The Acts of the Apostles From the Acts of Jesus to the Acts of His Apostles Luke 1:1-4 Acts 1:1-5
[1] Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, [2] just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, . . .
. . . to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [4] that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4
[1] In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, [2] until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and . . .
speaking about the kingdom of God speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:1-5
An Eyewitness Narrative ~ Testimony (Luke 1:1-2) “The things that have been accomplished (fulfilled) among us” “just as . . . eyewitnesses and ministers (servants) of the word have delivered them to us” “Growing in Christ and Proclaiming Him to Others”
An Orderly Account ~ Certainty (Luke 1:3-4) “Having followed all things closely for some time past” “That you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” “Growing in Christ and Proclaiming Him to Others”
Commanded Apostles ~ Word (Acts 1:1-3) “He had given commands through the Holy Spirit” “Appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” “Growing in Christ and Proclaiming Him to Others”
Commanded Apostles ~ Word (Acts 1:1-3) “In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) . . .” Acts 1:15 “Growing in Christ and Proclaiming Him to Others”
Commanded Apostles ~ Word (Acts 1:1-3) “Go, for Saul (later called Paul) is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Acts 9:15 “Growing in Christ and Proclaiming Him to Others”
Baptized Apostles ~ Spirit (Acts 1:4-5) “Do not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father” “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” “Growing in Christ and Proclaiming Him to Others”
Baptized Apostles ~ Spirit “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, . . . You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 “Growing in Christ and Proclaiming Him to Others”
“The Holy Spirit is the most perfect gift of the Father to His children, and yet He is the one gift which the Father gives most easily.” Thomas Merton
“. wait for the promise of the Father “. . . wait for the promise of the Father . . . you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”