THE FIRST CHURCH WAS JEWISH

THE RESURRECTION One of the central tenets of the Christian faith All four gospels have similar accounts Mark is the shortest and emphasizes the empty tomb, the announcement to the women, and his promise to see them in Galilee Matthew emphasizes the empty tomb, the answer to accusations, and the Great Commission Luke emphasizes the appearances of Jesus, to show that Jesus fulfilled OT prophecy, and to show that the disciples were to preach the gospel John is the longest and seems to focus on Peter’s role after the resurrection

EVIDENCES OF THE RESURRECTION Post resurrection appearances Mary Magdelene and other women Two disciples on the road Ten then eleven disciples together The disciples in Galilee Over 500 at once James, Stephen, Paul, and John on Patmos Other evidences The Church Sunday worship The change in the disciples

JESUS’ LAST INSTRUCTIONS The Great Commission – Matt.28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (ethna), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. The Commission in Acts – Acts 1:7-8 It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. The ascension – Acts 1:9

THE BOOK OF ACTS A unique book in the NT Written to Theophilus The only historical “sequel” to the gospels Gives us information about Paul’s travels Gives us information about the early church Marks the transition from a primarily Jewish church to a universal church Serves to encourage the church today Written to Theophilus Describes the acts of the Holy Spirit through certain apostles, mainly Peter and Paul Focus on the work of the Holy Spirit, beginning with Pentecost

THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH

PENTECOST Pentecost occurred 50 days after the Passover Jesus’ disciples waited as they had been instructed They chose another disciple to replace Judas Jews from all over the whole converged on Jerusalem The baptism of the Holy Spirit Synonymous with the coming of the Spirit Fulfillment of Joel 2:28, 29 Enabled the disciples to speak the message of the gospel in the languages of those present Sound like wind, tongues like fire, speaking in other languages (glossais)

THE PROCLAMATION BY PETER Peter preached a sermon Explained what had just happened Showed how it fulfilled OT prophecy (Joel 2:28,29) Used OT scripture to show that Jesus was the promised messiah The kerygma – proclamation of Jesus as Messiah (At.2.14-38) Baptism and repentance The beginning of the church

THE KERYGMA Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know -- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. . . Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:22-24, 36

COMPARISON Acts 4:10-12 Know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 3:13-15 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

Acts 5:29-32 We must obey God rather than men Acts 5:29-32 We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead-- whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 10:39-43 We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

THE “GEOGRAPHY” OF ACTS

THE CHURCH GROWS And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. w activities (At. 2.43-47)

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EARLY CHURCH They began to meet regularly. They followed the teaching of the Twelve. They shared meals. The Apostles even performed miracles and signs validating their message.

GROWTH AND PROBLEMS Continued conflict with Jewish leaders The question of authority (At.4.7) Peter and John imprisoned and emboldened Ananias and Saphira (At. 5.1-11) The problem of truthfulness before God The question of widows and the selection of the first deacons (At.6.1-7) The first martyr (At.7.1-60)

THE CHURCH IS SCATTERED The first open persecution (At. 8.1-4) Stemming from the death of Stephen Resulted in the scattering of believers The conversion of the Ethiopian (At.8.4-40) Mission of Phillip to Gaza and coastal region of Judea The entry of the gospel to Africa The conversion of Saul (At.9.1-43) Sought to arrest believers in Damascus Vision of the risen Lord Later, studied in Arabia (Gal. 1.17) Returned to Damascus proclaiming Christ (Syria) Argued convincingly that Jesus was indeed the Messiah