Study1. Acts Overview (I)

 1. Look at Luke’s prologue to his whole work (see Luke 1:1-4). What does he say Luke-Acts is meant to be? 

 "...to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us...to write an orderly account...that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."

• An accurate narrative from eyewitnesses 
• Orderly
• To bring certainty about received teaching
  

 

  2. In Acts 1:1-2, Luke summarizes volume 1 (Luke’s gospel) as an introduction to volume 2 (Acts). He says the gospel is about “all that Jesus began to do and to teach” until His ascension into heaven forty days after the resurrection. If Luke’s gospel is about what Jesus began to do and to teach, what is Acts probably about? 

 All that Jesus continued to do and to teach via His apostles.

 3. What does Acts 1:8 tell you about the purpose of the book? 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

= The empowerment and growth of the church going forth to the nations. 

 4. Read 1:15, 2:41, 4:4, 5:14, 6:7, 9:31, 12:24, 16:5, 19:20, and 28:31. a. What do these verses have in common, and what progression do you see? b. What does this pattern tell you about Acts?

1:15  In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said...

2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

4:4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5:14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

6:7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 

9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 

12:24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. 

16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 

19:20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. 

28:31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. 

 

There is indication of numerical growth of the church

The growth is also called the increase of "the word of the Lord" (12:24, 19:20)  

 

Acts is a history of the growth of the early church  to reach the nations.

 

6. One main character dominates the whole of Acts. Who is that character, and what are some of his effects? (1:8, 2:4, 4:8, 31; 8:39, 9:31, 13:4, 15:28, 16:6-10, 20:22-24, 21:10-11) 

The Holy Spirit

 

1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.  

4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 

4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

8:39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing  

9:31  So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 

13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 

15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 

 16:6-10 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul[a] had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them
20:22-24  22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
21:10-11 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

 

The Spirit gives power for witness and worldwide missions

The Spirit gives gifts, including the gift of tongues

 The Spirit gives boldness to individuals in testifying to Jesus

The Spirit comes on the church to witness as we pray.

The Spirit does miracles

The Spirit gives comfort to the church so it can multiply

The Spirit directs the details of missions 

The Spirit gives wisdom for decisions to be taken by the church.

The Spirit leads individuals to specific directions in life and fortells what may occur

The Spirit empowers prophets to tell the future.