Lesson 1. The Acts of the Apostles is the only book in the world that tells us the results of the teaching life of our Lord Jesus. What actually happened?

If one orbits over this book, perhaps as if in a space ship, it means taking a look at a number of principles easily seen. What would be the most prominent thing one would find?

Does the name of the book suggest anything: Acts of the Apostles? The major one would be that studying this book would be an exciting call to action!

Acts is a call to Action Think of the various groups this history book addresses: Actions of the apostles Actions of the primitive church Actions of individual Christians

Actions as events moved out of Jerusalem Actions that involved all nations Actions of evangelism in new churches

“But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15).

“And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting…”

“…And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

Kinetic actions of apostles Under threats Accepted single assignment Living and breathing preaching machines Trained by Jesus Empowered by the Holy Spirit Expectations met by lives on the altar.

“But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus...”

“…But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: 20 for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard” (Acts: 4:17-20).

The apostles had barely started their work but after healing the lame man, they were arrested, and they were charged not to teach in the name of Jesus. Yet, as they continued to preach, they were brought up before the “council.”

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us...”

“…29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:27-29).

The 12 continued to preach the gospel, various other events were occurring, and the persecutions by the Jews grew. “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go...”

“…They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. 42 And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40-42).

Stephen lost his life for this preaching, and a climax finally came (Acts 7:57-60).

“And Saul was consenting unto his death “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1).

“They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). What were the results of these efforts by the 12 and all the other Christians?

Was anybody looking for the truth? “They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added [unto them] in that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). “ But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).

“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them; 14 and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of them and women;” (Acts 5:14).

“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).

About 2 decades later Paul could say: “if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister” (Colossians 1:23).

What instantly comes to mind? Now the converts felt the urgency of continuing the work of the 12. Is there any urgency in our generation of continuing the work of the 12?

Kaleidoscope of actions needed. What begins to emerge? Continuous teaching added teachers. Loving benevolence Great increase of believers Teaching brought faith and obedience.

One thing to consider that many forget. Saving the soul of your neighbor, friend, or family costs no money.

After all, what is the single mission of the Lord’s church? The Lord left 12 men to challenge the entire world. They gave their lives to accomplish the charge of the Lord Jesus.

The were only 12. Have we, who number thousands around the world, lost sight of souls?

Who is converting the lost? Elders: what about it? Preachers: you too? Deacons: indirectly converting? Members: love and concern temperature? Congregation: “filled Jerusalem?”

Kudos earned by few. Holding fast the word? Bastions of faith? How about bastions of evangelism?

Churches today are doing what work? Meeting for worship and classes? Attending, providing social activities? Funding missions? “Pillar” or “pillow” of the truth?

Worship times today are what? Ritual? Performance? Pleasing attendees, visitors? Sweet social activities? Provoking to love and good works?

Conversion record is what? Usually about 10% of number of members (400 member church have about 40 baptisms) How many are our own children? Any from local community? Converting any from denominations?

Ephesus could lose their candlestick: “Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5).

Laodicea could be spewed out: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).

Reading the book of Acts can be just looking at a series of events.

Or, it could be a soul-searching time to see if the present generation is called to do anything about Jesus’ mission that he left for the church and for every Christian? What did Jesus actually say?

“All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20).

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

Is it hard to know what Jesus wants us to do? Is it hard to know where to go? Is it hard to know what to preach?

Is it hard to know to whom to preach? Is it hard to tell believers what to do? Is it hard to tell baptized believers what to do?

If reading this inspired book is used correctly, one has to conclude: Acts of the Apostles is truly a call to action!