(Monday, June 7, 2010)           The Old Testament shows our need of a Redeemer and God’s promise to send One.  The Gospels show how that was fulfilled in Jesus.  The book of Acts picks up the story after Jesus’ ascension back to heaven (1:1-26).  It shows how a handful of believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, started the church and spread God’s message to the world.  The epistles are letters written to churches and individuals during the time of Acts.  Revelation shows the final fulfillment of all the ages. 

LUKE THE WRITER  Luke wrote both Luke and Acts.  While Paul wrote the most books in the New Testament, 13, and John was next with 5, Luke wrote the most pages.  His book called Acts was a follow-up to his Gospel of Luke.  It is a historical book, a transitional book.  It is not a theology for us to apply in every detail, but it is an accurate historical record of the transition from Law to Grace, from Israel to Church, from Jew and Gentile to Bride of Christ.  Any transition takes time and goes through various stages.  This was true of the early church, too. 

            The book follows the outline laid down in 1:8: “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.”

I. “JERUSALEM” (1-7)  In the first section of Acts the focus is on Jerusalem.  Peter leads the early church.   The account is picked up with the ascension of Jesus to heaven (1).  The start of the early church in Jerusalem is recorded – Pentecost (2).  Events of the young church are then listed: a cripple cured (3), Peter and John arrested and released (4), Ananias and Saphira killed for deception (5), 7 deacons chosen to help with the work load (6) and the death of Stephen (7). 

II. “JUDEA & SAMARIA”  (8-12)   God used this first wave of persecution against the Christians in Jerusalem to cause them to scatter with the gospel.  They should have done this before but didn’t, now they must.  Philip’s preaching in Samaria and to the Ethiopian eunuch, (8), Paul’s conversion (9), and Peter’s evangelism of the Gentile Cornelius and his household (10-11) comprise the historical elements.  The church has gone from Jews in Jerusalem to Jews and Gentiles throughout Palestine. 

III. “ENDS OF THE EARTH” (13-28)  In this third section the focus shifts to Paul and his missionary journeys – 3 of them (13 – 20). Paul was the one to take the gospel to Gentiles and start churches in Asia Minor and even into Europe itself.   The book ends with Paul’s arrest and trip to Rome for trial (21-28).  After his release he continued to travel, then was martyred in Rome. 

            Now it’s our turn to take the gospel and spread it.  Like in a relay race, each one has his turn to do his part.  Now is your turn as part of this generation.  Don’t drop the baton!

TITLE: After the ACTions of the Holy Spirit

AUTHOR:  Luke

DATE of WRITING:  About 63 AD

PLACE of  WRITING: Various places

TIME COVERED:  AD 30 – 60

RECIPIENTS:  Theophilus, then everyone

KEY VERSE: “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.” (Acts 1:8)

KEY WORD:  “Holy Spirit” (54 times); “name” (33 times), “witness” (12 times)

PURPOSE:  The Gospels contain the facts of Jesus’ earthly life.  Acts continues the story about

the start of the early church and sets the background for understanding the epistles.

THEME:  To continue the record of the works (‘acts”) of the risen Lord. 

Spend some time reading this book this week.