirit was sent; to convert precious sinners, resulting in their becoming saints.
KEY VERSE: Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
KEY WORD: WITNESS (Found thirty times)
KEY THEME: POWER OF GOD FOR WITNESSING
DATE: 63 AD (Covers a period of thirty-two years) WRITER: LUKE (Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3, II Timothy 4:11) WRITTEN TO: THEOPHILUS (Lover of God – Friend of God) FROM: ROME
THE BOOK: NO. IN BIBLE – 44TH BOOK; NO. OF CHAPTERS- 28; NO. OF VERSES – 1,007 NO. IN ORDER OF WRITING – 5TH IN NEW TESTAMENT.
PURPOSE: TO SET FORTH GOD’S PLAN FOR WITNESSING TO THE LOST. In the key verse (1:8), the disciples were told to witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost part of the earth. 1. The witness in Jerusalem recorded in Ch. 1-7. 2. The witness in Judea and Samaria recorded in Ch. 8-12. 3. The witness in the uttermost part of the earth recorded in Ch. 13-28.
DIVISIONS: Peter and the Church at Jerusalem Ch. 1-12 Jews. Paul and the Church at Antioch Ch. 13-28 Gentiles.
OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION: 1. God’s Man Simon (Peter) 2. God’s Martyr Stephen 3. God’s Missionary Saul (Paul). I. THE CHURCH EMPOWERED IN THE UPPER ROOM (1:12-2:47). II. THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED IN JERUSALEM (3-7). III. THE CHURCH EXTENDED TO JUDEA AND SAMARIA (8:1-9:43). IV. THE CHURCH ENLIGHTENED CONCERNING GENTILES (10-12). V. THE CHURCH ENLARGED TO UTTERMOST PARTS (13-28).
MISCELLANEOUS: GIVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING IN THE BOOK OF ACTS: 1. THE PERSON: LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2. THE POWER: HOLY SPIRIT. 3. THE PREACHERS: PETER, PAUL, STEPHEN, PHILLIP. 4. THE PLACES: JERUSALEM, ANTIOCH, ROME. 5. THE PROGRAM: MISSIONS, WITNESSING. THE BOOK OF ACTS: 1. Covers a thirty-three year span of time. 2. Records the Acts of the Holy Spirit. 3. Contains twenty-two sermons on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. 4. Is a record of actual history. 5. Is an instruction manual for Christians. 6. Gives an exposition of Christian doctrines. 7. Contains a number of thumbnail biographies. 8. Has a strong missionary emphasis. 9. Records several notable conversion stories. 10. Stirs revival and builds up those who read Acts.
SEVERAL MISSIONARIES IN ACTS: 1. BARNABAS MISSIONARY EXHORTER (11:22-23). 2. SAUL (PAUL) MISSIONARY TEACHER (11:26). 3. JOHN MARK MISSIONARY HELPER (13:5). 4. SILAS MISSIONARY EVANGELIST (15:40-41). 5. TIMOTHY MISSIONARY PASTOR (16:1). 6. LUKE MISSIONARY DOCTOR (16:10-13). 7. APOLLOS MISSIONARY ORATOR (18:24, 27, 28). 8. AQUILLA MISSIONARY TENTMAKER (18:18). 9. PRISCILLA MISSIONARY ASSISTANT (18:2, 18, 26).
DIFFERENCES IN EARLY CHURCH AND PRESENT CHURCH: THEN: Receptive to Word of God. Obedient to Spirit. Added to Church. Continued in Prayer. Steadfast in Service. Fearful of God. Sold Possessions. One Accord. House to House. Glad. Praised God. NOW: Rebellious to Word of God. Disobedient to Spirit. Subtracted from Church. Ceased Praying. Unstable in Service. No Fear of God. Keep Our Possessions. Discord. Church to Church. Sad. Praise Man.
