ACTS
OF THE APOSTLES
A. Luke was the companion of Paul.
1. Beloved Physician (Colossians
4:14)
2. Paul refers to him as one of “his
fellow workers” (Philemon 24)
3. He is referred to as one who is
loyal. (II Timothy 4:10-11)
B. The same person who wrote the Gospel
of Luke (Luke 1:1-4)
C. Some of the characteristics of the
author.
1. He was a close associate of Paul
indicated by the “we” sections of the book.
(Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16)
2. Luke was a Greek, a Gentile from
3. He was a scholar, educated and easily able
to check sources and records.
4. He was qualified to interview eyewitnesses
and write facts after verification.
5. He was a man of culture, had a universal
outlook and revealed an interest in
medical matters.
II.
Date of the Book
A. Written in First Century between 62
and 64 A. D.
B. Written within the framework of geographical,
political and historical details of
the first century.
1. Nero’s persecution which began in
A. D. 64 and Paul’s death not mentioned.
2. No mention of the fall and
destruction of Jerusalem A. D. 70.
A.
Written to Theophilus, a member of Roman Nobility.
1. He had some information and Luke was authenticating it. (Luke 1:1-4)
2. He was defending Christianity against charges in the
B.
It is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke. (Acts 1:1-2)
1. The Gospel told what “Jesus began both to do and teach”
2. Acts tells what the Lord
continues to do and teach by the Holy Spirit
through the church.
3. The Gospel told of Jesus’ earthly ministry from birth to ascension.
4. Acts is the ministry of Jesus
after His ascension for 30 years.
5. Acts records the Lords spiritual ministry as Christianity spread
from
6. It was showing the progress of the church
from the Jewish world
to the Gentile world.
C. Luke confines himself to the facts,
only reporting what he saw and heard.
IV.
The Church - A Supernatural Creation
A. Definition of the term
“Church”
1.
Greek - “eklesia”
a. Called out ones.
b. In secular
Greek society - An assembly of free
citizens who were called out from their homes and /or places
of business to give consideration to matters of public interest. (Acts 19:32,39,41;
Hebrews 12:18-24)
2.
Similar phrase in Old Testament Hebrew.
a. “kahal Jehovah” or “the called and assembled people of God”
b. Thus called-out ones ( Old and New Testaments) were to receive His
instructions, commands, or
blessings.
3.
Jesus speaks twice concerning the church.
a.
Matthew 16:15-19
b.
Matthew 18:15-20
4. He speaks of two realms of the
Church
a. Universal (14 times)
b. Local (96 times)
5. The church is the designated
place in our day to house the fellowship between God and His people.
B. Christianity survived and spread
because it changed people.
1. Two nobody fisherman astonished those who challenged them. (Acts
4:13)
2. Luke tells us in history how the Church began at Pentecost when the
Lord returned in spirit to indwell His
disciples.
3. He shows how the Spirit
transformed them into outspoken evangels.
C. Luke interprets spiritual history by
showing how the Lord worked in the lives
of two of his apostles, Peter and Paul.
1. These are the heroes and are representative of the rest of the
church.
2. The First 12 chapters feature Peter.
3. The last 16 chapters focus on
the ministry of Paul to the Gentiles.
D. Acts is the Bridge between the
Gospels and the Epistles
1. The work of the Holy Spirit in
Acts, cannot be understood without seeing
the relationship between Acts
and the Gospels which demonstrate
continuity.
2. The Public ministry of Jesus in
the Gospels and the Public ministry of the church in Acts begin with a life
changing encounter with the spirit.
a. Jesus (Luke 3:21,22)
b. Church (Acts 2:4)
3. Jesus is the prototype of the
Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered life.(Acts 10:38)
E. The Book of Acts is the story of
the Disciples receiving what Jesus Received in order to do what Jesus did.
F. Christianity is NOT a movement carried on in memory of a dead
founder, but one which is energized by his presence
as its LIVING LEADER.
V.
The Three Mysteries of Christ Revealed
The appearing and
disappearing of Jesus after the resurrection were designed to prepare the
disciples to think beyond the flesh. He
left them with these mysteries so when he sent His Spirit he would become the
INTERNAL teacher. Acts is Luke showing
how the Lord kept His Word to His disciples and brought these mysteries to
fulfillment.
.
A. Mystery number
one: Jesus return in the Spirit to indwell believers.
1. He would talk of His departure
which brought distress to the disciples
2. He would then use the opportunity
to talk about the Spirits return.
(John 14:18)
3. He would comfort them with more
mysterious words: (John 14:15-17)
4. He gave more mystery (John 14:20)
a. He was speaking of a closer
and more intimate relationship with His
disciples.
b. He was coming back to be
INSIDE them sharing their very thoughts.
c. Like two people living in one
body and using the same mind.
5. For Jesus to be available as the
Holy Indweller, He had to make the
transition from flesh to spirit.
6. In doing this everyone could have all there is of Him. (John 16:7)
7. His INDWELLING is an advantage
and makes possible an intimacy
we can experience
no other way.
B. Mystery number two: Jesus greater
work of building His Church using
His disciples.
1. In His flesh Jesus could not
build His church.
2. He was eager to get out of the
body and be about the GREATER work.
3. Jesus earthly ministry was God in
a “straitjacket” He was restricted.
(Luke12:50)
4. The physical part was: 1.
Revealing the Father 2. Accomplishing
the Atonement.
5. For the more joyous work that was
set before Him, He had to get out of the
body. (Hebrews 12:2)
6. We see His eagerness in John
14:2.
7. His GREATER work of Salvation was
eternal, Miracles were only temporary.
8. Building His Church through
salvation of souls is our greater work.
9. He could now enjoy Intimacy as
never before but also Work Through Them.
10. The joy that comes to us as he
moves through us by His Spirit is His Own.
C. Mystery number
three: His Church was to be built by spiritual baptism.
1. Jesus was properly introduced by
John not as the Messiah but the BAPTIZER
(Luke 3:16)
2. Jesus is the only
Spirit-Baptizer. He never baptized with water in His
earthly ministry.
3. “Baptism” describes placing
clothing into a vat of dye and spiritually means
“to place into or immerse.”
4. Immersing a persons body in a
tank of water is a physical thing, but placing
his soul into the invisible
church, is wholly spiritual.
5. How does it work in practice.
a. The disciples part is the
SPEAK about the risen Christ.
b. The Lord in them bears
witness to the words spoken and the listeners
heart burns within him.
c. As the person accepts the witness and acts on
the invitation 2 things
take place.
(1) Jesus comes in by His
Spirit and takes up residence.
(I Corinthians 6:19) (Romans 8:9)
(2) He is simultaneously
“baptized” or placed into the church, the body
of Christ. (I
Corinthians 12:13) Instantly translated
from darkness to the light of the kingdom of His
dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)
6. This is how Christ is building
His Church today. This is his Fun and his Joy.
That is why he gave us the Great
Commission. We are all invited to
participate in the biggest and most
thrilling task God has ever
undertaken...
THE BUILDING OF HIS CHURCH
(MATTHEW 18:18,19)
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
I. Preface (Acts 1:1-3)
A. Compare Luke 1:1-4
1. Disciples joyously returning from the ascension awaiting the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit.
2. The Ascension is the turning point where the Gospel ends and the Acts begin
B. What take s place in the visible world, as set forth in the book of Acts, originates
in the invisible world as Jesus carries out His Greater Ministry in the Spirit.
C. Acts is an account of what Jesus continued “to Do and Teach” after His
ascension.
1. The work and words of Jesus
2. These were literally the Acts of the Holy Spirit.
D. Forty days of infallible proofs of Christ’s resurrection
1. Witness of the empty tomb. (Luke 24:1-9)
2. Witness of the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44-46)
3. Witness of fellow believers. (Luke 24:47-49)
II. The Promise of
the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8)
A. The command was to wait.
1. The
earthly must start at
2. Where he was hated and despised, His grace and glory would come with power
3. It was His city, His world headquarters on earth.
B. This was not a new revelation, they had been told.
1. Promise foreshadowed by John the Baptist.
2. It was a baptism, placing people into His church.
C. It was coming by the Holy Spirit.
D. This was Jesus last interview with His disciples
1. There minds were moving again to the political kingdom
2. He was moving them again to the spiritual and invisible kingdom.
E. He conceals the future that we may have the joy of discovering.
F. Make the present moment one of obedience, the future will contain the joy of
discovery.
G. Empowered: If it is power they want it is power they will get.
1. Supernatural power that is out of this world.
2. They will have power to do things in the Spirit.
3. Power to be witnesses and have a profound, progressive influence on the world in which we live.
4. The miracles validated the greater spiritual power of transforming souls.
H. The Holy Ghost Connection.
1. They have the kingdom keys but Christ limits His action to their obedience.
(Matthew 16:18)
2. They had the knowledge and preparation to witness but needed the power.
3. Only in the energy of the Spirit could the Gospel be carried to the world.
I. The power of the Holy Spirit and the great commission cannot be separated.
1, The power is not found in the speaker but is displayed in the results.
2. The witness speaks and Christ acts through His Spirit.
J. He gave them what He had to do what He did.
1. Jesus was anointed as God’s King and Servant at His baptism.(Luke 3:21,22)
2. In the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost they would be anointed to carry
His salvation throughout the world.
(a) To proclaim His kingship
(b) To continue His work as a faithful servant.
III. Jesus Ascends to Heaven (Acts 1:9-11)
A. His exaltation to the right hand of the Father did not wait to the fortieth day.
1. His other appearances were visitations from the exalted and eternal world
to which His “Body of Glory” belonged.
2. His other disappearances were Instantaneous, this one was gradual.
3. This final scene impressed upon the disciples their Master’s heavenly glory.
B. The significance of the cloud.
1. This was not the first experience of His heavenly glory coming in this
manner.
2. At the Transfiguration a cloud overshadowed them.(Mark 9:26, Luke 9:34)
3. Jesus described His second coming, “In clouds and great glory.”
(Matthew 24:30; Luke 21:27)(Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62)
4. Represented the Shekinah, Jesus was enveloped in the cloud of Divine
Presence, or Jesus had departed into the presence of His Father.
C. The physical body passing out of sight gives and important message.
1. Christ was no longer limited to one location.
2. They were to no longer know Him after the flesh but after the Spirit.
3. His Body, the Church, would now continue His ministry.
4. The Church is “the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.” Thus Christ is
truly the universalized, unlimited one.
D. Angels appear with a message.
1. They had appeared at other events, His birth, temptation, resurrection.
2. They confirmed that Jesus actually went to heaven.
3. They announced another physical return of the Lord.
E. A Description of Christ return is given
1. It will be visible, unexpected, He will be the same, in the clouds,
bodily, to the same mountain, it will be glorious and magnificent.
2. Until that day, His indwelling in us is “our hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27)
IV. The Upper Room Prayer Meeting (Acts 1:12-14)
A. The disciples
return to
B. They go to an upper chamber for an extended prayer meeting.
C. Besides the Apostles there were three other groups of people present.
1. Jesus brethren, formerly unbelievers but now convinced.
2. The women, including wives and specifically Mary the Mother of Jesus.
3. Numerous other disciples, making up the rest of the 120 who returned.
V. The Choosing of Matthias (Acts 1:15-26)
A. There were many other disciples elsewhere.
B. Peter takes the lead in replacing Judas Iscariot
1. Insisting they conduct a little business while waiting on the Lord.
2. He feels justified having found some Scripture which supports Him.
C. Luke breaks in to explain to his Roman readers what happened to Judas.
D. Peter continues his appeal in verse 20.
1, He had no instruction to do anything but wait.
2. When the Spirit came He would direct the disciples.
3. It was strictly human judgment.
E. Peter gives the qualifications and rushes the event.
F. Used and Old Testament method for decisions, casting lots.
1. Placed names in vase and the first one to fall out wins.
2. This method was never heard of again under the new covenant.