Christ Baptist Church Fall 2015 / Spring 2016

Who was the Author? Inferences lead to the conclusion that the author was Luke Luke and Acts were circulated as one work Both to Theopulius Both Greek and of the best quality Pronoun we is used beginning in Chapter 16 Both books show great compassion for people, especially women Muratorian Canon dating to 170 A.D. states Paul was the author of the third Gospel and the “Acts of the Apostles.” Early church leaders acknowledge Luke as the author

Who was Luke and what do we know about him? ….. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me ……… I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 2 Timothy 4:11 A gentile, physician and close friend Paul’s travel companion Loyal Greek Researcher Acts 16:10-40, Acts 20:5- 28:31 Only Luke is with me Colossians 4:11-14 Luke 1:1-4

Source of the writing was probably Paul Used other sources Second of a two part work Luke – Acts of Jesus Acts – Acts of the Apostles Believe to be written over 2 years during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome Records the first 35 years of Christian history Depicts the New Covenant's practical outworking in the life of the early church More than a historical book – shows the power of the Holy spirit Acts 21:18-19

Acts of the Apostles through the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit given by Jesus to the disciples It was through the Holy Spirit that the disciples could perform acts which were previously impossible for them to do Importance of Acts today Gives us the key to live powerful and fruitful lives now! 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

Explore The Book by J. Sidlow Baxter

Disciple refers to a “learner or follower” Used 260x in the New Testament Apostle means “one who is set out” Used 90x in the New Testament Referring to the 12 men who were Among the twelve were fishermen, a tax collector, and a revolutionary. Ordinary to extraordinary Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Luke 6:13-16 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:1 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Matthew 10:2

To Present a history of the early church To give a defense of Christianity To provide a guide To depict the triumph of Christianity in face of bitter persecution

Are you living with the Joy of the 1 st century Christians? How do you live? Can Luke write about your life? Do you choose to live with eager expectancy of what the Holy Spirit will do in your life?