BIBLE STUDY: An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles (Lesson 2 – April 25, 2024)

 

An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles

(Lesson 2 – April 25, 2024)

 

A. Historical Events in the Acts of the Apostles

1. The Community Gathers in Jerusalem (Acts 1:1-8:3)

a. A Mission Command (Acts 1:1-9)

b. A Foretaste of God’s Reign (Acts 1:10-2:47)

c. God’s Word is Boldly Preached in Word and Deed (Acts 3:1-4:37)

d. Internal and External Struggles in the Young Community of Believers (Acts 5:1-42)

e. Stephen’s Call as Deacon, Brave Speech, and Death (Acts 6:1-8:3)

2. Witness to the Gospel Extends into Samaria (Acts 8:4-40)

3. Saul, Soon to Be Known as Paul, Is Called to Witness (Acts 9:1-31)

4. Witness to the Gentiles and Calling to the Larger World (Acts 9:32-15:35)

a. Creating a New Community of Jewish and Gentile Believers (Acts 9:32-11:18)

b. The Church Grows in Antioch (Acts 11:19-30)

c. King Herod: Persecutor and Blasphemer (Acts 12:1-25)

d. Barnabas and Paul Travel to New Places (Acts 13:1-14:28)

e. The First Great Council (Acts 15:1-35)

5. Paul’s Witness in Cities around the Aegean Sea (Acts 15:36-21:16)

a. Paul Visits Syria and Cilicia with Silas (Acts 15:36-41)

b. Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:1-40)

c. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Athens (Acts 17:1-33)

d. Paul in Corinth and Ephesus (Acts 18:1-19:41)

e. Paul Sets Sail for Jerusalem (Acts 20:1-21:16)

6. Paul’s Witness in Jerusalem (Acts 21:17-23:30)

7. Paul’s Witness to Gentiles and Kings (Acts 23:31-26:32)

8. Paul’s Journey to Rome (Acts 27:1-28:31)

 

B. The Ministry of Peter – Acts 1:1-12:25

1. Peter's First Sermon – Acts 1:1-2:47

2. Peter's Post-Pentecost Ministry – Acts 3:1-4:37

3. Persecution of Peter and the Apostles – Acts 5:1-42

4. Persecution of the Church I – Acts 6:1-7:60

5. Persecution of the Church II – Acts 8:1-9:43

6. Peter Preaches to the Gentiles – Acts 10:1-12:25

C. Ministry of Paul – Conversion around 35, then a stay in Nabatean Arabia. About 35/38, first journey to Jerusalem. Activity in Syria, Cilicia. Antioch. About 48, the Apostolic Council. Stay in Corinth: winter 49/50 – summer 51. Journey to Antioch via Caesarea. Early 52, through Asia Minor to Ephesus, thence in 54 to Macedonia. Winter 54/55: three months in Corinth. Pentecost 55 in Jerusalem. Arrest. Transfer to Caesarea. Late summer 55, departure for Rome. Malta. Early 56, arrival in Rome. End of Acts – 58.

 

E. Important Terminology

Apostle (literally “one sent”) a missionary, “commissioned representative” Acts 14.14

Christian (Messianist): follower of Joshua/Jesus “the Messiah” First used in Acts 11.26

Deacon: (Gk “diakonein” meaning “to serve)” (Acts 6.2)

Epicureanism: (Epicurus) sensualism, (treat everything equally, despite social pressures)

Hellenists (or “Greeks,” in contrast with “Hebrews”) saw no need to retain the Hebrew language, but rather spoke Greek - also are undefined in Acts 6.1; open to adopting the customs of their non-Jewish neighbors.

Heresy: derived from the Greek word for “sub-group” or “sect”; in early Christian circles it came to designate objectionable ideas and/or groups within “Christianity”

Martyr: (Gk “martus” - “a witness”) “witness” despite the threat of death (a ‘blood witness’)

Pharisaic: Christian subgroup apparently observed traditional Jewish-Pharisaic law (Acts 15.5)

Gentile (Gk “ethnos” -- a person “from the nations”): one who is not Jewish

Salvation (“healing”; “liberation” etc.): acceptance by God

 

E. The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Act of the Apostles      

The first two chapters of Acts present - the Holy Spirit

- Pentecost in 30AD is such a monumental day for the church

- Peter gave the first sermon to church guided by the Holy Spirit: Jesus words fulfilled (Mt 10:20)

- Covered externally with the Spirit like prophets but also live within them as was in Jesus; the growing forces - systematic expansion, from Jerusalem to the majority of the Roman world

- HS is both the wind and the fire, the ship and the sea and he is the road and the horse (symbolic)

- HS inspires the preaching, proves the validity of the words illuminating hearers, resulting in faith

- HS not only provides words but also the faith and boldness to proclaim them, as with Stephen

- HS sent people to specific places like Samaria, Macedonia, Asia

- Paul gained the attention of Sergius Paullus by the blinding of the sorcerer (13:6-17) Bar-Jesus

- Peter saw the region of Joppa open up because of the resurrection of Tabitha (Acts 9:36-43)

-  After Pentecost, Peter and John saw the crippled healed (Acts. 3:1-9)

- Philip performed wonders in Samaria beyond the ability of the famous Elymas (Acts 8:5-40) Because of Philip an entire region outside of Judea received the gospel where the HS led him

 

-        The unity of activity toward the special function of each member of the Trinity: the executive is the Father, the architect is the Son, and the contractor is the Holy Spirit.

 

Conclusion

-        First, the HS provided inspiration, illumination, recollection, and revelation to the believers so they could preach the gospel and argue from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

-        Secondly, the HS would confirm the words through healings, miracles a,nd prophetic insights. Thirdly, the HS acted as the confirmation sign that a person was a believer in Christ.

-        Lastly, the HS acted as a living blueprint for how the Kingdom of God was to expand and the local church could be established.

 

F. 1831 CCC: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. 1832 CCC: The twelve fruits of the Spirit are "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.