ACTS (Part I: Chapters 1-12)
Second volume of a 2 part treatise written by Luke.
Written to Theopholis about “all that Jesus began to do and teach”
Frequent use of medical terms
Luke answered the Macedonian call with Paul, was in charge of the work at Philippi for about six years, and later was with Paul in Rome during the time of Paul’s house arrest. It was probably during this last period that the book was written.
Date: A.D. 61
Likely written in Rome or Caesarea and Rome.
Theme and Purpose:
historical link between the Gospels and the Epistles.
Begins with Christ’s Ascension and continues to the period of the New Testament Epistles. In it we have the continuation of the ministry of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit at work in the apostles who went forth preaching and establishing the church, the body of Christ
Provides an account of the life of Paul and gives us the historical occasion for his letters. In the process, Acts recounts the first 30 years of the life of the church.
Progress of the kingdom message from Jews to Gentiles, and from Jerusalem to Rome
Historical Motive: History shown as Holy Spirit carried on the work of Jesus and that work is seen through the lives of the apostles. Provides about 30 years of history of the early church.
Defense Motive: In the midst of increasing hostility toward Christianity, the gospel was presented to many government officials.
Biographical Motive: Luke divides Acts into 2 sections; 1-12 the history of Peter’s work and 13-28 the work of Paul to the Gentiles.
Key Word:
The key concept for Acts would be the growth of the Church in all the world.
Two key words are “witness” or “witnesses,” and “the Holy Spirit.”
Key Verses:
1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”
2:42-47 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. 2:43 Reverential awe came on everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 2:44 All who believed were together and held everything in common, 2:45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. 2:46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, 2:47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved.
Key Chapters:
Since the accomplishment of the church’s global mission of worldwide outreach is dependent on the coming of the Holy Spirit, chapter 2 is naturally the key chapter. This chapter records the fulfillment of 1:8 on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came and began His ministry of baptizing believers into Christ’s body, the church (cf. 1:5; 11:15-16 with 1 Cor. 12:13), began indwelling all believers and empowering them to be witnesses of the Savior.
Key People:
Key people include: Peter, Stephen, Philip, James, Barnabas and Paul.
Christ as Seen in Acts:
he resurrected Savior is the central theme of the sermons and defenses in Acts. The Old Testament Scriptures, the historical resurrection, the apostolic testimony, and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit all bear witness that Jesus is both Lord and Christ (see Peter’s sermons in 2:22-36; 20:34-43). “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (10:43). “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (4:12).35
Outline:
Acts can be naturally outlined around Acts 1:8, the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.36
I. The Witness in Jerusalem (1:1-6:7)
A. The Expectation of the Chosen (1:1-2:47) Progress report no. 1: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (2:47).
B. The Expansion of the Church in Jerusalem (3:1-6:7) Progress report no. 2: “So the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (6:7).
II. The Witness in all Judea and Samaria (6:8-9:31)
A. The Martyrdom of Stephen (6:8-8:1a)
1. The Arrest of Stephen (6:8-7:1)
2. The Address of Stephen (7:2-53)
3. The Attack on Stephen (7:54-8:1a)
B. The Ministry of Philip (8:1b-40)
C. The Message of Saul (9:1-19a)
D. The Conflicts of Saul (9:19b-31) Progress report no. 3: “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria … was strengthened; and [it was] encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord” (9:31).
III. The Witness to the Extremity of the Earth (9:32-28:31)
A. The Extension of the Church to Antioch (9:32-12:24) Progress report no. 4: “But the Word of God continued to increase and spread” (12:24).
B. The Extension of the Church in Asia Minor (12:25-16:5) Progress report no. 5: “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers” (16:5).
C. The Extension of the Church in the Aegean Area (16:6-19:20) Progress report no. 6: “In this way the Word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power” (19:20).
D. The Extension of the Church to Rome (19:21-28:31) Progress report no. 7: “Paul … welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (28:30-31).
Historical Reference:
Apostolic Office and Work. We see the office of apostles and the record of the work they performed.
Witness for Christ (1:8; 1:21-22)
Ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20; Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-32)
Had authority to speak on Christ’s behalf and make His decrees known. Their testimony is binding in heaven and on earth (Matt 18:18)
Authority to rule/govern the church (Matt 19:28; Acts 2:42; Gal 2:1-9; I John 4:6)
Earthern vessels with the purpose of revealing Christ and His will (2 Cor 4:7)
Redemption: the Work of Holy Spirit
Promised by Christ (John 14:16-17, 25-26; 16:7-1; Acts 1:8) on the day of Pentecost (2:33, 2:15-21, 2:1-4)
Mission of Holy Spirit
Revelation of the Gospel (2:4; I Cor 2:10-13; Eph 3:3-5)
Confirm the word by signs, wonders and miracles which followed believers (Mark 16:15-20; Acts 6:6-8; 8:6-13; 19:6; Heb 2:1-4)
Conviction and conversion (John 16:8-11)
Guide, edify and comfort
Preaching the Gospel: identify the message preached
Conversion
People converted by the preaching of the Gospel.
People saved because they believed the preached word
Faith in the gospel produced obedience to the word
The Church: what is is, whom it included, its mission, growth, leadership as designed by God.
3After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
4And while they were gathered together,a He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized withb the Holy Spirit.”
Jerusalem Acts 1:8; Acts 2:13-15
Act 1:8-2:47 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
(13) When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, 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) These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (15) At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said,
Peter speaks of Judas and what had been fulfilled of the Scripture. Necessary that Judas is replaced.
Drew lots between Joseph (Barsabbas) and Matthias. Matthias added to the apostles.
[Jews used the method of casting lots to determine the will of God. Prov 16:33; Lev 16:8-10; Num 26:55-56; Jos 14:2 – used to select the scapegoat, divide land, determine who would go to war, the order of the priests and responsibilities, determining an offender] Casting lots was not used after Pentecost because they then relied on Holy Spirit.
(https://carm.org/what-casting-lots-in-the-bible)
2:14-36 Peter preaches
Many respond to Peter
2:37-47
(37) Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (38) Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (40) And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” (41) So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. (42) They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (43) Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. (44) And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; (45) and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (46) Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
We see the gospel preached; the people’s hearts pierced, call to repentance, baptism and to receive Holy Spirit
About 3120 given to (1) the word of God (2) fellowship (3) the breaking of bread (4) prayer
Sense of Awe
Many signs and wonders through the apostles
All were together and had all things in common (they gave all they had)
Such oneness and unity
Praising God
Favor with all the people
The Lord was adding daily those who were being saved
Acts 3:1-10 Lame man at the gate Beautiful
3:11-36 Peter’s 2nd Sermon
More believed – the number of men grew to about 5 thousand; Peter and John put in custody
5The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family. 7They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, 10then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’a 12Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 13When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in response. 15So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.
Rulers, elders, & scribes: same opponents of Jesus
Jesus – Stone, Chief Cornerstone (Ps 118:22, Matt 21:42), salvation in no other name under heaven
It is noticeable when you’ve been with Jesus!!
The response of the church once hearing Peter and John’s report: (the end of their prayer)
Acts 429 Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30 Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant [c] Jesus. 31 After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God’s message.
Prayer for boldness; meeting place shook; all filled with Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God’s message
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Unity, self-less, no one in need;
Barnabas: Levite, native of Cyprus
Acts 5
Ananias & Sapphira: sold land, brought only a portion of the proceeds
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
Sapphira – died the way her husband did
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The Apostles are arrested by the high priest and Sadducees (due to jealousy)
An angel of the Lord freed them from prison and instructed them to go to the temple and speak all the word of this Life.
40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Acts 6
6:1-10; 15; 51-59
6 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists(Jews who adopted Greek culture and language) arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute (reputation, esteem), full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
The Apostles: in great wisdom, had the disciples choose 7 men to delegate the daily administrative work while they focus on a life of devotion to prayer and ministering the word
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” 54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together[b] at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 8
And Saul approved of his (Stephen’s) execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Simon – sorcerer/magician: claiming to be great; amazing the people of Samaria
Philip peached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus. Men and women believed and were baptized. Simon also and he went on with Philip and was amazed at the signs and miracles performed.
The apostles (Jerusalem) sent Peter and John after hearing that Samaria had received the word of God. The people had been baptized in Samaria, but Holy Spirit had not come on them. Peter and John prayed for them; laid their hands on them and they received Holy Spirit.
Notice they did not try to recreate the Upper Room Experience nor make a formula/pattern out of how Holy Spirit previously moved.
Philip & the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[d] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”[e] 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Acts 9
Acts 9:1-31
Aeneas (lived in Lydda): bedridden 8 years, paralyzed. Peter says “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed” (vs 34)
All of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Tabitha/Dorcas: lived in Joppa full of good works and acts of charity; made garments; died
Peter: put everyone out of the room, prayed…said Tabitha arise, she arose from the dead
Many in Joppa believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa many days with Simon (a tanner).
Act 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
Acts 10
Cornelius: (lived in Caesarea) centurion of Italian Cohort, devout, feared God with all his household, gave alms generously, prayed continually to God
Angel visit: your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God in a vision and tells him to send for Peter
10:9-23
Peter and some of the believers from Joppa go to Cornelius’ home in Caesarea.
Cornelius gathered his family and close friends
It was against the law for Jews to associate with Gentiles
Peter preaches Jesus and while preaching Holy Spirit comes on them
We see that there’s no formula, Holy Spirit moves how he wants. Previously people were baptized in water and then filled with Holy Spirit, but the believers here were baptized in water.
They asked Peter to say a few days.
Acts 11
11 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story:
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
After the persecution of Stephen, disciples traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch spreading the word to Jews
Men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and shared the good news of Jesus to Greeks. A great number turned to the Lord.
The church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch.
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul and brought him to Antioch. They were there for a year meeting with the church and teaching many.
7 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 12
King Herod arrested some belonging to the church.
James (John’s brother) put to death with the sword
Peter is arrested
An angel delivers Peter from prison
Peter goes to Mark’s home with the believers, tells them what happened and leaves.
Herod executed the guards that were responsible for guarding the prison,
19-24
25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from[a] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.