“…Jesus opened their mind to understand the scripture” Luke 24:45 Listening to Acts as script(ure) for Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ

 John 21  Jesus the Fisherman  Peter the Shepherd: Feed the sheep  John: beloved (friend) of Jesus  Acts 1  Galilean Fisherman become witnesses  Peter feeds the sheep  Theophilus: beloved (friend) of God

 Acts 1:1-2  a first (prior) “word” about (in dedication)  what Jesus began to do and teach until taken up  instructing his chosen apostles through Spirit Holy  Gospel according to Luke  write an orderly narrative, 1:3 (in dedication)  about things fulfilled among us, 1:1; 24:44  you are witnesses... I send the promise 24:48f  Acts-Luke: one fourth of New Testament

 Unnamed narrator  Recipient of eyewitness’ tradition, Lk 1  Traveler: A 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16  Author named Dr. Luke (in second century)  Paul’s co-worker: Phl 24; Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:11  Style and Genre of 2 volume writing  History… continues story of Israel from Greek Old Testament  Biography… story of teacher and students  Work Named “Acts of Apostles” (in second century)  “Acts”: a known title for a kind of literary work  First work: a “narrative” of Jesus “deeds” and teaching  Second work: “deeds” of apostles? and teaching?

 Who is “you”?  Acts: of the Apostles  The 12 (and so Judas replacement) 1:22; 13:31  Peter 2:32; 3:15; 10:39ff; (John… James)  Stephen 22:20 (Philip)  Saul/Paul 22:15; 26:16

 Advising the 120 in Jerusalem about Judas’ replacement (1:16–17, 20– 22)  Missionary sermon before the Jerusalem crowd at Pentecost (2:14–36, 38–40)  Sermon in the temple after healing the crippled beggar (3:12–26)  Defense before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem about the healed beggar (4:8–12, 19–20)  Defense (with the apostles) before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (5:29– 32)  Missionary sermon to Cornelius and his household at Caesarea (10:34– 43)  Explaining to the Jerusalem church why he preached to Cornelius (11:5–17)  Giving advice at the Jerusalem Council (15:7–11)

 Missionary sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (13:16–41)  Missionary sermon to the crowds at Lystra (14:15–17)  Missionary sermon before the Areopagus in Athens (17:22–31)  Pastoral sermon bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (20:18–35)  Defense before the crowds near the Temple in Jerusalem (22:1, 3–21)  Defense before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (23:1, 6)  Defense before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea (24:10–11)  Appeal to Caesar before the Roman governor Festus in Caesarea (25:10– 11)  Defense before King Herod Agrippa II in Caesarea (26:2–23, 25–27, 29)  Reassuring speech on the ship en route to Rome (27:21–26)  Addressing the Jewish leaders in Rome (28:17-20, 25–28)

Where?  Act I: Jerusalem 1-7  Act II: Samaria, Damascus, Caesarea, Antioch 8-12  Act III: Ends of earth [Paul, missionary]  Act IV: Jerusalem and Rome [Paul, prisoner] When? Festus procurator of Judea, AD 59-60, Acts 24:27

 To whom?  Jews: the Christ was Jesus 20:21  Greeks: repentance to God, faith in our Lord Jesus 15:14; 20:21  To Jews  30 years of dialogue, debate, division told  audience for most apologetic speeches  Speeches 2:14-36; 3:12-26; 13:16-41; 28:25-28

 To Greeks  Speeches 10:34-43; 14:15-17; 17:22-31  Ethiopian court treasurer  Two centurions: Cornelius (10) and Julius (27)  Sergius Paulus 13:4ff  Jailor Philippi 16:25ff  Dionysius, Damaris 17:34  Not turning to Lord ▪ At Lystra 14:8ff ▪ In Athens 17:21 ▪ In Ephesus (craftsmen 19:23ff)

 Light to Gentiles  Opening of the Gospel: Simeon’s  Closing of Acts: 28:23-31  Scripture Fulfilled, Spirit Empowered  Luke 4:14-30 (Acts 10:38)  Acts 2:14-42

 Joel’s prophecy defines the moment  Spirit’s presence, last days  Exalted Lord pours out Spirit  Repentance, Baptism, Gift of Spirit  Devoted to  Teaching of apostles  Sharing  Breaking of bread  Prayer

 About what? Apostles Teaching  Messiah’s sufferings 3:15 Messiah was Jesus 18:5  God raised up Jesus 1:22; 2:32; 10:41 present with church  Change of mind for forgiveness of sins 5:31; 20:21  Jesus appointed judge of living and dead 10:42  Seeing Just one, Hearing his voice from his mouth 22:14; 26:16  Gospel of the grace of God 20:24  Kingdom of God… 28:23

 Waiting in prayer 1:14  Habits of prayer 3:1; 10:9  Focus for the apostles 6:4  Stephen’s prayer 7:59f  Focus of the seeking Gentile 10:30 (Cornelius)  Church in prayer 4:24ff; 12:5  Meeting to pray 16:13

 Acts: of the Word “receive Word” 2:41  Prophets 10:42f and Moses 26:22 (and David)  (Word of God “grows” 6:7; 12:24; 19:20)  Acts: of the Spirit “gift of Spirit” 2:38  Spirit Holy (given to the obedient) 5:32  (God confirming Gentiles by giving Spirit 15:8)  (Lord confirming his word… signs, wonders 14:3)

 Isaiah 61 for Jesus/ Joel 2 for church: anointing  Jesus instructs 1:2; anointed 10:38  David 1:6; 4:25; Isaiah 28:25  Baptism with Spirit Holy 1:5  Pentecost 2:4, 33  Cornelius 10:44f 11:16 (19:2, 6)  Gift of the Spirit 2:38 (8:15f) 9:17; 10:44  Power with Spirit… to be witnesses 1:8 (8:18f)  Peter 4:8; church 4:31; Jesus, doing/healing 10:38; Saul 13:9  Accompanies wisdom in speech 6:3,10 (11:28); 20:28  Faith 6:5;7:55 11:24; joy 13:52; encouragement 9:31  Speaks 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 20:23; 21:4,11 directs 8:39; 13:4; 15:28; 16:6f; being lied 5:9; resisted 7:51

 The travel of other apostles and disciples  The growth of the Word to the East (2:9ff)  The founding of churches (e.g. in Rome)  Numerous signs and wonders (5:12)  The next story of Paul, of Peter  What about this “sect”? Acts 28:22  What is our script?  Why Acts?  To confirm, reassure  To reveal the counsel of God (divine necessity)  To occasion joy and praise