Understanding the New Testament The Book of Acts

Who is the Author of the Book of Acts? What do we know of Luke?

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 Book of Acts

What type of literature is Acts?

How might a recognition of the genre of Acts affect one’s interpretation of the book?

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 Acts Begins with an address to most excellent Theophilus Begins with an address to Theophilus Announcement made by angel Gabriel Announcement made by two angels Begins in Jerusalem 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 1:6-8 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?" 7 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.

Witness to the Resurrection This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses (Acts 2:32). But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. (Acts 3:14-15). With great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all (4:32). And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32).

Witness to Jerusalem and surrounding areas Structure of Acts Chapters 1-6 Chapters 7-12 Chapters 13-28 Mostly Peter Peter & others Primarily Paul Church Established Church Scattered Church Extended Witness to Jerusalem and surrounding areas Witness to the world

The Pentecost Incident The Jewish Feast of Pentecost The Filling of the Spirit Tongues Peter’s Address

Acts 2:17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams;

Acts 2:18-19 Even upon My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. 19 And I will grant wonders in the sky above, And signs on the earth beneath, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.

Acts 2:20-21 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. 21 And it shall be, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19) Filling of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) Sons of Israel came together at Mount Sinai Believers were gathered in an upper room Loud trumpet sound (19:16) Noise like a violent, rushing wind Smoke of a furnace Tongues of fire 3000 killed by Levites for engaging in idolatry (32:28) 3000 made spiritually alive through faith in Christ

Partiality between Hebrew versus Greek speaking widows Acts 3-6 Chapter 3:1 - 4:22 5:1-11 5:12-42 6:1-7 Distress in the Church External problem Internal problem External problem Internal problem Peter & John Arrested Tried Released Sin within the church Apostles Jailed Tried Released Partiality between Hebrew versus Greek speaking widows Growth in the Church Number of men rises to 5,000 Many added They kept on teaching

 Damascus  Joppa  Jerusalem

for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to  Tarsus  Antioch  Seleucia 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26)  Salamis

 Tarsus Syrian Antioch   Seleucia  Salamis  Paphos

Syrian Syrian Tarsus Antioch Seleucia Paphos  Antioch  Perga     Salamis  Paphos

Pisidian Lystra  Syrian Tarsus Antioch Seleucia Paphos  Antioch  Iconium Lystra   Derbe  Perga  Tarsus Syrian Antioch   Seleucia  Salamis  Paphos

Pisidian Lystra  Syrian Tarsus Antioch Seleucia Paphos  Antioch  Iconium Lystra   Derbe  Perga  Tarsus Syrian Antioch   Seleucia  Salamis  Paphos

Must Christians be circumcised in order to be saved? Acts 15 Must Christians be circumcised in order to be saved? What forms does this question take in today’s church?

Second Missionary Journey

Bythinia  Troas Mysia Asia Galatia Pisidia  Syrian Antioch

 Philippi  Troas  Athens

 Philippi  Berea  Thessalonica  Troas  Corinth  Athens

Acts 17:11-12 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.

 Philippi  Berea  Thessalonica  Troas  Corinth  Athens

“To the Unknown God” Famine in Athens Epimenedes Flock of sheep turned loose on the Aereopagus Altar erected when one would lie down and not eat

Acts 18:2-3 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all The Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers.

Crispus (Synagogue leader) Christianity on Trial Crispus (Synagogue leader) Paul

Sosthenes (Synagogue leader) Christianity on Trial Gallio (Proconsul) Sosthenes (Synagogue leader) Paul Crispus

 Ephesus Syrian Antioch   Caesarea

Paul’s First Visit to Ephesus 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 And when they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but taking leave of them and saying, "I will return to you again if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus. (Acts 18:19-21).

 Ephesus Syrian Antioch   Caesarea

A certain man named Demetrius, a silver-smith, who made shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen… (Acts 19:24)

Syrian Antioch Jerusalem Be on guard for yourselves  Ephesus Syrian Antioch  Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)  Caesarea  Jerusalem

Caesarea

Caesarea

Acts 28:30-31 30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.