Hanover Baptist Church

 

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Acts, Lesson 1

2.26.06, Josh MacAvoy

Introduction to Acts

I.                 The Writer of Acts

A.    Luke’s mention in the Bible

Col. 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

2 Tim. 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Philemon 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

 

B.    Luke’s personal account

Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

 

II.               The Book of Acts

-        Similar to the gospel of Luke. Both were written by the same man to the same man.

      Luke 1:1-4

      Acts 1:1-4

A.    The story of the book

-        It is a theological-historical narrative

 

B.    The focus of the book

1.     The growth of the church

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

2.     The leadership of the church.

 

C.    The purpose of the book

1.     To show the beginning and growth of the church

2.     To show the gospel given to Gentiles.

3.     Not to be a manual for church growth, Christian experience, missions.

-        Unique to Acts:

-        Holy Spirit’s coming on the Day of Pentecost (2:1-4)

-        Apostolic Witness (4:33)

-        Immediate Discipline of Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11)

 

III.             The Overview of Acts

A.    Outline of Acts

1.     God’s witness in Jerusalem (Acts 1:1 – 7:60)

2.     God’s witness in Samaria (Acts 8:1- 9:31)

3.     God’s witness throughout the Gentile World (Acts 9:32-28:31)

 

B.    Events of Acts

1.     Acts 1:1 – 6:3       Ascension of Christ, birth of the church, spread of the gospel in Jerusalem

2.     Acts 6:8 – 7:60     Stephen

3.     Acts 9                    Paul’s conversion

4.     Acts 10                  Cornelius

5.     Acts 13 &14         Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey

6.     Acts 15 – 18:22    Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey

7.     Acts 18:23-21:16  Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey

8.     Acts 21:17-28:31  Paul’s Journey to Rome