1. History of the early church The Book of Acts The Beginning

2. Lesson 1 Introduction History of the early church The book of Acts

3. The Name: 1.Part 2 of History of Christian Origins 2.Part 2 of History of Christian Beginnings 3.The Acts of All the Apostles 4.The Acts of the Apostles 5.The Acts 6.Acts

4. The Author: Luke Resons: Sequel to Luke Uses the first-person plural narrative “we” About Luke: He was not one of the 12 Apostles the physician - Colossians 4:14

5. Written to: Theophilus meaning friend of God “most excellent Theophilus” - he may have been a government official - the name could have meant he was writing to all Christians. - it could be that both Luke and Acts were written to educate someone who was to defend Paul in Rome.

6. Purpose: Luke 1:1 (NKJV) Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

7. Important things in Acts History of the early church Continuation of Jesus work Inspired sermons Prayers Work of the Holy Spirit Conversions How churches solved problems How churches were organized How the Gospel was preached to the world

8. Lesson One Time line of events in Acts Birth of Jesus Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost Paul imprisoned in Rome Destruction of Jerusalem AD 70 4 BC AD 30AD 62 AD 70

9. Conversions in Acts: 1.The 3000 On Pentecost (2:1-41) 2. The multitude in the temple (3:1-4:3) 3.The Samaritans (8:4-25) 4.Simon - previously “The Sorcerer” (8:13) 5.The Ethiopian treasurer (8:26-40) 6.Saul of Tarsus (9:1-19; 22:6-16; 26:12-18) 7.Cornelius And His Household (10:1-48; 11:1-18) 8.The Proconsul (13:12) 9.The Gentiles (13:47-48) 10.Lydia and her household (16:13-15) 11.The Philippian Jailer (16:26-33) 12.Conversion of Dionysius, Damaris (Athenians) (17:16-34) 13.The Corinthians (18:1-11) 14.The Twelve Disciples Of John (19:1-10)

13. Jesus Continued Work: Promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide the Apostles (John 16:7,12,13) Promised to establish the church (Matt 16:18) Promised to let Peter open the door to the kingdom (Matt 16:18-19) Began to teach and make disciples – gave the great commission(Matt 28:18-20) Promised to give the Apostles miraculous powers (Mark 16:17-18) Predicted opposition to teaching the truth (John 15:18-25) Promised ultimate victory (John 14:1-3)