Study of Acts of the Apostles pt. 1

Define “act” - anything done, being done, or to be done; deed

The Book of Acts focuses on the deeds/activities of the apostles.

What is an apostle and how is an apostle different from a disciple? A disciple is a student/learner/ pupil. An apostle (Greek word- Apostolos) is a messenger sent to spread a message. In the case of the Book of Acts the message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Author – Luke, author of Gospel of Luke. He was a Greek which meant he was a Gentile (a non-Jew.) He played an active role in the growth of Christianity. Luke joined Paul on his missionary journeys. In Colossians 4:14, Paul referred to Luke as a physician which meant he was well educated. Luke’s educational background produced a well organized and detailed account of the birth and development of the Church.

When – Written about 70 A.D.

Where – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and eastern Roman Empire.

Purpose – The purpose of the book of Acts was to tell the story of the origins of the Church for future generations to remember and reflect on. Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, wrote in a letter to her friend during the dark days of the American Revolution: "Posterity, who are to reap the blessings, will scarcely be able to conceive the hardships and sufferings of their ancestors." In studying the roles played by the Founding Fathers and Mothers – sacrifices made (family, wealth, life itself) we gain a renewed appreciation/respect for what they did. We also answer the question, what have we, “the posterity,” done with the blessings that came from the hardships and sufferings of our ancestors? Consequently, through the study of history, we also learn about ourselves as Americans – the bad and good. Apply what we just talked about to the book of Acts. In studying the roles played by the Apostles and other individuals in the birth and development of the Church (Within 30 years, Christianity spread from 120 people in Jerusalem to thousands of people in the eastern Roman Empire.) – sacrifices made (family, wealth, life itself) we gain a renewed appreciation/respect for what they did. We also answer the question, what have we, “the posterity,” done with the blessings that came from the hardships and sufferings of our Christian ancestors? Consequently, through the study of history, we also learn about ourselves as Christians – the bad and good.

Outline -
I. Birth of the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 1-8:3)
II. The Church spreads to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:4-12)
III. The Church spreads to rest of the world – the Journeys of Paul (Acts 13-28)

Key verse: but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Interesting facts – The followers of Jesus in the book of Acts were first referred to not as the Church or Christians but the Way. The term has its origins in John 14:6 - Jesus said … "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” That was message being spread by the first believers.