Acts of the apostles, the second part of the work that begins with the gospel according to luke, is the story of the early church after jesuss martyrdom. Acts bible study the book of acts bible study lifeway. See longenecker, p252, for an explanation of the parallel structures of luke 12 and acts 12. In a sentence, given the emphasis on the unity of the church 2, 4, 15, 20 and its expansion from. If the book of acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it howson. The main issues revolve around whether he is a man perhaps a greek official for whom luke acts is an apologetic for the gospel or a kind of generic. Acts furnishes a ladder on which to place the epistles. In light of the above passages, it is not surprising that some say the book of acts could be called, the acts of the holy spirit.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Jul 10, 2014 designed for individuals and small groups alike, this 12week study through the book of acts explores the history of the early church after christs ascension. Acts concerns the very vital period in christian history between the resurrection of jesus and the death of the apostle paul, the time when christian ideas and beliefs were. The book of acts is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into his orbit and. The story then moves on to one of the central focuses of the book.
Acts is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. It includes historical insights, word definitions, discussion questions, assignments and leaders guide. It is more a story of the expansion of the church from jerusalem to rome. Verse 8 the power that they would receive was not power over other people. Several of the quotes within the passage occur throughout the book of acts. This study in the book of acts focuses on the efforts of the apostles as the gospel spread from judea and samaria to the end of the earth acts 1. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. The class book material is suitable for teens and adults.
However, it is important to note that each of the three major divisions of the book of acts has an introductory passage in which the disciples are commissioned. The emphasis in new testament fellowship is always on that. Acts chapter 3, we see faith being multiplied, the gift of healing and the working of miracles. Commissioning the twelve and the lords ascent luke 24. One in a series of books comparable to cliffs notes. The book of acts records three of pauls missionary journeys by which the church was established, the people of god, the christians who would change the world. These five study guides integrate bible study, prayer, worship, and. It is a bridge between the gospels and the epistles. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1.
Oxford university press usa publishes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, childrens books, business books, dictionaries, reference books, journals, text books and more. Outline studies in the book of the acts of the apostles. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. The book of acts makes a wonderful contribution to the ministries of the spirit in this current church age but there is a great deal of uncertainty and even confusion about those ministries. He specifically notes a passage from the prophet joel to explain how the holy spirit is coming at this time. Both were probably written by luke, an early christian who traveled with the apostle paul. Like every other chapter, our study of acts 9 focuses not on men or women but on the power of the holy spirit. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. The acts of the apostles, or simply the acts, is the second part to the gospel of luke in the new testament. What we are seeing in the book of acts is the holy spirit in hyper. Terms in this set 12 though called the acts of the apostles, the book focuses primarily on only two apostlespeter and paulwho in christian art are usually portrayed holding what items. Also, this study focuses on the challenge of fulfilling gods mission. The book contains only a few of the acts of some of the apostles, primarily peter and paul.
The book of acts is a great study from which you will grow if you apply it daily. Oct 28, 2017 introduction the acts of the apostles is an exceptional piece, hence its an important book of the new testament. Acts cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. Church persecution at the hand of saul of tarsus acts 8. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Proving he is alive resurrection vindicated his claim to be messiah teaching them giving them the vision and strategy to accomplish his purpose for them outline 1. The apostle peter and a new character named cornelius. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. We will explore how luke used summary statements for six periods of time in his. Introduction the acts of the apostles is an exceptional piece, hence its an important book of the new testament. This study is the first of two that specifically focuses on the working of the holy spirit in the lives of believers today.
But remember that we discussed the main purpose of the holy spirit which is to build the. He presents striking examples of lives that embody in their. The book of acts clearly focuses on the beginnings of the church, and two people. As we approach the book of acts, we will focus on three aspects of lukes. Join skip heitzig as he leads us through this inspiring account of the holy spirits work in and through the early church. Tom constables expository notes on acts this is also available in the net. Acts of the apostles, the second part of the work that begins with the gospel according to luke, is the story of the early church after jesuss. Model for todays church is a session bible study that will connect. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. Discipleship ministries book of acts sermon starters. The book of acts is unique because it is the only book of church history in the new testament. This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you. Philip, peter and johns ministry to the samaritans as well as peters vision at joppa made it clear that they needed to take the gospel to the gentiles. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for.
Over the centuries it has been called simply acts, or the acts eusebius. It alone offers an intensive view of early church life and history. The book focuses on the acts of two apostles, peter and paul. The book is most commonly called the acts of the apostles, although it is quite probable that, in its original form, it had no title at all. The book of acts, which continues the narrative that luke began in his gospel, is especially important because it was the first written history of the christian church.
In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. It is interesting to note that thirty minutes after pentecost the apostles knew more about christ than they. Handout acts 10 receive bible study notes by email from. Like luke, acts is addressed to the unknown reader theophilus, and in the introduction to acts, it is made clear that it is a continuation of luke. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. The author focuses on ruths unswerving and selfless devotion to desolate naomi 1. A life application bible study is inexpensive and contains lessons, charts, maps, study questions and notes. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what was. We continue to read with amazement as we see the holy spirit transform and empower ordinary people to do things they would never think of doing under their own initiative. The new testament without acts leaves a great, yawning gap. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. The importance of faithful love in human relationships among gods kingdom people is powerfully underscored. Jun 28, 2018 the book of acts study guide anna willemstein.
T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. Luke wrote these introductory statements to connect the book of acts with his gospel. In acts chapter 1 verse 1, the prologue of the book of acts, we read these words. Whereas lukes gospel focuses on the vertical universalization of the gospel up and down the social scale, acts focuses on its horizontal universalization from jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the world.
Study of acts discussion notes chapter 3 introduction we previously discussed the fact that the holy spirit is in fact christ dwelling in us and among us. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles. The title acts of the apostles is a bit misleading. The churchs duty predestination and calling the prologue to the book of acts serves as a brief summary of the gospel of luke, which is the first of the dual writings of luke acts acts 1. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. Notes for acts chapter 10 johns title for chapter 10.
In acts, the gospel expands not through human strength, but through weakness, opposition, and persecution. The book of the acts new international commentary on the. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. The church, at least at this point, is essentially a community of. Another thing to note is that peter appealed to both the individual jew and the. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. First, we will note some clues we gain from the new testament about our anonymous author. A pivotal point in the book of acts is when saul of tarsus the apostle paul meets jesus on the road to damascus and is converted. Study guides for book of acts these guides integrate bible study, prayer, and worship to explore the acts of the apostles as a theological treatsure that can shape our discipleship today.
The gospel bearing lukes name focuses on the life and ministry of jesus. Psy 2403 occc part 6 bronfenbrenners ecological study. Acts of the apostles bible study notes, commentary, and comments. If the book of acts were gone, there would be nothing to replace it the last recorded fact about jesus in the gospel of matthew is the resurrection. Acts is the only new testament book that continues the history begun in the gospels. The final third of acts focuses on all the following except. In this bible study on the book of acts, hinckley explores the church born among jesus disciples, which grew into a world wide force in just a few years.
We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3. This workbook on the acts of the apostles was designed for use in bible classes, family study, or personal study. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e. Questions in the lessons contain minimal human commentary, but instead guide students to study to understand scripture.
As we study the book of acts, many theological questions come to mind. Acts of the apostles a study of new testament history overview introduction. Pentecost ii it is no longer a jewish thing a summary of chapter 10. Acts is a history of the early church and of the spread of the gospel. Parsons writes his commentary acts grand rapids, mi. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Cornelius is a roman centurion hes in charge of 100 men based out of ceaseara, israel. Each study is designed to first teach the leaders the passage and then provide them with questions they can use to lead their group through a process of selfdiscovered learning. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. The new testament without the book of acts leaves a great yawning gap. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
The book of acts is a vital link between the gospels and the epistles. Workbook on the book of acts the church of christ in. This prologue states the fact that jesus christ fulfilled his ministry and now stands as head of the church, empowering it with the holy ghost. The study of acts is a challenge partly because of its length. Whereas jesus is the chief character in the gospels, the holy spirit.
The book of acts focuses on these relationships in many places. In the former book luke had recorded what jesus had begun to do and to teach during his earthly ministry. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. There has been much debate as to the purpose of acts. As you study try not only to know the facts try to understand what is going on. Remember, no matter how you do, you will be learning gods word. The god of the bible study of the father, son, and holy spirit. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Visit our life application page for more information on how to use this work in a bible study acts of the apostles, by william barclay is great both as an indepth study of acts for a group and as a daily guide for individuals. His focus for the church, the body of christ, was jesus heavenly ministry. Participants will be encouraged to apply gods word to their life. The book of acts forms a bridge between the gospels and pauls epistles. Without acts, the actions of the early church would be unknown to us except for a few facts we could glean from the writings of paul.