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The Acts of The Apostles -The 1st church history Presented by Mary Tinuke Jagun

General Outline Background Content Lessons learned Personal application

Background Author: Generally accepted as Luke, a gentile physician and the writer of the third Gospel. Why? (review of the book report on the Gospel of Luke) Address of Book to the same man as in the third Gospel, Theophilus The assumption that the reader is aware of the happenings in the third Gospel. The remarkable similarity in the author’s style E.g. tender regard for the gentiles and concept that the Gospel is for all men; special treatment of the role of women, etc Date The abrupt ending allows for an early date for the writing suggesting that perhaps it was written during the 2 years Paul spent preaching in Rome which were from 62AD- 64 AD Title It’s not a book about the all the acts of all the apostles as the name might suggest, but just some of the acts of some of the apostles Purposes A biblical history record To reassure next generation Christians of the truth of Christianity Interesting suggestion was made by some theologians that it is a trial brief for the apostle Paul to be presented to Theophilus who might have some power to facilitate apostle Paul’s release from house arrest in Rome Key Verse: Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Outline of the Content (ways of breaking the book into parts) Luke’s style  Multiple-Concentric Model i.e. the development of 3 distinct but overlapping motifs all at the same time This fact poses the challenge one faces when presenting this book

Outline of Content Prologue Witnesses in Jerusalem The coming of the promised Holy Spirit: Pentecost Trailblazing Effects of the Holy Spirit Witnesses in Jerusalem In Judea and Samaria To the ends of the earth: journey to Rome

Prologue Jesus’ post-resurrection/pre-ascension instructions to the apostles Acts 1:4-5 “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Why wait? Rely on God’s Spirit not human effort. For this reason, some have suggested that this book be titled, “The Acts of the Holy Spirit” Key verse 8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Why Jerusalem, then Judea and Samaria, then the ends of the earth? Think globally, but act locally. When we are faithful in Jerusalem, then faithful in Judea and Samaria, we are trained by God to grow and bear the cross of the mission of carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth. Their response to Jesus’ instructions Acts 1:14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” The appointing of Judas’ replacement Matthias is prayerfully chosen heavy dependence on Scripture Ps. 69 and Ps. 109 do not directly refer to Judas but since David was regarded as a type of Messiah, his enemies were regarded as typical of the enemies of Jesus.

The Pentecost (Acts 2) Pentecost (means fiftieth) = Feast of weeks Old Testament History (Lev. 23:15-23) What? Solemn Jewish festival (one of the seven main annual feasts including the Passover, Feast of Unleavened bread, the Feast of the Firstfruits, etc) When? observed on the seventh Sabbath (50 days) after the harvest of the firstfruits Why? Purpose is to remember the giving of the law at M. Sinai which meant that God had entered into covenant with the Jewish nation. Note that the expression “the poor and alien” in Lev. 23:22 refers to Gentiles, so the coming of the Holy Spirit would not be exclusively for the Jews but for Gentiles as well New Testament Fulfillment of prophecy Violent wind, tongues of fire settling on each, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in other tongues understood by residents (Jews and Gentile converts) of Asia, Arabia, Northern Africa and even Rome who were in town for the festival It happened 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Tongues were of temporary purposes, especially for unbelieving Jews see 1Cor. 14:21, 22 “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers” God was entering into a covenant with all those who believed in Jesus, His Son; the speech in other tongues symbolizes that language was to be no barrier in the spread of the gospel. Only 3 times are tongues spoken in Acts (2:1-4; 11:15; 19:6,7) each time, it was a sign that God had brought the Gentiles into the family of believers on the same basis as the Jews. Clearly, the feast was a foreshadow of the coming of the Holy Spirit

Trailblazing Effects of the Holy Spirit 1. The First Christian Sermon (14-41) “a masterpiece” Appeal to the works of Jesus The crowd’s guilt in nailing Jesus to the cross The resurrection of Jesus and promise of the forgiveness and the Spirit to those who repent and believe Three thousand people were “cut to the heart”, believed his message and were baptized. When the Holy Spirit moves, Bible students are cut to the heart and there’s no limit to what God can do. Even America can be a “Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation” 2. The Attitude of the Fellowship of the Believers Verse 42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  4 extremely important aspects of one’s New Life in Christ. Verse 46 “Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts”  I thought we had too many meetings in UBF, but I see that there is no such thing as too many meetings, but perhaps meetings can become cumbersome because of a lack of the Holy Spirit.

Witnesses in Jerusalem Healing of the crippled beggar + sermon Arrest and witness before the Sanhedrin Church life, Ananias and Sapphira Harmony among believers, “all the believers were one in heart and mind.” (4:32) Strict dealings with dishonest members. Miraculous escape and witness before the Sanhedrin Appointment of Greeks as leaders An example of how sometimes, co-working problems can arise where there is close fellowship among believers and the way to solve it is through prayer and delegation. Martyrdom of Stephen Paints a picture of Christ in his… Full-proof, Spirit-filled and unarguable knowledge about the Scripture and the fulfillment of it through Christ His dying words as he was being stoned, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit…Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Summary statement The church in Jerusalem was a happening place, they enjoyed each other’s favor, they were highly regarded among the people and they were fruitful. When you have beautiful fellowship, no one wants to go out, but… The propagation of the ministry was as a result of persecution Acts 8:1 “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.”

Ongoing propagation of the ministry In Judea and Samaria Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch a positive response to the gospel in Samaria Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) In revelation to the disciple Ananias, God says in verse 15, “This is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles…” Healings by Peter Raising of Tabitha “Dorcas”, a disciple back to life Conversion of Cornelius, a centurion: Holy Spirit to the Gentiles (they heard them speaking in other tongues) Peter Defends the conversion of Gentiles in Jerusalem Church (Greek, ecclesia means assembly) at Antioch in Syria The ministry was moving out from Judea and Samaria to the neighboring vicinity of Antioch but at first, most preached to other Jews. It was something like a Korean missionary to America only fishing Korean students in America, but soon after, some preached to non-Jews and they had a successful ministry. They no longer saw themselves in light of their nationalities but an assembly of people from all nations who have come together in the name and mission of Christ First reference to the believer’s as Christians (Christ’s men/followers) because they had Jesus’ name on their lips so much. Ongoing propagation of the ministry Acts 13:3 “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

To the ends of the earth( “The Birth of the Gentile Church”) Now, they began to have a broad vision/ World Mission Vision Cyprus conversion of the Roman proconsul, even the highest ranks of society changed by the Gospel Pisidian Antioch (a Roman colony) John Mark left (modern day Jonah), but the Gospel was honored by the Gentiles here Iconium, Lystra and Derbe  a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed here, but there was also persecution Philippi (leading city of Macedonia (14:11-40))  considered because of the vision of the man of Macedonia Lydia’s heart opened to the Gospel she and her household were baptized and whose house became the location of a small church Imprisonment and Miraculous prison “shake-up” leading to their release, an apology from authorities and proper escort out of prison Thessalonica and Berea  some acceptance of the gospel in Thessalonica but less so than in Berea where there was an unequaled eagerness for the gospel. Athens (Acts 17:21) A University environment: “All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas” The city was full of idols, but in the Areopagus, after hearing the Gospel of the “Unknown God”, few men became followers Corinth church established and nurtured by Paul himself Ephesus (18:18-28) Priscilla and Aquila First pioneering “House Church” mentioned. Troas In Troas, a young man named “Eutychus” whose name means “one who had good fortune” is raised from the dead after he falls asleep and falls 3 stories down during Paul’s preaching. Return to Jerusalem why? he was compelled by the Spirit (20:22) Paul’s imprisonment and Life testimony Journey to Rome exciting sea adventure all part of God’s plan to use it as an opportunity for Paul to gain the respect of the Romans through his shepherding. As a result, Paul had his own personal body guard and preached freely in Rome. Shipwreck and the island Malta Summary statement There’s the misconception that Paul is just jumping from ministry to ministry but it is evident that he is not just randomly spreading the word as he desired, but being carefully led by the Holy Spirit and raising up leaders wherever he went. Similar to M. Paul Oh. Acts 28:31 “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” kinda makes you wonder if it really might be a trial brief in defense of Paul Fitting action packed ending to a book titled “Acts”

Map Showing the spread of the gospel in the early days Map Showing Overview of Regions into which the Gospel spread in the Early Days

Lessons Learned A fruitful Church that is pleasing to God Witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth

Application A fruitful University Bible Fellowship ministry that is pleasing to God Witnesses of Jesus to UMCP, 206 East Coast Campuses and 33 Latin American countries and to the ends of the earth (Moslem and Communist countries)

Personal Application Fruitful shepherdess Witness of Jesus to UMCP, UMAB and to the ends of the earth as a Doctor Missionary, like the author, Luke!

THE END

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