ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

ACTS A sequel by Luke also written to Theophilus The Gospel of Luke was about what Jesus began to do and teach Acts 1:1 So Acts is a continuation of Jesus’ work and teaching through His spiritual body the church It is called Acts of the Apostles because of the special work Jesus gave them Every story in the first five chapters confirms the apostles’ authority 1:2-11

ACTS The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

ACTS And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.“ Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?“ And He said to them, "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.“

ACTS Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

ACTS Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

ACTS 1:2-11 promise of Holy Spirit baptism 1:12-26 a replacement for Judas 2:1-47 spoke in tongues; preached gospel 3:1-4:31 healed the lame man 4:32-37 power of the early church 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira 5:12-16 respect for the apostles 5:17-42 persecution of the apostles and their triumph

ACTS Acts 1:8 outlines the book In Jerusalem 1:1-8:3 (6:7) In Judea and Samaria 8:4-12:25 (12:20-24) Unto the ends of the earth 13:1-28:31; 28:30-31 Geographical growth parallels spiritual growth 1 st generation - apostles 1:1-5:42 2 nd generation - Stephen, Philip, Barnabas 6:1- 12:25 3 rd generation – Gentiles, Europe 13:1-28:31

PROGRESS IN ACTS 2: :47 daily growth 4: men 5:14 “And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, both men and women” 6:7 “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” 8:4 they went everywhere preaching the word 9:31 churches had peace…they were multiplied 11:18 “God has also granted Gentiles repentance unto life” 11:21-26 the first integrated church grew much

PROGRESS IN ACTS 12:24 “But the word of God grew and multiplied.” 14:27 Paul and Barnabas reported all God had done with them 16:5 “so the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily” 19:20 “so the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed 28:30-31 Paul preached unhindered in Rome Note the context of each step of progress

THEMES IN ACTS PRAYER OF THE DISCIPLES 4:23-31, 12:5 WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH 2:42,47 ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH 6:1-7; 14:23 WORK OF THE CHURCH 6:1-7 WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1:1-8 CONVERSIONS 2:1-41, 8:5-25, 8:26-40, 10:1-48 “What must I do?” answered three times 2: :6; 22:16 16:30-34