The Theology of Acts South Florida Bible College & Seminary © John Stevenson, 2009

The Book of Acts The Author: Luke –Acts is a sequel. –Luke begins by referencing his first book. –Both books are dedicated to Theophilus. The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:1-2).

Bridging the Gap The Gospels The Epistles

Observations on Acts Acts is a book of Victory Acts is essentially about the ministries of Peter and Paul –Mistakes and successes –Discouragement and great courage Narratives are not necessarily normative Preaching in the Book of Acts Prayer in the Book of Acts

Luke Begins with an address to most excellent Theophilus Acts Begins with an address to Theophilus Announcement made by angel Gabriel Announcement made by two angels Begins in Jerusalem Birth of Jesus as the Spirit comes on Mary Birth of the Church as the Spirit comes on believers There is a movement toward Jerusalem There is a movement away from Jerusalem

Acts 1:6 And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

Acts 1:7-8 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Verse 7Verse 8 Negative emphasizedPositive emphasized It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you What will NOT be given to them What WILL be given to them

Acts 1:7-8 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Jerusalem Judea Samaria

Acts 1:9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. TransfigurationAscension A cloud Disciples saw two men: Moses & Elijah Disciples see two men in white clothing: Angels When it was over, only Jesus and the disciples remained When it is over only the two men and the disciples remain

Acts 1: And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Do you feel the apostles acted appropriately in electing a replacement for Judas Iscariot? Should we still be electing apostles today?

Acts 1 Preparing the way for the Church Acts 2 Church is born Christ ascends into Heaven The Holy Spirit comes from Heaven Equipped by Christ Empowered by the Holy Spirit Disciples will be witnesses to the ends of the earth The ends of the earth come to listen to the Disciples

Acts 2:1-3 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

The Tabernacle The New Tabernacle

Sinai Exodus 19 Israel came to Mount Sinai Pentecost Acts 2 Gathered together in one place Loud trumpet sound (19:16) Sound like a violent rushing wind Smoke of a furnaceTongues of fire Given the LawFilled with the Spirit Three thousand are killed by the Levites for having engaged in idolatry (32:28) Three thousand are made spiritually alive through faith in Christ

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Elements of Joel’s Prophecy (Quoted by Peter) God’s Spirit to be poured out. Sons and daughters to prophecy. Dreams and visions. Blood and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood.

“He shall return” (Acts 1:11). The Day of the Lord (Acts 2). Times of refreshing (Acts 3:19). The fallen tabernacle of David (Acts 15:16). He will judge the world (Acts 17:31). Resurrection of the righteous and the wicked (Acts 24:14-15).

Apostles Deacons (Acts 6). Elders (Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2-6).