Band of Brothers Mens Ministry - 2015

Acts The Gospel Unleashed

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on
you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8
Introduction to Acts
Title
As the second book Luke addressed to Theophilus (see Luke 1:3), Acts may
originally have had no title. The Greek manuscripts title it Acts, and many
add of the Apostles. The Greek word translated Acts (praxeis) was often
used to describe the achievements of great men. Acts does feature the
notable figures in the early years of the church, especially Peter (chaps. 112)
and Paul (chaps. 1328). But the book could more properly be called The
Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles, since His sovereign,
superintending work was far more significant than that of any man. It was the
Spirits directing, controlling, and empowering ministry that strengthened the
church and caused it to grow in numbers, spiritual power, and influence.
Author and Date
Since Lukes gospel was the first book addressed to Theophilus (Luke 1:3), it
is logical to conclude that Luke is also the author of Acts, although he is not
named in either book. The writings of the early church Fathers such as
Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome
affirm Lukes authorship, and so does the Muratorian Canon (ca. A.D. 170).
Because he is a relatively obscure figure, mentioned only 3 times in the NT
(Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11, Philem. 24), it is unlikely that anyone would have
forged a work to make it appear to be Lukes. A forger surely would have
attributed his work to a more prominent person.

Luke was Pauls close friend, traveling companion, and personal physician
(Col. 4:14). He was a careful researcher (Luke 1:14) and an accurate
historian, displaying an intimate knowledge of Roman laws and customs, as
well as the geography of Palestine, Asia Minor, and Italy. In writing Acts, Luke
drew on written sources (15:2329; 23:2630), and also no doubt interviewed
key figures, such as Peter, John, and others in the Jerusalem church. Pauls
two-year imprisonment at Caesarea (24:27) gave Luke ample opportunity to
interview Philip and his daughters (who were considered important sources of
information on the early days of the church). Finally, Lukes frequent use of
the first person plural pronouns we and us(16:1017; 20:521:18; 27:1
28:16) reveals that he was an eyewitness to many of the events recorded in
Acts.
Some believe Luke wrote Acts after the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70; his death
was probably in the mid-eighties). It is more likely, however, that he wrote
much earlier, before the end of Pauls first Roman imprisonment (ca. A.D. 60
62). That date is the most natural explanation for the abrupt ending of Acts
which leaves Paul awaiting trial before Caesar. Surely Luke, who devoted
more than half of Acts to Pauls ministry, would have given the outcome of
that trial, and described Pauls subsequent ministry, second imprisonment
(cf. 2 Tim. 4:11), and death, if those events had happened before he wrote
Acts. Lukes silence about such notable events as the martyrdom of James,
head of the Jerusalem church (A.D. 62 according to the Jewish historian
Josephus), the persecution under Nero (A.D. 64), and the fall of Jerusalem
(A.D. 70) also suggests he wrote Acts before those events transpired.
Background and Setting
As Luke makes clear in the prologue to his gospel, he wrote to give
Theophilus (and the others who would read his work) a narrative of those
things (Luke 1:1) which Jesus had accomplished during His earthly ministry.
Accordingly, Luke wrote in his gospel an orderly account (Luke 1:3) of those
momentous events. Acts continues that record, noting what Jesus
accomplished through the early church. Beginning with Jesus ascension,

through the birth of the church on the Day of Pentecost, to Pauls preaching
at Rome, Acts chronicles the spread of the gospel and the growth of the
church (cf. 1:15; 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 13:49; 16:5; 19:20). It
also records the mounting opposition to the gospel (cf. 2:13; 4:122; 5:1742;
6:98:4; 12:15; 13:612, 4550; 14:26, 19, 20; 16:1924; 17:59; 19:2341;
21:2736; 23:1221; 28:24).
Theophilus, whose name means lover of God, is unknown to history apart
from his mention in Luke and Acts. Whether he was a believer whom Luke
was instructing, or a pagan whom Luke sought to convert is not known.
Lukes address of him as most excellent Theophilus (Luke 1:3) suggests he
was a Roman official of some importance (cf. 24:3; 26:25).
Historical and Theological Themes
As the first work of church history ever penned, Acts records the initial
response to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19, 20). It provides information
on the first 3 decades of the churchs existencematerial found nowhere else
in the NT. Though not primarily a doctrinal work, Acts nonetheless
emphasizes that Jesus of Nazareth was Israels long-awaited Messiah, shows
that the gospel is offered to all men (not merely the Jewish people), and
stresses the work of the Holy Spirit (mentioned more than 50 times). Acts
also makes frequent use of the OT: e.g., 2:1721 (Joel 2:2832); 2:2528 (Ps.
16:811); 2:35 (Ps. 110:1); 4:11 (Ps. 118:22); 4:25, 26 (Ps. 2:1, 2); 7:49, 50
(Is. 66:1, 2); 8:32, 33 (Is. 53:7, 8); 28:26, 27 (Is. 6:9, 10).
Acts abounds with transitions: from the ministry of Jesus to that of the
apostles; from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; from Israel as Gods
witness nation to the church (composed of both Jews and Gentiles) as Gods
witness people. The book of Hebrews sets forth the theology of the transition
from the Old Covenant to the New; Acts depicts the New Covenants practical
outworking in the life of the church.
Interpretive Challenges

Because Acts is primarily a historical narrative, not a theological treatise like

Romans or Hebrews, it contains relatively few interpretive challenges. Those
that exist mainly concern the books transitional nature (see Historical and
Theological Themes) and involve the role of signs and wonders.
Outline
Prologue (1:18)
I. The Witness to Jerusalem (1:98:3)
A. The Anticipation of the Church (1:926)
B. The Founding of the Church (2:147)
C. The Growth of the Church (3:18:3)
1. Apostles: Preaching, healing, and enduring persecution (3:15:42)
2. Deacons: Praying, teaching, and enduring persecution (6:18:3)
II. The Witness to Judea and Samaria (8:412:25)
A. The Gospel to the Samaritans (8:425)
B. The Conversion of a Gentile (8:2640)
C. The Conversion of Saul (9:131)
D. The Gospel to Judea (9:3243)
E. The Gospel to the Gentiles (10:111:30)
F. The Persecution by Herod (12:125)
III. The Witness to the Ends of the Earth (13:128:31)
A. Pauls First Missionary Journey (13:114:28)

B. The Jerusalem Council (15:135)

C. Pauls Second Missionary Journey (15:3618:22)
D. Pauls Third Missionary Journey (18:2321:16)
E. Pauls Jerusalem and Caesarean Trials (21:1726:32)
F. Pauls Journey to Rome (27:128:31)

Source: http://www.gty.org/resources/bible-introductions/MSB44/acts