ACTS and the Letters of the New Testament

ACTS 1:8

ACTS – A Book of Transition OLD TESTAMENT (MOSAIC LAW CODE) NEW TESTAMENT (THE NEW COVENANT) ACTS

TRANSITIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS (1) ISRAEL to THE CHURCH   The CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST is now doing God’s work in the world.   The Church is not the “new” Israel—they are different entities internally and externally.   Terms are not used interchangeably. (2) FOCUS ON JEW to FOCUS ON GENTILES   God’s purposes always included Gentile salvation. But in the Church, the Jew is not the focus…mainly gentiles. (3) NEW/UNIQUE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT.   Important differences in the Spirit’s ministry in the Church. (John 7, 14, 16) (4) DISPENSATION OF LAW TO DISPENATION OF THE CHURCH.   A new rule of life for the church.   Mosaic Law was designed to be temporary; set aside.

INTRODUCTION TO ACTS - 1:1-2:4   THE 40 DAYS OF MINISTRY   Gave multiple proofs of the fact of Christ’s bodily resurrection, which is the basis of the faith (1 Cor. 15).   Taught the Apostles truths that they could not understand before the crucifixion and resurrection events.   CHRIST’S ASCENSION TO HEAVEN, 1:6-11   Jesus does not deny a coming Messianic kingdom, but focuses on their task.   THE APOSTLE’S TIME OF WAITING, 1:12-26   THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT, 2:1-4

THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH DAY OF PENTECOST (Acts 2) SPIRITSPIRIT CHRIST Christ is now made HEAD of the Church, His “body” Believers will now be baptized by the Spirit. Church: Body of Christ

THE WITNESS AT PENTECOST: 2:5-47 2:5-13 – Jews (many “OT saints)” from all over the world at Pentecost; amazed that they heard their own dialects being spoken by Galileans. 2:14-21 – Peter’s message addressed to everyone (2:22) but particular attention is given to those from Judea (2:14) who were confused about the “tongues”. 2:22-39 – Key idea: “Jesus whom you crucified is both Lord and Christ as is evidenced by His miracles and His resurrection.” 2:40-47 – 3,000 respond. Church now in existence and meeting for instruction, fellowship, worship, prayer and ministry.

JOHN 10:23 ACTS 3:11; 5:12

THE WITNESS IN JERUSALEM, JUDEA & SAMARIA: 3:1-   3 & 4 – PETER & JOHN IN JERUSALEM   5-8 – THE APOSTLES (and Stephen) IN JERUSALEM   8-12 – THE WITNESS IN JUDEA & SAMARIA: Peter, Philip & Saul/Paul.   THE KEY EVENT IS THE SHOCKING CONVERSION OF RABBI SAUL OF TARSUS.

Blank 8 SEBASTE (Samaria) JERUSALEM “Desert Gaza” AZOTUS CAESAREA THE MINISTRY OF PHILIP

Blank 9 JERUSALEM DAMASCUS ARABIA??? THE TIME IN ARABIA IS NOT MENTIONED IN ACTS. IT IS FOUND IN GAL.1: Between Acts 9:19a and b. Paul would spend 15 days in Jerusalem with Peter and then have to flee to Tarsus. Gal. 1 THE CONVERSION and EARLY DAYS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

JERUSALEM LYDDA - Aeneas JOPPA Dorcas CAESAREA - Cornelius PETER’S MINISTRY

THE WITNESS OF PETER 9:32-11:18 THE WITNESS IN JERUSALEM. Peter had to “defend” to the Jewish believers his ministry to gentiles. Key to his defense: 11: JEWISH CHURCH SAMARITAN CHURCH GENTILE CHURCH ONE BODY OF CHRIST

THE WITNESS OF THE CHURCH 11:19-12:25   The Church is now entering a new phase in its evangelism.   ANTIOCH of SYRIA now becomes a strong and significant church.   This gentile evangelism had begun with Cornelius. It was not a “project” of the Jerusalem church.   The need for Apostolic oversight.

THE BOOK OF JAMES Some Basic Facts   James is writing to believers.   These are Jewish believers who have fled the persecutions that had taken place in Judea.   He is writing to encourage them to be “doers” of the Word and that their faith in Christ will be productive and valuable.   He is writing to encourage them to avoid the various sins that make their faith unfruitful.

THE BOOK OF JAMES THE RECIPIENTS OF THE EPISTLE   The people receiving this letter were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.   There is no indication that James questioned their faith in Christ.   They are genuine, not “professed” believers. (1) (1) Called “brethren” some 20 times. This is the common term for a Christian. Cf. Acts 9:30; 10:23. (2) (2) They had been born by God. (1:18) (3) (3) Their faith was in the glorious Lord Jesus. (4) (4) Nowhere does James express doubt in the genuineness of their faith (even 2:14-26).

THE BOOK OF JAMES Some Key Words in James 1 What is a TRIAL? From God? Satan? Internal? External? What is a TEMPTATION? Where do they come from? Different from “trials”? What is WISDOM? Do Christians have it automatically? How is obtained? By prayer? What is FAITH? How do you get faith? How do you increase faith?

THE BOOK OF JAMES TRIALS TEMP TEMPTEMP “LUST” (wrong desires) SIN DEATH PASS THE TEST ENDURANCE COMPLETENESS MATURITY REWARD

STEPS IN BECOMING A “DOER” OF THE WORD #1 BEING EXPOSED TO THE TRUTH OF GOD #2 C0MING TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH OF GOD #3 APPLYING THE TRUTH OF GOD 2 TIM. 2 PROV. 2 JAM. 1 PHIL.3 IN JAMES, THE “DOER” OF THE WORD IS THE BELIEVER WHO IS APPROPRIATING THE TRUTH AND IS CONTINUALLY WORKING TOWARDS STAGE #3. PERSONAL STUDY/READING BIBLE STUDIES SEMINARS, CLASSES SERMONS, TAPES T.V./RADIO/VIDEOS TALKING W/ BELIEVERS THE IGNORANCE GAP THE DELUSION GAP “DOER”