Introduction to Introduction to ActsActs

Part 1Part 1

Introduction to Introduction to ActsActs

Part 1Part 1

ORGANIZATION OF ORGANIZATION OF ACTSACTS

ORGANIZATION OF ORGANIZATION OF ACTSACTS

Appreciate the growth of the early church and

why.

Understand how people Understand how people became Christians in became Christians in

the 1the 1stst century century

Can we follow their example today?

Examine the Examine the role of the role of the

Holy Spirit Holy Spirit in in Acts Acts

Overview Overview of of

ActsActs

Overview Overview of of

ActsActs

Summary:Summary:Summary:Summary:• The story of Christians The story of Christians from the resurrection of from the resurrection of Christ to the first Christ to the first missionary efforts missionary efforts primarily by Peter primarily by Peter and Paul the Apostlesand Paul the Apostles

• Written by LukeWritten by Luke

TitleTitle

AuthorAuthor

Date period &Date period &

Chronology apparent Chronology apparent purposespurposes

Importance and placeImportance and place

Several ways of analysing Several ways of analysing actsacts

Several outlinesSeveral outlines

mmost common mmost common titletitle

The acts of the The acts of the apostlesapostles

Title:Title:Title:Title: The Title was man made The Title was man made

not God inspired. Some not God inspired. Some have said that the book of have said that the book of Acts would better be Acts would better be named named “Some of the Acts “Some of the Acts of some of the Apostles” of some of the Apostles” or or “Acts of the Holy Spirit”.“Acts of the Holy Spirit”.

Most accurate titleMost accurate title

some of the acts of some of the acts of some of the some of the

apostlesapostles

Author:Author:Author:Author: According to According to verse 1verse 1 the author the author

describes himself as having written describes himself as having written a former book. An examination and a former book. An examination and comparison to the book of Luke comparison to the book of Luke indicates that Luke was the author indicates that Luke was the author of both books. Luke describes of both books. Luke describes himself as being an eyewitness to himself as being an eyewitness to some of this by using the pronoun some of this by using the pronoun “We” “We” such as in such as in 16:10-1316:10-13..

Companion of PaulCompanion of Paul

Tradition has him a native of Antioch in Tradition has him a native of Antioch in Syria though it seems Paul first met him Syria though it seems Paul first met him on his third missionary journey at Troas on on his third missionary journey at Troas on the western coast of Asia Minor the western coast of Asia Minor (Turkey) (Turkey) on the Adriatic Sea on the Adriatic Sea (Acts 16). (Acts 16).

From that point until Paul leaves Philippi From that point until Paul leaves Philippi and Macedonia to go to Achaia, the and Macedonia to go to Achaia, the narrative speaks of Paul and his narrative speaks of Paul and his companions as companions as “we.”“we.”

HE REJOINS PAUL AND HIS HE REJOINS PAUL AND HIS ENTOURAGE AT PHILIPPIENTOURAGE AT PHILIPPI

He rejoins Paul and his companions later He rejoins Paul and his companions later when they return through Macedonia when they return through Macedonia (Acts (Acts 20) 20) collecting the gifts of the Gentile collecting the gifts of the Gentile churches to take to the churches of Judea churches to take to the churches of Judea to help combat the effects of the predicted to help combat the effects of the predicted famine famine (Acts 11:27-30; Galatians 2:9 & 10; (Acts 11:27-30; Galatians 2:9 & 10; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Romans 15:26 & 27). 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Romans 15:26 & 27).

PROBABLY WITH PAUL PROBABLY WITH PAUL TO THE ENDTO THE END

He travels with Paul and his other He travels with Paul and his other companions to Jerusalem on this companions to Jerusalem on this mission and is with Paul during his mission and is with Paul during his imprisonment at Caesarea. imprisonment at Caesarea.

He then traveled with Paul when Paul He then traveled with Paul when Paul went as a prisoner to Rome. went as a prisoner to Rome.

He seems to have remained with Paul He seems to have remained with Paul until the end of his ministry until the end of his ministry (2 Timothy (2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24).4:11; Philemon 24).

Author:Author:Author:Author:

Luke Working as a PhysicianLuke Working as a Physician

There is no serious doubt among There is no serious doubt among Bible scholars and historians that the Bible scholars and historians that the human author of this book of early human author of this book of early church and apostolic history was church and apostolic history was Luke, the beloved physician, constant Luke, the beloved physician, constant companion of the Apostle Paul and companion of the Apostle Paul and author of the gospel of Luke.author of the gospel of Luke.

There is no serious doubt among There is no serious doubt among Bible scholars and historians that the Bible scholars and historians that the human author of this book of early human author of this book of early church and apostolic history was church and apostolic history was Luke, the beloved physician, constant Luke, the beloved physician, constant companion of the Apostle Paul and companion of the Apostle Paul and author of the gospel of Luke.author of the gospel of Luke.

AUTHOR?AUTHOR?

Almost unanimous Almost unanimous conclusionconclusion

Luke and the Holy SpiritLuke and the Holy Spirit

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT LUKEINTERESTING THINGS ABOUT LUKE

Probably a gentileProbably a gentile

He was a doctorHe was a doctor

He was an He was an accurate historianaccurate historian

Luke’s Teeth?Luke’s Teeth?

LUKE’S PHYSICAL REMAINSLUKE’S PHYSICAL REMAINS

A marble lead-lined sarcophagus or A marble lead-lined sarcophagus or coffin containing bones of a skeleton coffin containing bones of a skeleton and two teeth, but with the skull and two teeth, but with the skull missing has been identified with high missing has been identified with high probability as those of Luke the probability as those of Luke the physician, evangelist and historian. physician, evangelist and historian.

PROBABLY A SYRIANPROBABLY A SYRIAN Analysis of the DNA of the teeth Analysis of the DNA of the teeth

suggests that its owner came from the suggests that its owner came from the region of Antioch, Luke’s purported region of Antioch, Luke’s purported home area, and was a Syrian, not a home area, and was a Syrian, not a Greek. Greek.

Analysis and carbon dating of the Analysis and carbon dating of the bones indicate that the remains were of bones indicate that the remains were of a male of about 84-86 years who died a male of about 84-86 years who died between 72 AD and 416 AD. between 72 AD and 416 AD.

Luke is thought to have died in Thebes Luke is thought to have died in Thebes or Patras, Greece in about 150 AD.or Patras, Greece in about 150 AD.

His body was taken to His body was taken to Constantinople in 338 AD and later Constantinople in 338 AD and later moved to Padua, Italy. The location moved to Padua, Italy. The location of the skull is known and has been of the skull is known and has been found to fit the top of the spine found to fit the top of the spine exactly. There are other evidences exactly. There are other evidences that we will not go into here. But if that we will not go into here. But if you are interested in reading further you are interested in reading further on the subject, please go to this web on the subject, please go to this web site:site:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/10/21/wluke21.xmlxml=/news/2001/10/21/wluke21.xml

His body was taken to His body was taken to Constantinople in 338 AD and later Constantinople in 338 AD and later moved to Padua, Italy. The location moved to Padua, Italy. The location of the skull is known and has been of the skull is known and has been found to fit the top of the spine found to fit the top of the spine exactly. There are other evidences exactly. There are other evidences that we will not go into here. But if that we will not go into here. But if you are interested in reading further you are interested in reading further on the subject, please go to this web on the subject, please go to this web site:site:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/10/21/wluke21.xmlxml=/news/2001/10/21/wluke21.xml

PHYSICIAN AND HISTORIANPHYSICIAN AND HISTORIAN

Luke was a physician and historian who was Luke was a physician and historian who was in the Land of Israel at least two years in the Land of Israel at least two years staying near Paul when Paul was in the jail staying near Paul when Paul was in the jail at Caesarea. at Caesarea.

He had ample time to research the facts of He had ample time to research the facts of the gospel story since most of the the gospel story since most of the eyewitnesses of the events were still alive eyewitnesses of the events were still alive and living in Palestine.and living in Palestine.

Also a prophet, his writing is quoted as Also a prophet, his writing is quoted as “scripture” “scripture” by Paul by Paul (1 Timothy 5:18; Luke (1 Timothy 5:18; Luke 10:7).10:7).

FOR THEOPHILUSFOR THEOPHILUS He addresses both his gospel and the He addresses both his gospel and the

Book of Acts to a man who seems to have Book of Acts to a man who seems to have had some political authority or was a had some political authority or was a member of the nobility of Greece, Rome member of the nobility of Greece, Rome or Syria. or Syria.

An early tradition has him the governor of An early tradition has him the governor of Achaia. That he was a person in some Achaia. That he was a person in some position of power is indicated by the position of power is indicated by the phrase by which Luke addresses him, phrase by which Luke addresses him, “Most Excellent Theophilus” “Most Excellent Theophilus” in in Luke 1:3 Luke 1:3 (Compare Acts 24:3 and 26:25)(Compare Acts 24:3 and 26:25). .

FOR THEOPHILUSFOR THEOPHILUS

““Theophilus” Theophilus” is a Greek word that means is a Greek word that means “One Who Loves God.” “One Who Loves God.”

That fact has led some to believe that Luke That fact has led some to believe that Luke is actually addressing his two treatises to is actually addressing his two treatises to every person who loves God.every person who loves God.

It is certain that only the person who loves It is certain that only the person who loves God will want to believe and obey Him.God will want to believe and obey Him.

It is also obvious that the book had an It is also obvious that the book had an intended readership beyond a single intended readership beyond a single individual.individual.

““Theophilus” Theophilus” is a Greek word that means is a Greek word that means “One Who Loves God.” “One Who Loves God.”

That fact has led some to believe that Luke That fact has led some to believe that Luke is actually addressing his two treatises to is actually addressing his two treatises to every person who loves God.every person who loves God.

It is certain that only the person who loves It is certain that only the person who loves God will want to believe and obey Him.God will want to believe and obey Him.

It is also obvious that the book had an It is also obvious that the book had an intended readership beyond a single intended readership beyond a single individual.individual.

Acts is demonstrated by its Acts is demonstrated by its unity to be the work of one unity to be the work of one

author. author.

It is unified by diction and style It is unified by diction and style and by the leading ideas and by the leading ideas

throughout; throughout;

It’s doctrinal unity is rarely It’s doctrinal unity is rarely questioned.questioned.

DATE OF WRITINGDATE OF WRITING

PERIOD COVEREDPERIOD COVERED

AND CHRONOLOGYAND CHRONOLOGY

Acts 12:23Acts 12:23; king ; king Agrippa died 44 ADAgrippa died 44 AD

Acts 11:28Acts 11:28; famine ; famine 46 AD46 AD

Date:Date:Date:Date: Likely AD 62 to AD 64. Paul not yet killed Likely AD 62 to AD 64. Paul not yet killed

and temple not recorded as being destroyed. and temple not recorded as being destroyed. It seems unlikely that the book would have It seems unlikely that the book would have

not mentioned the destruction of Jerusalem not mentioned the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD if it had yet happened. in 70 AD if it had yet happened.

Acts 1:19 Acts 1:19 talks of Jerusalem as though it talks of Jerusalem as though it has not yet been destroyed. Scofield has not yet been destroyed. Scofield believes that this book covers the first 32 believes that this book covers the first 32 years after the death of Christ.years after the death of Christ.

We conclude that We conclude that the book was the book was

written around written around

62 - 64 A.D.62 - 64 A.D.

Historical periodHistorical period

Covered in the Covered in the book of Actsbook of Acts

29 to 33 years29 to 33 years

““He lived there two whole years He lived there two whole years at his own expense welcomed at his own expense welcomed

all who came to him, all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord and teaching about the Lord

Jesus Christ quite openly and Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered”unhindered”

So we have approximately So we have approximately

29-30 years 29-30 years from the from the ascension of Christ ascension of Christ (33 (33 A.D.) A.D.) to Paul's second to Paul's second year in prison year in prison (62-63 (62-63

A.D.).A.D.).

ROMAN EMPERORSROMAN EMPERORS

TiberiusTiberius (14-37 AD) (14-37 AD)

CALIGULACALIGULA (37-41) (37-41)

CLAUDIUSCLAUDIUS (41-54) (41-54)

NERONERO (54-68) (54-68)

Recipients:Recipients:Recipients:Recipients:

Early ChristiansEarly Christians Us!Us!

Short Outline:Short Outline:Short Outline:Short Outline:

Acts Chapters 1-9 Acts Chapters 1-9 Peter is Prominent.Peter is Prominent.

Acts Chapters 10-Acts Chapters 10-28 28 Paul is ProminentPaul is Prominent

AN AN APPROXIMATE APPROXIMATE CHRONOLOGYCHRONOLOGY

A.D. 33A.D. 33

Establishment of the Establishment of the church in church in

JerusalemJerusalem

1 - 61 - 6

A.D. 35A.D. 35

Stoning of StephenStoning of Stephen

Dispersion of the Dispersion of the churchchurch

7 - 87 - 8

A.D. 35A.D. 35

Conversion of SaulConversion of Saul

99

A.D. 38A.D. 38

Paul’s first visit to Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem after his Jerusalem after his

ConversionConversion

99

A.D. 40A.D. 40

Conversion of Conversion of Cornelius the Cornelius the

GentileGentile

1010

A.D. 42A.D. 42

Reception of the Reception of the Gentiles into the Gentiles into the church at Antiochchurch at Antioch

1111

A.D. 44A.D. 44

Paul’s second visit Paul’s second visit to Jerusalemto Jerusalem

1212

A.D. 45-48A.D. 45-48

First evangelistic First evangelistic journey (Paul and journey (Paul and

Barnabus)Barnabus)

13 - 1413 - 14

A.D. 50A.D. 50

Meeting at Meeting at JerusalemJerusalem

1515

A.D. 50-53A.D. 50-53

Second evangelistic Second evangelistic journey (Paul and journey (Paul and

Silas)Silas)

16 - 1816 - 18

A.D. 54-57A.D. 54-57

Third evangelistic Third evangelistic journey (Paul)journey (Paul)

19 - 2019 - 20

A.D. 58A.D. 58

Paul reached Paul reached JerusalemJerusalem

20 - 2320 - 23

A.D. 58-60A.D. 58-60

Paul in CaesareaPaul in Caesarea

24 - 2624 - 26

A.D. 60-61A.D. 60-61

Paul’s voyage to Paul’s voyage to

RomeRome

27 - 2827 - 28

A.D. 61-63A.D. 61-63

Paul in RomePaul in Rome

For two yearsFor two years

2828