Brief Introduction of the Book of Acts

 

Acts is Luke’s report of the beginning and the explosive growth of Christianity.  Its dominant theme is the Holy Spirit, whose coming after Christ returned to heaven launched the church as the living body of Christ.

Acts focuses on the ministry of two men.  The apostle Peter dominates the first 12 chapters, as the church is firmly established in Palestine and welcomes the first gentile converts.  The apostle Paul is featured in the rest of the book, as he launched an aggressive missionary campaign that within decades reached every part of the Roman Empire, and beyond.

Acts fascinates us today, with its vivid images of first-century life, its clear depiction of early gospel preaching, and its testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit.  A study of this book reminds us that the Spirit is still the source of spiritual power for Christ’s church today.

 

Outline of Contents

1. Preparation                   Acts 1
2. Power                           Acts 2
3. Mission to the Jews       Acts 3-12
4. Mission to the gentiles   Acts 13-20
5. Paul’s Imprisonment      Acts 21-28

 

 

PRAYING FOR UNBELIEVING OIKOS

• Write on a card 1-2 names of friends whose salvation the Holy Spirit is calling you to pray for.
• Pray for them daily.
• At each cell gathering, spend 15 minutes pray for these names, using the following as a guide:

1. Lord, I pray that you draw ___________ to yourself.
2. I ask you, Lord, to prevent Satan from blinding ___________ to the truth.
3. Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict ___________ of sin and the need for Christ’s redemption.
4. I ask that you send someone who will share the gospel with ___________.
5. Lord, I pray that ___________ will confess Jesus as Lord, grow in faith, and bear fruit for your glory. Amen.

Acts 1        English Standard Version (ESV)

 

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, ² until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ³ He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

⁴ And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Ascension

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ⁹ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, ¹¹ and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.¹³ And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. ………

……… ²³ And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

 

Reflection

• During Jesus’ last days on earth, he taught his disciples the truth about himself. His disciples questioned Jesus about his kingdom (v6). And Jesus told them their specific role in what was to happen.
• Jesus knew that the disciples would feel anxious and be lack of confidence. So, when he instructed his disciples to witness to the world, he told them to wait a few days. The Spirit will come. You will receive power. And then you “will be my witnesses” – in your neighbourhood and throughout the world!
• The term “with one accord” (v14) pictures the church gathered – praying, worshiping, reaching decisions – in a spirit of unity and harmony. This is what we definitely need as each of us tries to fulfill the task Jesus gave for the church.
• How are you affected when you pray with other believers—especially as you consider your part in God’s mission for the church?
• Thank God for giving you a task to carry out, and tell him about the fears and joys you feel as his servant. Thank God for the privilege of praying “with one accord” with other believers in the church.

 

Prayer:

Pray to God and reflect on the reality that you are part of Jesus’ church. You are now as involved in preaching the gospel as the disciples. How do you feel about this? Ask God to empower you with His Spirit to bear witness for Him.