Three great themes in the book of acts sermon by rick. Major themes in the book of acts the debate over the historical accuracy of the book of acts is important, in no small measure because as i have pointed out already it provides us our one and only narrative of what was happening among the followers of jesus in the years immediately after his death. Many scholars assume acts was written then because it does not record pauls defense, release, and further gospel preaching. Apr 19, 2011 the book of acts in 3 minutes thechurchatbrookhills org adonaispearl. Perhaps luke was using it to mean any christian reader. Mar 23, 2017 now there was an ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the candace, that is, the queen of the ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to jerusalem to worship, and was returning home. The book of acts records the beginning of the history of new testament missions. The work of the holy spirit is so prevalent in acts that many commentators have suggested the book should be titled the acts of the holy spirit rather than the acts of the apostles. The overall theme of the book of acts the source of a powerful witness traditionally, the theme of the book of acts is the story of the unfolding of acts 1. But to be honest, the book has an unfinished quality to it.
Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death and on that day a great persecution began against the church in jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of judea and samaria, except the apostles. Similarly, while a number of secondary themes could probably be identified, the primary theme of acts can be found in acts 1. This film depicts the birth of the early church through the eyes of luke, the author of the gospel of luke. Lets turn first to the holy spirit and his role in acts. Jul 14, 2019 feb 16, 2020 current acts of the apostles, the fifth book in the new testament, is somewhat famous for the supernatural, i. This book of acts bible study pamphlet shows that god is active. This post is adapted from darrell bocks theology of luke and acts online course to determine when acts was written, we need to evaluate the evidence from both luke and acts, because the two books were written together, with luke appearing slightly before acts at first glance, it seems that the book of acts was written around the same time of the last events it describes. Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world.
It records that he performed many signs and wonders to validate the ministry of the apostles and other early church leaders. I read this bible study book as part of my yearlong study on the book of acts. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. Here are some of the key themes that luke highlights for. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. On one level, as is true of most literary works, luke had many purposes and acts has many themes. The acts of the apostles tell the story of the joy, suffering, and journeys across land and sea of the disciples and early christians. Rejection of the gospel and persecution of its messengers, however, worked to accelerate the churchs growth. On the surface, paul of tarsus did not fit these qualifications.
Bart discusses his books and public debates, responds to criticisms from other scholars, and answers questions raised by readers. Jul 16, 20 acts is the second book from luke, who also wrote the gospel that shares his name. Messages the book of acts north chapel bible church of. Our interest here is to highlight lukes overarching purpose and theme. As the easter octave unfolds, we have in the gospel this enigmatic statement of our lord jesus to mary magdalene.
But it is more likely that theophilus was a real person. Last week as we finished the easter cycle and crowned it with pentecost. Although discouraging, resistance to our witness for christ is to be expected. The greatest proof that christ is the central theme of the bible is john 5. The biggest thing that stuck out to me in this post was the theme of gods sovereignty throughout the book of daniel. We read about imprisonments, beatings, stonings and plots to kill the apostles. More than likely, luke completed the book before either of these events occurred, sometime between ad 60 and ad 62, while paul sat in prison, awaiting the resolution of his appeal. Ive been reading a commentary by a pentecostal missiologist, a great book that told the book as a story set in our modern day and now this book by one of the great decidedly, and contrastingly not pentecostal bible teachers of our day, john macarthur. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. Do not cling to me, for i have not yet ascended to the father. The debate over the historical accuracy of the book of acts is important, in no small measure because as i have pointed out already it provides us our one and only narrative of what was happening among the followers of jesus in the years immediately after his death. We also finished the lengthy reading of the acts of the apostles. Jan 02, 2020 the emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. In this book we see the first mention of the dispensation of the holy spirit and jesus command to take his gospel to all the world.
Acts is the second book from luke, who also wrote the gospel that shares his name. After christ rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples at certain places and times, but did not seem to stay with them continuously. Thanks for dropping by to have a look at my blog posts for the book of acts. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. The book of acts in 3 minutes thechurchatbrookhills org youtube. Acts ends with paul under house arrest, awaiting trial before caesar, c. The overall theme of the book of acts the source of a. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. The book of acts gives a unique glimpse into the life and practice of the early church. Luke showed in acts 1 that the qualifications for an apostle were that he had spent three years with jesus and that he had been a witness of the resurrection acts 1. A list of sermons in the book of acts leadership resources.
Jesus said he would build his church, that he would not leave us orphans and that he would be with us to the. The acts of the apostles major themes gospel renewal. A meditation on the abrupt end of the acts of the apostles. We come to the conclusion of our introduction to the book of acts today by looking at its purpose and theme. Jesus final words to his apostles were, you will be my witnesses in jerusalem, and in all judea and samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth. The list below includes every instance of evangelistic preaching in the book of acts, a summary of content, and an analysis of emphasis. Jan 20, 2020 the biggest thing that stuck out to me in this post was the theme of gods sovereignty throughout the book of daniel. Of the 27 books that make up what we know as the new testament, the one called the acts of the apostles is unique in the information it contains. When there are echoes from chapter to chapter or part to part of a book, we also remember which parts of a story are.
Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven. The holy spirit empowers the church to continue the ministry and mission of jesus acts 1. The book of acts acts is, in many ways, the story of gods kingdom expanding into all the world. The book begins with the ascension of jesus and goes on through pauls jail time in rome, which opens his ministry to the church at rome. Here are a few of the major themes weve already seen developed in the book of acts.
Both were written by luke, a physician who traveled with the apostle paul. I thought about how central the temple was to the faith of the jewish people. Major themes in the book of acts the bart ehrman blog. Or did these disciples of christ focus on something else. The book of acts in 3 minutes thechurchatbrookhills org. He shows us how god is working and speaking in this story and our own stories. Acts of the apostles, the fifth book in the new testament, is somewhat famous for the supernatural, i. Pentecost, the miracles, the signs and wonders, angelic appearances, etc. Purposes of the book of acts reformed bible studies. It portrays the beginning of the church from its roots at pentecost fifty days after the lords resurrection, to paul being held under house arrest. Feb 16, 2020 current acts of the apostles, the fifth book in the new testament, is somewhat famous for the supernatural, i. When the gospel is preached in the book of acts, the resurrection is emphasized as much as the crucifixion. It describes the coming of the holy spirit at pentecost in acts 2, the spread of the gospel outside of jerusalem in acts 8 and to the gentiles in acts 10, how the church made decisions in regards to doctrine acts 15, and more. The book of acts sheds light on the gift of the holy spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our counselor.
Acts is the only biblical book that chronicles the history of the church immediately after jesuss ascension. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of acts. Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the. Navigate deeper into the acts of the apostles with rose publishings 14page bible study resource, the book of acts. The book of acts presents a rich theology of the holy spirit. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet isaiah. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. Key verses and themes in acts bible commentary theology. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. No other book of the bible gives us more apostolic instruction regarding both the theology and practice of missions. Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts. The next step is to enter your payment information.
While a whole theology of witnessing could be written from acts and the rest of the new testament e. This title may be a bit misleading, because 11 apostles are barely mentioned, while the book concentrates almost exclusively on the early work of peter chapters 112 and the short but influential ministry of paul chapters 28. It was where all of their important artifacts were. Community in mission blog of the archdiocese of washington. Does the record of acts support the notion that the central focus of christianity is ones love relationship with god and personal life enhancement. I believed judas was predestined to betray jesus as in acts 1. Its a theme we used unintentionally through the quarter, and you probably wouldnt pick up on it, but it just acts as subtle way of talking about what season it is through the year, panton says. Ludlow whereas the gospel of luke focuses on the life and ministry of jesus christ, the acts of the apostles builds upon what jesus did and taught see acts 1. You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. In fact, besides jesus himself, no other character in the christian bible is so fully described. Another overriding theme in the book of acts is opposition. Jun 16, 2010 the greatest proof that christ is the central theme of the bible is john 5.
Explore this lesson to find out more about this exciting story. Jesus knew from the begging that he was going to be betray by judas jesus said it was better for him judas not to be born. Luke showed in acts 1 that the qualifications for an apostle were that he had spent three years with jesus and that he had been a. And third, we will consider the theme of the church that the apostles established to ensure that the gospel and the kingdom would continue to spread throughout history. While acts is a record of history, luke weaves many theological themes into these stories to teach us about god and his mission. No course of missions should neglect a careful study of the book of acts. He was active in the book of acts, and he is active in our lives today.
The book of acts in 3 minutes thechurchatbrookhills org adonaispearl. A second theme is the validity of pauls apostleship. However, and perhaps surprisingly, as amazing as those things are, they are not the central theme of the book. The acts alexander maclaren the former treatise have i made, o theophilus, of all that jesus began both to do and teach. Acts niv jesus taken up into heaven in my bible gateway. The book of acts has been called the new testament charter for missions. Acts is the second book in the history that luke wrote. This fantastic bible study pamphlet provides loads of information at a glance. I started blogging each day for 31 days for an october challenge and reached the end of chapter 17 so then i decided to continue on through acts but only posting approx. It was where all of their important artifacts were housed and where they believed gods presence lived. From observing how this word is used we can begin to sketch what a faithful witness might look like. The book of acts sheds light on the gift of the holy spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as. As i have been reading back through acts this week in order to regain my bearings, i have been reminded how much i love this book and how much we have learned already.
Learn about what the central idea and themes of a story are and how to grow meaning by broadening and deepening your own novels themes and ideas. Jun 05, 2015 we come to the conclusion of our introduction to the book of acts today by looking at its purpose and theme. David spoke about judas concerning his betrayal in the book of psalms. In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. Grayson baptist church may 12, 20 indianapolis pastor russ blowers was a member of the rotary club. To determine when acts was written, we need to evaluate the evidence from both luke and acts, because the two books were written together, with luke appearing slightly before acts. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament.
565 1535 1418 1513 965 297 768 1321 543 1440 42 640 680 611 905 194 1594 297 633 1240 475 864 1119 120 1383 798 1407 629 1350 1302 24 1417 1289 562 47 1157 104 212 344 238 797