ACTS and the Letters of the New Testament

ACTS 1:8

ACTS – A Book of Transition

OLD TESTAMENT

(MOSAIC LAW CODE)

NEW TESTAMENT

(THE NEW COVENANT)

ACTS

TRANSITIONS IN THEBOOK OF ACTS

(1) ISRAEL to THE CHURCH The CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST is now doing God’s

work in the world. The Church is not the “new” Israel—they are

different entities internally and externally. Terms are not used interchangeably.(2) FOCUS ON JEW to FOCUS ON GENTILES God’s purposes always included Gentile salvation.

But in the Church, the Jew is not the focus…mainly gentiles.

(3) NEW/UNIQUE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT. Important differences in the Spirit’s ministry in the

Church. (John 7, 14, 16)(4) DISPENSATION OF LAW TO DISPENATION OF THE

CHURCH. A new rule of life for the church. Mosaic Law was designed to be temporary; set

aside.

INTRODUCTION TO ACTS - 1:1-2:4

THE 40 DAYS OF MINISTRY Gave multiple proofs of the fact of Christ’s

bodily resurrection, which is the basis of the faith (1 Cor. 15).

Taught the Apostles truths that they could not understand before the crucifixion and resurrection events.

CHRIST’S ASCENSION TO HEAVEN, 1:6-11 Jesus does not deny a coming Messianic

kingdom, but focuses on their task. THE APOSTLE’S TIME OF WAITING, 1:12-26 THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT, 2:1-4

THE UNIVERSAL CHURCHTHE UNIVERSAL CHURCHDAY OF PENTECOST

(Acts 2)

SPIRIT CHRIST

Christ is now made HEAD of the

Church, His “body”

Believers will now be baptized by the Spirit.

Church: Body of Christ

THE WITNESS AT PENTECOST: 2:5-47

2:5-13 – Jews (many “OT saints)” from all over the world at Pentecost; amazed that they heard their own dialects being spoken by Galileans.

2:14-21 – Peter’s message addressed to everyone (2:22) but particular attention is given to those from Judea (2:14) who were confused about the “tongues”.

2:22-39 – Key idea: “Jesus whom you crucified is both Lord and Christ as is evidenced by His miracles and His resurrection.”

2:40-47 – 3,000 respond. Church now in existence and meeting for instruction, fellowship, worship, prayer and ministry.

JOHN 10:23 ACTS 3:11; 5:12

THE WITNESS IN JERUSALEM, JUDEA & SAMARIA: 3:1-

3 & 4 – PETER & JOHN IN JERUSALEM 5-8 – THE APOSTLES (and Stephen) IN

JERUSALEM 8-12 – THE WITNESS IN JUDEA &

SAMARIA: Peter, Philip & Saul/Paul. THE KEY EVENT IS THE

SHOCKING CONVERSION OF RABBI SAUL OF TARSUS.

Blank 8

Blank 8Blank 8Blank 8Blank 8Blank 8SEBASTE (Samaria)

JERUSALEM

“Desert Gaza”

AZOTUS

CAESAREA

THE MINISTRYOF PHILIP

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JERUSALEM

DAMASCUS

ARABIA???

THE TIME INARABIA IS NOTMENTIONED IN

ACTS. IT ISFOUND IN

GAL.1:17-18.Between Acts9:19a and b.

Paul would spend 15days in Jerusalem withPeter and then have toflee to Tarsus. Gal. 1

THE CONVERSION and EARLY DAYS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

JERUSALEM

LYDDA - AeneasJOPPADorcas

CAESAREA - Cornelius

PETER’SMINISTRY

THE WITNESS OF PETER9:32-11:18

THE WITNESS IN JERUSALEM. Peter had to “defend” to the

Jewish believers his ministry to gentiles.

Key to his defense: 11:14-15.

JEWISHCHURCH

SAMARITANCHURCH

GENTILECHURCH

ONEBODY OFCHRIST

THE WITNESS OF THE CHURCH11:19-12:25

The Church is now entering a new phase in its evangelism.

ANTIOCH of SYRIA now becomes a strong and significant church.

This gentile evangelism had begun with Cornelius. It was not a “project” of the Jerusalem church.

The need for Apostolic oversight.

THE BOOK OF JAMESSome Basic Facts

James is writing to believers. These are Jewish believers who have

fled the persecutions that had taken place in Judea.

He is writing to encourage them to be “doers” of the Word and that their faith in Christ will be productive and valuable.

He is writing to encourage them to avoid the various sins that make their faith unfruitful.

THE BOOK OF JAMESTHE RECIPIENTS OF THE EPISTLE

The people receiving this letter were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no indication that James questioned their faith in Christ.

They are genuine, not “professed” believers.

(1) Called “brethren” some 20 times. This is the common term for a Christian. Cf. Acts 9:30; 10:23.

(2) They had been born by God. (1:18)(3) Their faith was in the glorious Lord Jesus.(4) Nowhere does James express doubt in the

genuineness of their faith (even 2:14-26).

THE BOOK OF JAMES

Some Key Words in James 1• What is a TRIAL?From God? Satan? Internal? External?• What is a TEMPTATION?Where do they come from? Different from

“trials”?• What is WISDOM?Do Christians have it automatically? How is

obtained? By prayer?• What is FAITH?How do you get faith? How do you increase

faith?

THE BOOK OF JAMES

TRIALS TEMPT

EMP

“LUST”(wrong desires)

SIN

DEATH

PASS THE TEST

ENDURANCE COMPLETENESS MATURITY REWARD

STEPS IN BECOMING A “DOER” OF THE WORD

#1

BEING EXPOSEDTO THETRUTHOF GOD

#2C0MING TO

UNDERSTANDTHE TRUTH

OF GOD

#3 APPLYINGTHE TRUTH

OF GOD

2 TIM. 2 PROV. 2

JAM. 1 PHIL.3

IN JAMES, THE “DOER” OF THE WORD IS THE BELIEVER WHO IS APPROPRIATING

THE TRUTH AND IS CONTINUALLY WORKING TOWARDS STAGE #3.

PERSONAL STUDY/READING BIBLE STUDIES

SEMINARS, CLASSESSERMONS, TAPES

T.V./RADIO/VIDEOSTALKING W/ BELIEVERS

THE IGNORANCE

GAP

THE DELUSION

GAP

“D

OER

”