The Book of Acts

Schedule Jan. 4 – Intro and 1 Jan. 11 – 2 Jan. 18 – 3 Jan. 25 – 4 Feb. 1 – 5 Feb. 8 – 6/7 Feb. 15 – 8 Feb. 22 – 9 Mar. 1 – Mar 8 – 11/12 (Franklin) Mar. 15 – 13/14 Mar. 22 – 15 Mar. 29 – 16 Apr. 5 – 17 Apr. 12 – 18/19 (Hopkinsville) Apr. 19 – 19/20 Apr. 26 – 21 May 3 – 22 May 10 – 23/24 May 17 – 25 May 24 – 26/27 May 31 – 28

What to expect from this class Not possible to devote time to every verse, but the main lessons from each chapter will be covered. Some handouts will be provided with additional material and some homework. Mostly lecture due to the size of the class, but feel free to raise a point or a question. Please bring your Bibles and read the assigned text before the class if possible.

Author Luke, the physician, is generally held as the author of both the Gospel of Luke as well as Acts. Both are written to Theophilus. These two books chronicle the life of Christ and the early stages of the church.

Author Sir William Ramsay, archaeologist, wanted to prove Luke to be in error in his writings. His research convinced him otherwise. “Luke is a historian of the first rank; not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense…in short, this author should be placed along with the greatest of historians.”

Date Acts ends abruptly just before Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome ends. That would be around 62/63. Likely that this was written by Luke while he was in Rome with Paul during this time. Some give a later date, but if so, Luke omits several milestones of historical significance. Date of 62 or 63 is probably right.

Purpose Acts is a complex book with many themes which could easily lay claim to the purpose. Generally, the purpose was to tell the story of the early church. Noted as a “book of conversions.” Acts is said to be the “hub” of the Bible. Not of all the apostles nor all acts. Generally Peter (Jews) in 1-12 and Paul (Gentiles) in

Of interest Key words: – Church – Kingdom – Spirit – Baptism Key sermons – Peter on Pentecost (2) – Stephen before the Sanhedrin (7) – Paul at Mars Hill (17)

General Outline 1-2 Church Established 3-7 Early Church in Jerusalem 8-12 Gospel Preached in Judea and Samaria Gospel Preached to all the earth

Acts 1 Prologue 1:1-3 – Theophilus. “God lover,” or “Dear to God.” – Former account. Gospel of Luke also to him. – 40 days of Jesus between the resurrection and the ascension.

Acts 1 Holy Spirit promised 1:4-8 – Don’t leave Jerusalem – Holy Spirit baptism will come shortly – “Will You restore the kingdom to Israel?” – You will receive power and be witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1 Ascension of Christ 1:9-11 – Eyewitnesses to Jesus taken up – Promise of His return immediately given

Acts 1 Waiting in Jerusalem 1:12-14 – From Mount Olivet to Jerusalem to an upper room. – Sabbath’s days journey. About 2,000 cubits or 1 kilometer. – Apostles were there along with others.

Acts 1 Selection of Matthias 1:15-26 – Necessary due to death of Judas – Details of his death given – Prophecy of his replacement – Lots cast on Matthias