UNDERSTANDING ACTS – SERMON ONE: INTRODUCTION

(1:1-2) THE BOOK OF ACTS IS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE STORY OF JESUS GOES ON AND ON BEYOND HIS DEATH, BEYOND HIS RESURRECTION, AND EVEN BEYOND HIS ASCENSION.!

Christ Jesus came to this world in a human body – Body #1

Since HIS ascension, Christ Jesus has ministered in this present world through HIS Church – Body #2

The overall theme of Acts is… “Body #2 Takes Over!”

(1:1a) Luke is the human Author of at least two, and possibly three New Testament Books: Luke, Acts, and likely, Hebrews.

“In the first book…” refers to The Gospel of Luke.                           

Luke was a Gentile (Col. 4:10-14)

(10) “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions– if he comes to you, welcome him), (11) and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.                (12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. (13) For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. (14) Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”

Luke was a Physician (Col. 4:14)

“Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.”

Luke got his apostolic authority from being the companion and the amanuensis of Paul!

Acts 16:10-17, 20:5-15, 21:1-8 and 27:1–28:16.

(1:1b) God often uses people of whom we know little to do great things in His Kingdom! “O Theophilus…”                             

His name means, “God-Lover”                                

“Theophilus” may have been a “nickname”           

He may have paid for the publication of Luke’s writings

(1:1c-2a) Luke states that the purpose of his gospel was to share the story of the beginning of Jesus’ work from His birth to His ascension!

“I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, (2) until the day when he was taken up…”

The Book of Acts takes up the story of Jesus’ life and work through His Holy Spirit-indwelt and Holy Spirit-filled Church from that day to until Paul’s arrival in Rome. (ca. 60 AD)

(1:2b) Luke restates the obvious when he says that the words of Jesus to His disciples are, “commands.”

“after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.”

Cf. Luke 6:46

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

(1:3) THE BOOK OF ACTS IS ABOUT THE FACT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE AND WELL AND WORKING IN THE WORLD!

(1:3) Jesus proved to the Apostles (and hundreds of others) that He was alive after His death!

“To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”         

Cf. 1st Corinthians 15:3-8

(3) “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,           (4) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (5) and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

(6) Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.               (7) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. (8) Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

They saw Him! John 20:19-29

Jesus appears to the disciples in an upper room on a Sunday evening

The disciples were afraid of the Jewish leaders and locked themselves in the room

Jesus greets the disciples and shows them his hands and side

Jesus says, “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me”

Luke 24:36-49

Jesus appears to the disciples and says, “Peace be with you”

The disciples are frightened and think they see a ghost

Jesus says, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see”

John 21:1-17

Jesus appears to the disciples while they are fishing

Jesus provides them with breakfast, which includes fish and bread.

Jesus asks Simon Peter if he loves him more than the fish.

Jesus tells Simon Peter to feed his lambs and sheep.

They touched Him!

They ate with Him!                                                    

He performed miracles!                                       

Acts 1:9 He ascended into heaven!

“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.”