ACTS 1:1-4:31
ACTS – An Introduction
ü Author: Luke
ü Date: 60-62 AD
ü Purpose: Acts is a transitional book giving an historical bridge from the Old Testament to the New Testament. A bridge from a Jewish economy to a Church economy. A bridge from an ancient belief system to a new uniquely different belief system. Acts chronicles the growth of the Church and its emergence as the major belief system in the world. Much of the action in the book of Acts is specific to the time and situation and must not be taken as normative.
Mills in The Acts of the Apostles records a list of notable 'firsts' which help us see the transitional nature of Acts:
1. | The First Outpouring of the Holy Spirit | 1:1–2:4 | ||||
(The birth of the Church). | ||||||
2. | The First Sermon | 2:5–47 | ||||
(The Church starts its work). | ||||||
3. | The First Public Miracle | 3:1–4:31 | ||||
(God authenticates the Church). | ||||||
4. | The First Satanic Attack on the Church | 4:32–5:16 | ||||
(The reality of the Holy Spirit recognized). | ||||||
5. | The First Official Recognition of the Church | 5:17–42 | ||||
(The Church is separated from Judaism). | ||||||
6. | The First Apostolic Assistants | 6:1–7 | ||||
(The Church is organized to function effectively). | ||||||
7. | The First Christian Martyr | 6:8–8:3 | ||||
(The Church is dispersed to perform its function). | ||||||
8. | The First Traveling Evangelist | 8:4–40 | ||||
(The Church expands in performing its function). | ||||||
9. | The First Converted Persecutor | 9:1–31 | ||||
(The Church is given respite in order to consolidate). | ||||||
10. | The First Mission to the Gentiles | 9:32–10:48 | ||||
(The Church's full mission is defined). | ||||||
11. | The First Threat of a Split in the Church | 11:1–30 | ||||
(The Church recognizes its full responsibility). | ||||||
12. | The First Governmental Persecution of the Church | 12:1–25 | ||||
(The Church is recognized by the world). | ||||||
1:1-11: Upward and Onward
Ø What convincing proofs did Luke list to show that Christ had indeed risen from the dead?
Ø Were the disciples still confused about when and where Jesus would establish His Kingdom?
Ø How did Jesus respond to their question about His Kingdom?
Ø Application for us?
Ø What role does Jesus now have after His ascension back into Glory?
1:12-26: A Replacement for Judas
Ø What was the primary activity of the disciples after Jesus returned to Heaven?
Ø What was the major prerequisite for the one chosen to replace Judas?
Ø How did they decide who to pick?
Ø Is there ever a time today to use such a method of determining God's will?
2:1-13: The Power of Pentecost
Ø What is Pentecost? (Lev. 23:15 ff) What does the word Pentecost mean?
Ø Why was the first infilling of the Holy Spirit so dramatic?
Ø What were the "tongues" that the disciples were speaking? Why were they empowered this way?
Ø What were they declaring in these new tongues?
Ø What does this event signify?
2:14-47: 3000 Saved; The Church Grows
Ø In John 18:15ff we see a Peter who denied his Lord three times. What caused peter to change so dramatically is such a short period of time?
Ø What is the Gospel that Peter preached that day? Remember, Peter was speaking to Jews. His use of "repent" was aimed at getting them to change their opinion of Jesus. Is repentance and baptism a prerequisite for salvation? Why or why not?
Ø After accepting Jesus Christ and their Savior, what did the people in the crowd do?
Ø Why was it necessary for them to sell their possessions and hold everything in common?
3:1-26: In The Name of Jesus
Ø Earlier (Luke 9:37 ff), Jesus chided the disciples for their lack of faith in helping the demon possessed boy. What has changed in the disciple's behavior now?
Ø What were some of the inherent dangers the disciples faced when they exercised the gift of healing?
Ø How did Peter handle those dangers?
Ø Is there a lesson here for us concerning the giving of money vs. the giving of ourselves to assist those in need?
4:1-22: Confrontation with the Establishment
Ø Why were the religious leaders upset with Peter and John?
Ø Were Peter and John intimidated by these religious leaders? Why not?
Ø What was Peter's clear testimony before the Sanhedrin? (4:12)
Ø Did Peter and John bow to the world's pressure to refrain from preaching?
Ø What application does this have for us?
Mills, M. (1997, c1987). The Acts of the Apostles (Ac 1:1). Dallas: 3E Ministries.
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