Acts Overview- September 2016: On Mission for Jesus

Introduction

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria

and to the ends of the earth”, Jesus Christ, Acts 1:8

  • What do we learn from this verse about what Jesus said would happen once he returned to heaven?
  • What did it mean for the disciples to be his witnesses? What are the similarities and differences between their witness and ours?

Part A- Who wrote Acts? Who was it written to? When was it written?

How do these introductions to Acts and Luke show they were written by the same person?

How do we know Luke wrote these books?

Acts was written by one of Paul’s travelling companions. Acts 16 verses 6 to 10 show the author with Paul. (Notice the switch from “they” to “we”- see Acts 20:1-6 which also follows a similar pattern)

From earliest church times it has been accepted that this companion was Luke, even though the Bible never says so. We know Luke was a doctor and a travelling companion of Paul’s (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 23; 2 Timothy 4:11 are the New Testament references to Luke)

When was Acts written?

Probably very soon after the events it describes. Acts finishes about 62AD with Paul under house arrest in Roman, a couple of years before his death. It is quite optimistic and says nothing about the intense persecutions under the Roman Emperor Nero.

Part B: Why was Acts written?

Acts covers the thirty years after Jesus returned to heaven and the progress of the gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and onto the capital of the known world, Rome.

Is it wise to call it “The Acts of the Apostles”?

Pros

  • These men had a unique role in authenticating the ministry of Jesus and especially his resurrection (Acts 1:8 is said to them; Peter lays down strict criteria for Judas’ replacement- Acts 1:21-22; Peter spells this out in Acts 10:39-42)
  • Acts does follow the advance of the gospel through Peter (Acts chapters 1 to 12) and then Paul (Acts chapters 13 to 28)

Cons

  • We know very little about what many of the Apostles did
  • I think Peter and Paul would have hated that description (Peter: “Acts 3:11-16” and Paul: “Acts 20:24”)
  • Acts focuses on people other than the apostles- like Stephen and Philip- and this can also detract from what Acts teaches us about all of God’s people.

It is wise to call this “The Acts of the Holy Spirit”?

Pros

  • The Holy Spirit is vitally important to our understanding of Acts (Jesus mentions him in Acts 1:8; he comes with power on the early church at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4; he is given to all those who those who put their faith in Jesus- see Acts 2:38-39)
  • He is presented as the one who inspired the Old Testament authors as they wrote Scripture (Acts 1:16; 28:25) and who enabled the apostles and others in the early church to see Jesus in all of the Old Testament (Acts 1:2; Acts 4:25)
  • His presence is the evidence of an authentic response to the gospel- Acts 2:38 in Jerusalem; Acts 8:14-17in Samaria; Acts 10:44-48 to the Roman Cornelius in Caesarea; Acts 19:1-7 in Ephesus.
  • He enabled the apostles and others to perform miracles- Acts 2:43; 6:8; 8:6; 19:11-12- just as he empowered Jesus in the gospel of Luke.
  • He enabled believers to prophecy- Acts 2:17; Acts 13:2-3
  • He gave the apostles and others the strength to witness to Jesus despite brutal opposition- Acts 4:8-12; Acts 8:54-56; Acts 11:22-24- and filled all believers so they could speak boldly about Jesus- Acts 4:31; Acts 5:32;
  • He equipped believers for works of service- Acts 6:1-5; Acts 20:28
  • He set the pace for the mission to the nations- Acts 2:4-5 the coming of the Holy Spirit begins the mission in Jerusalem; Acts 8:4-8 the Holy Spirit equips those who have been scattered to witness to Jesus in Samaria; Acts 10:19-20 the Spirit sends Peter to Cornelius; Acts 13:4 the Holy Spirit sends Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus; he continued to direct Paul’s mission- Acts 16:6-7; Acts 20:22)

Cons

  • Properly understood not many!
  • Except the Holy Spirit is self-effacing and wants glory to go to Jesus (John 15:26; 16:13-14)

So perhaps this is the best summary…

The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus through his people empowered by his Holy Spirit on his mission from Jerusalem, through Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth.

(See Acts 1:1-2 “all that Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach until the day he was taken up into heaven”)

Part C- How is Acts structured?

Acts 1:8 / Chapters in Acts / Main Events / Approximate Dates
Jerusalem / 1-7 / The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost; Peter and John are arrested following the healing of a lame beggar; Ananias and Sapphira; persecution of the Apostles; life of the early church; the death of Stephen / 33AD
Judea / 8-12 / The church was scattered; the ministry of Philip; the conversion of Saul; Peter’s ministry outside of Jerusalem; Peter’s escape from prison / 34AD-44AD
To the ends of the earth- part 1 / 13-21 / Paul’s first missionary journey- chapters 13 and 14
The council in Jerusalem- chapter 15
Paul’s second missionary journey-
Chapter 15:36-18:22
Paul’s third missionary journey-
Chapter 18:23-Acts 21:16 / 48AD
49AD
49-52AD
52-57AD
To the ends of the earth- part 2 / 21-28 / The events which lead Paul to being taken to Rome
Trouble in Jerusalem- chapter 21:16-23:22
Transfer to Caesarea- chapter 23:23-26:32 (including Paul’s trials before Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa)
Paul’s journey to Rome and house arrest- chapters 27 and 28 / 57-62AD

Part D- How does Acts apply to us?

  • We are part of the ongoing mission to take the Good News of Jesus to the ends of the earth (John 17:20-21) Are we on mission for Jesus? Do we have a heart to see the whole world reached for Jesus Christ?
  • We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live for Jesus and to make him known to others through what we say and what we do. Are we dependent on Him, individually and as a church?
  • God’s Word remains unhindered (Acts 28:31) Are we confident in the power of God’s Word to transform lives?
  • Being a disciple of Jesus is costly. There will be opposition and persecution. Beginning with Stephen (Acts 7), then James (Acts 12), contending for the truth of the gospel has cost faithful disciples of Jesus their lives. Are we willing to suffer for what we believe?
  • Being part of the church involves devotion to the gospel, partnership with other believers, a love for Jesus and his work on the Cross, and a dependence upon God in prayer. Are we committed to the work of this church? Are we devoted to Jesus? Are discipling others for Jesus? Are we declaring Jesus? Are we dependent upon Jesus? Are we a #4dChurch?
  • Nobody is beyond the reach of the gospel. In Acts men and women, boys and girls, the rich and the poor, from many nations are included in its blessings. Even the most violent persecutor of the early church is saved (Acts 9). Do you believe in the saving power of the gospel and that nobody is beyond Jesus’ reach?

Part E- Aids to Further Study in Acts

  • Let’s Study Acts by Dennis E Johnson (80 readings to get right through Acts)
  • Amazing Acts by Gerard Chrispin (Easy to read, well applied, basic commentary)
  • Acts: Witnesses to Him by Bruce Milne (More in depth commentary)

There are some good sermons at especially by Kent Hughes

Appendix: Paul’s Missionary Journeys (Acts 13-21)