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New Testament Survey:

Book of Acts

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The Author

Luke is assigned as the author.* The book is addressed to Theophilus(Luke

1:3; Acts 1:1, 2)form er treat ise

Identical in style to Luke. Historical sequence to the gospel of Luke.

Written in first-person plural (we). The

writer was an eye-witness to what he waswriting. (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 27:1; 28:16)

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When the Book Was Written

Coincides reasonably with the close of the

historical account.

Paul is still alive and in a Roman prison.

History recorded in Acts would not have

ended so abruptly if Pauls death had

already occurred.

Written prior to 70 A.D. and after Paul

reached Romeprobably around 63 A.D.

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The Books Audience

Intended for a wider reading audience than just

Theophilus.

Origin of Christianitys beginning among the Jews.

Much of the book is concerned with the transfer of

the center of interest from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Spreading the gospel to the known Gentile world. Historical account to meet the need of both

Jews and Gentiles (1:8)

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The Books Purpose

Historical Motive

See Luke 1:4and Acts 1:5.

Acts gives a history of the continuationof Jesus work, by the Holy Spirit,

through the Apostles.

The final instruction (1:8)

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The Defense Motive

In Acts, every contact with government

officials receives a favorable hearing oris ignored.

Acts 13Sergius Paulus

Acts 16:35-39officials at Philippi

Acts 19:31officals at Ephesus

Acts 24-26Felix, Festus, and Agrippa

The Books Purpose

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The Biographical Motive

Luke divided the Acts historical record

into two different sections biographical innature:

Chapters 1-12history of Peters work

Chapters 13-28the apostles work with

the GentilesPaul!

The Books Purpose

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Contents and Character

The book, Acts of the Apostles,

records for us the history of

Christianitys beginning, growth,and spreadduring at least the first 30

years--from Christsascension to

Paulsimprisonment in Rome.

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The Apostolic Office and Work

Apostolic office in operation doing the

work that Jesus selected and trained theapostles to do.

Witnesses for Christ (1:8, 21, 22)

Eye and ear witnesses of that about

which they bore testimony (1:2; 26:16-

18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; 1 John 1:1-4)

Contents and Character

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The Apostolic Office and WorkA competent witness must give clear and

accurate testimony.

Guided by the Holy Spirit (1 Corin th ians2:9-13)

Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corin thians5:20; Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-32)

Sat upon thrones with authority to ruleover the church (Matthew 19:28; Ac ts2:42; 15; Galatians 2:1-9; 1 John 4:6)

Contents and Character

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The Holy Spirits Work

His mission was first promised by Christ.

John 14:16,17, 25,26; 16:7-15; Acts 1:8 Promise fulfilled on Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-4

Acts 2:15-21

Acts 2:33

Contents and Character

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The Holy Spirits Work

Reveal the gospel.

Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13;Ephesians 3:3-5

Confirm the word by miracles.

Mark 16:15-20

Acts 6:6-8; 8:6-13; 19:6

Hebrews 2:1-4

Contents and Character

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The Holy Spirits Work

Convict and convert the sinners. John 16:8-11

Continue to guide and direct theapostles. Acts 5:32

Acts 4:31 Acts 9:31

Romans 8:14

Contents and Character

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The Preaching of the Gospel

Given by a variety of expressions

The message preached and the different

circumstances under which it was preached.

Continued steadfastlyActs 2:42

Spoke the word of God; preach the word;the word of the Lord Acts 4:31; 13:44; 14:25; 18:11; 15:35-36; 16:32

Contents and Character

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The Preaching of the Gospel

Teach and p reach Chris t

Acts 5:42; 8:5, 35; 9:20; 11:20

Preach ing the th ings o f the kingdom

of God; name of Christ

Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23; 28:31

Contents and Character

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The Preaching of the Gospel

Preach the gospel

Acts 14:7-21; 16:10

Decrees to keep, that were ordained

of the apost les and elders which were

at Jerusalem

Acts 16:4

Contents and Character

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The Preaching of the Gospel

The way of salvation more accurately

Acts 16:17; 18:26

Reasoned with them from the Scriptures

Acts 17:2

Shrank not from declaring anything that wasprofitable; Gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:20, 24, 27

Contents and Character

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Story of Conversion

A number of conversions are related.

All have several things in common. In each case, the gospel was preached.

None occurred separate and apart from

the preaching of the word; not by anymiraculous event!

Contents and Character

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Story of Conversion

Saved by the gospelbecause they

believed the truth preached. Faith in the gospel they heard always

produced the commanded work of

obedienceto Gods will!See next chart

Contents and Character

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Case Believe Repent Confess BaptismJews Acts 2:36 Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38

Samaritans Acts 8:12 Acts 8:12ff

Eunuch Acts 8:36-37 Acts 8:37 Acts 8:38

Saul Acts 22:16

Cornelius Acts 10:43 Acts 11:15 Acts 10:48

Lydia Acts 16:15

Jailor Acts 16:31 Acts 16:33 Acts 16:33

Corinthians Acts 18:8 Acts 18:8

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Story of the Church

What it was, of whom it consisted, its

organization, its mission and work, its

worship, and its growth and development.

We can learn about the church in the

beginning when it was under apostolic

guidanceas designed and built by

God. It must be the same today!

Contents and Character

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Story of the Church

Made up of those who believed and

obeyed the gospel demands and wereadded to the saved by the Lord.

Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:42; 11:24;

13:12; 13:48; 14:1; 17:4; 12:12; 17:34;

28:24; 2:47

Contents and Character

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Story of the Church

Identity of the church and its singularity

are easily distinguishable in the Acts

historical record

Vital activity (Ac ts 2:42)

Organization of early church (Ac ts 14:23)

Worship of that church (Ac ts 11:25,26)

Purity (Ac ts 5:11)

Contents and Character

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Story of the Church Its work

Evangelism

Acts 11:19,20 (personal) Acts 11:22 (congregational)

Funds were sent directly to the preacher.

(Philippians 1:5 - 2:25; 4:14-16; 2 Cor.11:7-9) No example of one church sending to another

church to help with the preachers support!

Contents and Character

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Story of the Church

Its work

Benevolent work

Church providing for its own needy.

Acts 2, 4, and 6

Churches unable to care for their own.

Acts 11:29-31

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

2 Corinthians 8, 9

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Story of the Church

Pattern of benevolent work

Contributing church raised its own funds fromits own memberseachaccord ing to h is

abi l i ty.

Acts 11:27-30

1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Contents and Character

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Story of the Church

Pattern of benevolent work

Contributing church selected its ownmessengers to carry its contribution to

the needy church.

Delivered to the church elders.

Acts 11:27-30

2Corinthians 8,9

Contents and Character

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Story of the Church

Pattern of benevolent work

In no case did any contributing churchsend through the agency of another

churchno centralized oversight!

One churchs eldership did not usurp

another elderships authority oroversight.

Contents and Character

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Story of the Church

Met the problem of false doctrine byappealing to authority.

Acts 15:1, 5,22,40

Each church edified by its own elders,through its own program of teaching

and encouragement from gospelpreachers.

Acts 11:22; 13:1-3; 16:40; 20:1,32

Contents and Character