The Word Is Alive The Book of Acts

1. The Word Is AliveThe Book of Acts Introduction Presented by Tony Gillon

2. Introduction to Acts • Christ is established.

3. Introduction to Acts • Christ is established. • Only Peter and John are mentioned.

4. Introduction to Acts • Christ is established. • Only Peter and John are mentioned. • The account resumes in Jerusalem.

5. Introduction to Acts • The early church is established but suffers its first martyrs early on.

6. Introduction to Acts • The early church is established but suffers its first martyrs early on. • Saul of Tarsus is introduced who will later become the great apostle Paul.

7. Introduction to Acts • The early church is established but suffers its first martyrs early on. • Saul of Tarsus is introduced who will later become the great apostle Paul. • Jesus’ brother James becomes a significant church leader in Jerusalem.

8. Introduction to Acts • As commanded by Jesus, the Gospel is preached in Judæa, Samaria and to the ends of the earth, reaching the centre of the Roman Empire relatively quickly, where this part of the story concludes.

9. Author • The author is the same as for the Gospel of Luke.

10. Author • The author is the same as for the Gospel of Luke. • Early church tradition names the author as Luke.

11. Author • The author is the same as for the Gospel of Luke. • Early church tradition names the author as Luke. • Evidence in Paul’s letters supports this.

12. Author • He was 2nd generation, not an eye-witness and a Gentile. • Eusebius says he was a doctor from Syrian Antioch. • Paul writes: Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. (Colossians 4:14).

13. Author • Paul quoted from Luke’s writings as ‘my Gospel’. • This gives both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts apostolic authority.

14. Date • Most scholars accept it was written around the time the story ends with Paul preaching in Rome, circa AD62.

15. Date • Most scholars accept it was written around the time the story ends with Paul preaching in Rome, circa AD62. • Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God (Acts 28:31).

16. Date • Most scholars accept it was written around the time the story ends with Paul preaching in Rome, circa AD62. • Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God (Acts 28:31). • Some scholars hold out for a post-AD70 date due to the accuracy of the prophecy in Luke 21:20-24, i.e. the destruction of Jerusalem.

17. Theme • The empowering of disciples with the Holy Spirit makes it possible for them to boldly proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.

18. Purpose • To provide an orderly and historic account of all that happened according to eye-witness accounts.

19. Purpose • To provide an orderly and historic account of all that happened according to eye-witness accounts. • It was sent to a man called Theophilus, probably a new convert, but is also useful for all believers or others that are interested in the Christian faith.

20. Summary of Salvation History • The giving of the Holy Spirit, establishing the church and proclaiming the Gospel throughout the world was the fulfilment of God’s providential plan.

21. Writing Style • Beautifully written narrative that brings the story to life in the imagination of the reader.

22. Writing Style • Beautifully written narrative that brings the story to life in the imagination of the reader. • It is a true life adventure, bringing drama and introducing some unlikely heroes.

23. Key Themes • God is the centre of life.

24. Key Themes • God is the centre of life. • The Holy Spirit is the energy behind it.

25. Key Themes • God is the centre of life. • The Holy Spirit is the energy behind it. • Jesus is the Christ.

26. Key Themes • God is the centre of life. • The Holy Spirit is the energy behind it. • Jesus is the Christ. • The OT Messianic scriptures were fulfilled.

27. Key Themes • God is the centre of life. • The Holy Spirit is the energy behind it. • Jesus is the Christ. • The OT Messianic scriptures were fulfilled. • The Gospel requires a response.

28. Key Themes • God is the centre of life. • The Holy Spirit is the energy behind it. • Jesus is the Christ. • The OT Messianic scriptures were fulfilled. • The Gospel requires a response. • The Christian faith is for everyone.

29. Key Themes • God is the centre of life. • The Holy Spirit is the energy behind it. • Jesus is the Christ. • The OT Messianic scriptures were fulfilled. • The Gospel requires a response. • The Christian faith is for everyone. • Being a disciple involves suffering.

30. Key Themes • Effective witness requires church unity.

31. Key Themes • Effective witness requires church unity. • Disciples must maintain their integrity.

32. Key Themes • Effective witness requires church unity. • Disciples must maintain their integrity. • Miracles support the Gospel message.

33. Key Themes • Effective witness requires church unity. • Disciples must maintain their integrity. • Miracles support the Gospel message. • Acceptance of the message is two-fold.

34. Key Themes • Effective witness requires church unity. • Disciples must maintain their integrity. • Miracles support the Gospel message. • Acceptance of the message is two-fold. • The message proclaimed must be Jesus.

35. Key Themes • Effective witness requires church unity. • Disciples must maintain their integrity. • Miracles support the Gospel message. • Acceptance of the message is two-fold. • The message proclaimed must be Jesus. • It brings results, although we may not always see them.

36. Setting • But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

37. Setting • But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). • Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:31).

38. Setting • But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). • Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7), Judæa and Samaria (Chapters 8-12), and Rome (Chapters 13-28).

39. Outline • Preparation for witness (1:1-2:13).

40. Outline • Preparation for witness (1:1-2:13). • The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14–5:42).

41. Outline • Preparation for witness (1:1-2:13). • The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14–5:42). • The Witness beyond Jerusalem (6:1–11:30).

42. Outline • Preparation for witness (1:1-2:13). • The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14–5:42). • The Witness beyond Jerusalem (6:1–11:30). • The Jerusalem church is persecuted (12:1–13:3).

43. Outline • Preparation for witness (1:1-2:13). • The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14–5:42). • The Witness beyond Jerusalem (6:1–11:30). • The Jerusalem church is persecuted (12:1–13:3). • The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia (13:4–14:28).

44. Outline • Preparation for witness (1:1-2:13). • The Witness in Jerusalem (2:14–5:42). • The Witness beyond Jerusalem (6:1–11:30). • The Jerusalem church is persecuted (12:1–13:3). • The Witness in Cyprus and Southern Galatia (13:4–14:28). • The Jerusalem Council (15:1–35).

45. Outline • The Witness in Greece (15:36–18:22).

46. Outline • The Witness in Greece (15:36–18:22). • The Witness in Ephesus (18:23–21:16).

47. Outline • The Witness in Greece (15:36–18:22). • The Witness in Ephesus (18:23–21:16). • The Arrest in Jerusalem (21:17–23:35).

48. Outline • The Witness in Greece (15:36–18:22). • The Witness in Ephesus (18:23–21:16). • The Arrest in Jerusalem (21:17–23:35). • The Witness in Cæsarea (24:1–26:32).

49. Outline • The Witness in Greece (15:36–18:22). • The Witness in Ephesus (18:23–21:16). • The Arrest in Jerusalem (21:17–23:35). • The Witness in Cæsarea (24:1–26:32). • The Witness in Rome (27:1–28:31)

50. The Introduction to the • Book of Acts Ends