BIBLE STUDY: An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles (Lesson 1 – April 11, 2024)

 

An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles

(Lesson 1 – April 11, 2024)

1.     A Vision to Prophet Ezekiel: One thousand cubits - ankle-deep (Ezk 47:3 - 47:3); one thousand - knee-deep (47:4) one thousand - up to the waist (47:4) one thousand - river that I could not cross (47:5), the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh (47:8) everything will live where the river goes (47:9).

2.     Fulfilment of the Vision!!! A few at the foot of the Cross (Jn 19:25,27) 3000 at Pentecost by Peter: Time of Constantine the Great (300 AD) six Million Today?  Water (Holy Spirit) flown into every dead sea (Heart) is fructified.

3.     The Author of the Acts

- The author of Acts never gives his name. Traditionally, Luke is assigned as its author. Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria ascribe it.  The writer addresses Theophilus = lover of God (Lk 1:3), who seems to be the same individual to whom the gospel of Luke was also directed - a reference to a “former treatise” – third Gospel (1:1-2) – “publisher” or “patron”.

- Written in the first person plural - “we” signifies that the writer was an eye-witness of what he wrote and the companion of Paul (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1; 28:16).

- Both the gospel of Luke and Acts frequently use medical terminology “the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14).

4.  Date of Writing

Paul is in prison, still alive in Rome. We place the date of writing of Acts of the Apostles as before 70 A.D. And after Paul reached Rome, probably 63 A.D., or thereabout (some 20 or 30 years after Paul).

5.     To Whom the Book Was Written?

Although is addressed personally to Theophilus, as was the gospel of Luke, it was intended surely for a much wider reading (Act 2) especially to preach the gospel to the Jews and  Gentile world as God intended (Acts 1:8).

6.     The Purpose of the Book

The common purpose of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles is expressed in Luke 1:4—“that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed” apart from a number of specific aims.

1. An Historical Motive: A comparison of Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:5 - Luke “the things that Jesus began to do and teach” and the continuation of the mission - Acts 1:8.

2. The Defense Motive: Luke constantly calls attention to the fact of contrast in the face of increasing hostility of the government toward Christianity.

3. The Biographical Motive: While Luke’s record is primarily devoted to the revelation of the gospel and to the work of the Holy Spirit yet, he divides the historical record of Acts into two sections: 1 to 12 the history of Peter’s work, and 13 to 28 a record of the work of Paul to Gentile.

7. Contents and General Themes in Acts of the Apostles

The book of Acts of the Apostles records for us the history of the beginning, growth and spread of Christianity for at least the first 30 years, from the ascension of Jesus to the imprisonment of Paul.

1.     The Fulfilment of God’s Saving Plan

2.     The Risen Jesus acts Through his Spirit-filled Disciples

3.     Continuity amid change: God keeps his promises to his people

4.     Healing and Restoration of God’s People

5.     Triumph of Christianity despite all Obstacles

6.     God’s Guidance of the Christian Way (Act 5:32; 4:31; 9:31; Rom. 8:14)

7.     Apologetic for Christianity, especially for Paul

8.  Theological Themes: Baptism, Boldness, Christians in society, Friendship and the Christian Community, Friendship and the Holy Spirit, Future hope for all humankind, God and other powers, God’s faithfulness, Holy Spirit, Inclusion of the Gentiles in the people of God, Mission, and hospitality, “Not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26), The prevailing word of the Lord, Salvation and the end of time.

9. Baptism: Provide answers to the following questions

Where is Baptism mentioned in Acts? (Acts 8:36-38)

What prevents me from being baptized?” (Answer of Philip)

What does the Bible say about baptism in Acts 2:38?

How did they Baptize in the Book of Acts? (Acts 9: 5 =6)

Why did they Baptize in Jesus’s name in Acts?

How many times can you be baptized according to the Bible?

Who was baptized in Acts 18:8?

Does the Bible say you have to be Baptized to go to heaven? (Jn 3:5)

How many people were baptized in Acts? (Act 2:41)

Who was Baptized in Acts 16:15?

When did the Church stop Baptizing in Jesus' name?

Can anyone be Baptized in the Holy Spirit? (Jn 17:20; I Thess. 4:2, 7; 5:23, 24) =(Acts 2:1-4; 15:8, 9)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)