The Acts of
the
Apostles
“..of all that Jesus
began both to do
and to teach”
“And these signs shall follow them that
believe”
Mark 16: 17-18
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great
“Cast out devils”
salvation;
which at the first Acts.
began16:18;
to be 19:12
spoken
thenew
Lord,
and wasActs
confirmed
“Speak by
with
tongues”
2: 7-8 unto
us by them that heard him;
“Take
upbearing
serpents”
Actsboth
28: with
3-6
God
also
them witness,
signs and wonders, and with divers miracles,
“Lay
hands
on the
sick”
5: 15 to his
and gifts
of the
Holy
Ghost, Acts.
according
own will?
Hebrews 2: 3-4
“And these signs shall follow them that
believe”
Mark 16: 17-18
“Cast out devils” Correct mental abberations
“Speak with new tongues”
“Take up serpents”
“Lay hands on the sick”
Speak plainly
Shake off the power
of sin
Provide personal
attention
..of all that Jesus began both to do
and teach”
Historical Period
AD 29-62 = 33 Years!
History of the Apostle Paul
Called
AD 36
Executed AD 69 = 33 Years!
Conversion of “All nation’s
Mark 16:16 cp. Acts 1: 8
Jerusalem and Judea
Chapter 2 to 7
Samaria
Chapter 8
Uttermost parts of the earth
Chapters 13 to 28
3 important conversions………………………
Paul
Shem
Ethiopian Eunuch
Ham
Cornelius
Japheth
THE EMPERORS
Tiberius AD 14-37 ` Otho
AD 69
Caligula AD 37-41
Vitellius AD 69
Claudius AD 41-54
Vespasian AD 69-79
Nero
AD 54-68
Titus
Galba
AD 68-69
Domitian AD 81-96
AD 79-81
THE ROMAN GOVERNORS
BC 4- AD 39 Herod Antipas tetrarch of Galilee
BC 4- AD 34 Herod Philip Tetrarch of Iturea
AD 26-36
Pontius Pilate Roman Procurator
AD 41-44
Herod Agrippa 1. King of Judea
AD 50-93
Herod Agrippa 11. Tetrarch of North Te.
AD 52-60
Felix Roman Procurator
AD 60-62
Festus Roman Procurator
The Acts of the Apostles
Divisions
Chps. 1 & 2
Ascention to day of Pentecost
Chps. 3 – 5
The witness of Peter & John
Chps. 6 – 9
Death of Stephen to conversion
of Saul
Chps. 10 –11
The call of Cornelius
Chp. 12
Persecution by Herod Agrippa 1
Chps. 13 -14
Paul’s first journey
Acts of the Apostles
Divisions (Cont.)
Chp. 15:1-35
Jerusalem conference
Chp. 15:36 – 18:22
Paul’s second Journey
Chp. 18:23 – 21:17
Paul’s third journey
Chp. 21:18 – 26:32
Trials in Jerusalem
and Caesarea
Chp.27:1 - 28:16
Voyage to Rome
Chp.28: 17-31
Final message to the
the Jews
The seven progress reports
1. Victory over unbelief
2: 47
2. Victory over deceit
5:14
3. Victory over Ecclesial strife
6: 7
4. Victory over persecution
9: 31
5. Victory over pride
12: 24
6. Victory over doctrinal error
16: 5
7. Victory over superstition
19: 20
The Roman Empire AD 14
Jews
Greeks
Romans
Influences throughout
the Roman Emire that
affected the spread of
the Gospel
Influences that affected the spread of the Gospel
Roman discipline and Justice
Control of the Roman Army
Roman road systems that linked the whole Empire to Rome
Greek culture and learning
Greek language the universal language of the day
The production of the Septuagint version 200 BC. (Approx.)
The Judean Jews who opposed the Gospel
The Jews of the Diaspora, their Greek connections and
Synagogues provide the channel for spread to Gentiles
The ascension
of the Lord
Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-14
Resurrection -- National & Personal
Personal
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to
God by the death of his Son, much more, being
reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Romans 5:10
National
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of
the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life
from the dead?
Romans 11: 15
“In like manner as ye have seen him go”
Acts 1: 11
And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up
from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the
threshold of the house.
Ezek.9:3
Then the glory of the Lord went up from the
cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house;
Ezek. 10:4
“In like manner as ye have seen him go”
Acts 1: 11
Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold
of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up
from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels
also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the
east gate of the Lord's house
Ezek.10: 18-19
Then did the Cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels
beside them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them
above.
And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city,
and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the
city.
Ezek.11:22-23
“So come in like manner”
Acts 1: 11
Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those
nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of
Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the
mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the
east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great
valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the
north, and half of it toward the south.
Zech. 14: 3-4
Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that
looketh toward the east:
And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the
way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many
waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
Ezekiel 43: 1-2
These all continued with one accord in prayer and
supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother
of Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts 1: 14
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2: 1
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the
temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did
eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 2: 46
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to
God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God,
which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all
that in them is:
Acts 4: 24
(and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
Acts 5: 12
Replacing
one of the
Twelve
Acts of the Apostles 1: 15-26
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put
therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the
children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. 11 Chron. 5:10
The
Manna
Three distinct types
of Manna……..
Manna that corrupted after one day
Exod.16:20
Human nature Styled “This corruptible”
1.Cor.15:53
Jesus came in our nature
Heb.2:14
Process of corruption suspended for Sabbath
Exod.16:23
God did not allow Jesus to see corruption
Acts 2:31
Manna preserved in Most Holy Place
Exod.16:23-24
Jesus now immortal- “The hidden manna”
Rev. 2:17
And Moses laid up the rods before
the LORD in the tabernacle of
witness.
And it came to pass, that on the
morrow Moses went into the
tabernacle of witness; and, behold,
the rod of Aaron for the house of
Levi was budded, and brought forth
buds, and bloomed blossoms, and
yielded almonds.
And Moses brought out all the rods
from before the LORD unto all the
children of Israel: and they looked,
and took every man his rod.
Numbers 17:7-9
“Blind leaders
of the blind”
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if
the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Matthew 15: 24
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever
shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever
shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
Matthew 23: 16
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Matthew 23: 24
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the
blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
Romans 2: 19
“When the day of
Pentecost was fully come”
Acts 2: 1-21
“When the day of Pentecost was fully come”
14th. Day of the first month ---Passover
1 to 7 days later “Morrow after the Sabbath” waving of
the first fruits of the barley harvest.
5o days after the waving of the sheaf – The day of
Pentecost (Greek “Fiftieth”)
The offerings for the day of Pentecost
“Two wave loaves baken with leaven”
Leviticus 23: 17
Sin Offering
Burnt Offering
1. Kid of goats
7 Lambs
1 Bullock
2 Rams
Peace Offering
2 Lambs
“When the day of Pentecost was fully come”
And the children of Levi did according to the
word of Moses: and there fell of the people
that day about three thousand men
Exodus 32: 28
Then they that gladly received his word
were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand
souls.
Acts 2 : 41
And how hear we every man in our own
tongue, wherein we were born?
Acts 2:8
Medes
Parthians
Arabians
Elamites
Judea
Cappadocia
Pontus
Asia
Phrygia
Pamphylia
Egypt
Libya
Cyrene
Rome
Cretes
The outpouring of
the spirit
Acts 2: 14-21
Peter’s speech at Pentecost – Expression of the Spirit
John 16: 8-11 compare Acts. 2: 23, 24, 40
“And when he is come he will, he will reprove the world………
“Of sin, because they believe not on me”
“ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain”
“Of righteousness because I go to my Father”
“Whom God hath raised up..”
“Of judgement because the Prince of this world is judged”
“Save yourselves from this untoward generation”
The Jewish Year ----- Seasonal
1. “Abib”
2.
3.
4.
5.
7
“Zif”
“Sivan”
“Tammuz”
“Ab”
Spring “Latter rains” Barley Harvest
Flowers in bloom.
Wheat harvest.
Summer begins, hot and dry
Summer
Heat increases
6. “Elul”
Dates and summer fruits
7. “Ethanim” 1 Vintage, “Former rains” Ploughing begins
8. “Bul”
Winter rains set in
9. “Chisleu”
10 “Tebeth”
11. “Shebat”
Winter rains increase
Snow in the highlands
Almond in blossom
12. “Adar”
Signs of spring.
“Moreh”
“A teacher” - as pointing the lesson
“Early rain” – as pointing to the season
“An archer” - as pointing the arrow
“The former & the Latter rain
1st. Advent -- “Former rain”
“as a root out of a dry ground” Isa.53: 2
Prepares the ground for sowing
2nd. Advent
-- “Latter rain”
“as rain upon the mown grass” Psa. 72: 6
Fills out for the gathering of the harvest
Bro. Thomas on Joel 2: 23
Bro. Thomas on Joel 2: 23.. (Cont)
“Faith in the last days” Pages 222-223
“The last days”
God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in
time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last
days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir
of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Hebrews 1: 1-2
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the
world, but was manifest in these last times for you
1. Peter 1: 20
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that
antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists;
whereby we know that it is the last time 1.John 2: 18
“ It shall come to pass in the last days”
Acts 2: 17-18
“I will pour out of my spirit……………
“upon all flesh” --
Without distinction of race
“your sons and daughters” Without regard of gender
“young men & old men”
Without regard for age
“Servants & handmaidens” Without distinction of class
“Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God”
Acts. 2: 22-24
Special offering on day of Pentecost
Lev. 23:19 -
Peace offerings commanded only on this day
Offer of fellowship with God
Lev. 7:13 -
Two loaves baken with leaven
Sins need to be forgiven
Lev. 23:22:23- Blemish permitted in one type of peace offering
Fellowship offered despite imperfection
“Hear these words”
V. 22
Jesus attested by miracles
V. 23
Delivered to death by God’s counsel
V. 24
Raised from the dead by God’s power
“The son of man goeth as it was determined”
Luke 22:22
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked
have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my
vesture.
Psalm 22:16-18
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they
talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Psalm 69:26
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to
grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he
shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure
of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10
“Not possible that he should be holden of it”
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing
John 6:63
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in
the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1. Pet. 3:18
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he
liveth by the power of God
11. Cor.13:4
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have
power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This
commandment have I received of my Father John 10:18
“For David
speaketh
concerning him”
Acts. 2: 22-32
Peter’s insistence on David’s understand
Act 2:25
For David speaketh concerning him
Act 2:30
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had
sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his
loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ
to sit on his throne;
Act 2:31
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of
Christ
Peter’s use of two major Psalms
Words of a Priest, through the
experience of weakness
Psalm 16: 4
“Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another
god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take
up their names into my lips.”
Psalm 110:4
King-Priest because of perfect
obedience
“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a
priest forever after the order of Melchizedek”
“He seeing this before”
Acts 2:31
1 Chronicles 17:17 —( Youngs Lit. trans.)
“ And this was a small thing in thine eyes O God, and thou
speakest concerning the house of thy servant afar off and hast
seen me as the type of the man raised up on high, O Yahweh
God”
“Thou hast made known to me the ways of life”
Acts. 2: 28
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth
more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of
judgment:
Proverbs 8:20
He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he
that refuseth reproof erreth
Proverbs 10:17
“I am the root and the offspring of David”
Rev. 22:16
And there shall come forth a rod ( “A twig”) out of the stem of
Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isa. 11:1
The explanation !
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God,
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the
Holy Scriptures,)
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was
made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
And declared to be the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection
from the dead:
Romans 1: 1-4
The reason !
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud
voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose
the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in
earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the
book, neither to look thereon.
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy
to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not:
behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of
David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose
the seven seals thereof
Revelation 5: 2-5
“Both
Lord
and
Christ”
Acts 2:33-47
Peter’s method of exposition
Psa 16:11 Thou
wilt show me the
path of life: in thy
presence is fullness
of joy; at thy right
hand there are
pleasures
forevermore.
Act 2:28 Thou hast
made known to me
the ways of life;
thou shalt make me
full of joy with thy
countenance
Act 2:33 Therefore
being by the right
hand of God
exalted,
“He hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear”
Acts 2: 33
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity
captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the
rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell
among them.
Psalm 68:18
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on
high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men.
Ephesians 4:8
“Received” and “Gave” gifts unto men
For they are wholly given unto me from among the
children of Israel; instead of such as open every womb,
even instead of the firstborn of all the children of Israel,
have I taken them unto me.
Numbers 8:16
And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to
his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the
service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of
the congregation
Numbers 8:19
“Received” and “Gave” gifts unto men
“And behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites
from among the people of Israel, they are gift to you,
given to Yahweh, to do the service of the tent of the
meeting”
Numbers 18:6 RSV
“I therefore, Lo! I have taken your brethren the
Levites, out of the midst of the sons of Israel, unto you
as a gift are they given as a gift unto Yahweh, to do
the laborious work of the tent of meeting”
Numbers 18:6 Roth.
The gift of teachers
“And he gave some…
Apostles
(“One that is sent”)
and some
Prophets
( “Foretell”)
And some
Evangelists
( “Announce good news”)
And some
Pastors
( “A shepherd”)
And some
Teachers
( “An instructor”)
“The name of Jesus Christ”
V22. “ Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God”
V36. “God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye
have crucified, both Lord and Christ”
V38. “ Be baptised every one you intoThe name of
Jesus Christ”
Peter’s method of exposition
Joe 2:32 And it shall come
to pass, that whosoever shall
call on the name of the
LORD shall be delivered:
for in mount Zion and in
Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the LORD
hath said, and in the
remnant whom the LORD
shall call.
Act 2:21 And it shall come to
pass, that whosoever shall call
on the name of the Lord shall
be saved.
Act 2:39 For the promise is
unto you, and to your
children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the
Lord our God shall call.
“Save yourselves from this untoward generation”
Acts 2:40
Deu 32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not
the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked
generation. (Mg. “Or that they are not his children, this is
their blot”)
Phi 2:14-15 Do all things without murmurings and
disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the
sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and
perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the
world;
“Upon this rock I will build my Ecclesia”
Matthew 16:18
v4
Compare
Deuteronomy 32
He is the Rock, his work is perfect:
V13
and he made him to suck honey out
of the rock, and oil out of the flinty
rock;
V18
Of the Rock that begot thee thou art unmindful
V30
except their Rock had sold them,
V31
For their rock is not as our Rock
V37
Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
“They continued steadfast
in the Apostle's doctrine”
Aspects of “Koinonia” “Sharing”
1. Cor. 10: 16
“Communion of the blood of Christ”
Phil. 3: 10
“Fellowship of his sufferings”
Rom. 15: 26
“Contribution for poor saints”
Heb. 2: 14
“Partakers of flesh and blood”
The three stages of redemption
Immortality in
the Kingdom
Walking in
newness of life at
the present
Baptism, association
with the sacrifice of
Christ
The furniture in the “Holy place”
“And they continued steadfastly in………….
...the Apostle’s doctrine
..and in the breaking of bread
....and in prayers”
The Apostles doctrine
Acts 2: 42
Heb. 6:1-3
Eph. 4: 3-6
•Fellowship
•Breaking of bread
•Prayers
•One body
( One true religion)
•One spirit
( same attitude 1.Cor. 1:10)
•One hope
( “Saved by the hope” Rom. 8: 24)
•One Lord
( Christ as the head of the Ecclesia)
•One Faith
( “Substance of things hoped for” Heb.11: 1)
•One baptism ( Validated by proper understanding Acts. 19)
The Apostles doctrine
Acts 2: 42
•One God
Heb. 6:1-3 Eph. 4: 3-6
( Singularity of God Deut. 6: 4)
•Repentance from dead works
( Change of lifestyle)
•Faith toward God
( The ultimate trust)
•Laying on of hands ( Grk. “Admit” “Right hand of
fellowship” Gal. 2: 90 )
•Resurrection
•Judgement
( Only hope beyond the grave)
( of just and unjust Acts. 24: 15)
“The poor saints in Jerusalem”
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and
offerings.
Acts 24: 17
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to
make a certain contribution for the poor saints which
are at Jerusalem.
Romans 15: 26
For the administration of this service not only
supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also
by many thanksgivings unto God; 11. Cor. 9: 12
Healing the
Lame man
Acts 3:1:11
Healing the lame man
Acts 3:1 to 4:37
DIVISIONS
3: 1-11
The lame healed
3: 12-26
Peter’s testimony to power behind the miracle
4: 1-12
Peter & John interrogated by the Sadducees
4: 13-17
Closed meeting of the Sadducees
4: 18-22
Peter & John warned & released by Sadducees
4: 21-31
Rejoicing among the Ecclesia
Peter and John
Luke 5: 10
Partners in fishing business
John 1: 41-42
Together in John’s baptism
Luke 22: 8
Sent together to prepare last supper
John 18: 6
Together in Palace of High-Priest
John 20: 6
Ran together to empty Tomb
Acts. 3: 1
Together in healing of the lame man
Acts 8: 14
Sent to Samaria together
Opening Miracles
The Lame at the Temple
Acts 3: 1
The lame man at Lystra
Acts 14: 8
•Never walked from their mother’s womb.
•Both looked steadfastly on the Apostles
•Both leap and walk
The Beautiful gate of the Temple
Most Holy
Tower of Antonia
Court of Priests
Court of Israel
Court of
Women
Solomon’s
Porch
Royal Porch
Court of gate
Gentiles
Beautiful
“The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”
Acts 3:6
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise
up and walk”
Acts 3: 16 “And his name through faith in his name hath
made this man strong”
Acts 4:7
“By what power, or by what name, have ye
done this?”
Acts 4: 10 “that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,”
“The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”
Acts 4: 17 “let us straitly threaten them, that they
speak henceforth to no man in this name.”
Acts 4: 18 “not to speak at all nor teach in the name
of Jesus.”
Acts 4: 18 “that signs and wonders may be done
by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”
Acts 4: 12 “for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that
God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified,
both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2: 36
Gospel records
Acts to Revelation
JESUS
CHRIST
JESUS
613
48
96
CHRIST
245
Combination “Jesus Christ”
24
526
Psa 17:7 Show thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that
savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from
those that rise up against them.
Psa 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he
will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of
his right hand.
“The saving strength of his
right hand”
Psa 80:17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand,
upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
Psa 108:6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy
right hand, and answer me.
Psa 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive
me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine
enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Peter and John
before the Council
Acts 4: 1-12
“We have no king but Caesar”
John 19:15
“The chief priests” There is a singular force in the exact definition of the
speakers here. They are not simply described as “ the Jews” ( John 18: 31; 19: 7),
nor yet as “The chief priests and the officers” (John 19:6). The official organs of the
theocracy themselves proclaim that they have abandoned the faith by which the
nation had lived. The sentence “We have no king but Caesar” (The foreign emperor)
is the legitimate end of their policy, the formal abdication of the Messianic hope. The
Kingdom of God, in the confession of its rulers, has become the kingdom of the
world. In the place of the Christ, they have found the emperor. They first rejected
Jesus as the Christ, and then, driven by the irony of circumstances, they have rejected
Christ altogether.
B. F. Westcott
Intensity of resistance to the Gospel
• Apostles mocked
2:13
• Detained overnight
4: 3
•Ordered not to preach
4: 18
•Imprisoned
5: 18
•Beaten
5: 40
•Stoned
7: 59
•Scattered abroad
8: 1
Before the Sanhedrin (Grk.“Joint-session”)
•Rulers……………“Chief ones”
•Elders……………“Seniors”
•Scribes…………...“writer”
•Annas…………….The High priest
•Caiaphas…………His son-in-law
•John
•Alexander
•Relatives
“There is no other Name……..”
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name (Grk.“The name”) which is above every name: That at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.
Phil. 2: 9-11
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for
I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself,
the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall
not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue
shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I
righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and
all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the
LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall
glory.
Isaiah 45: 22-25
Peter & John
report to
the
Ecclesia
Acts. 4:23-33
The application of Psalm 2
PSALM 2
“Against the Lord and his
anointed” v2
ACTS 4
“against They holy child Jesus,
whom thou hast anointed” v27
Rulers v2
Kings v2
Rulers v8 chief priests & elders
v23
Herod & Pontius Pilate v27
Heathen v1
Peoples
Set themselves v2
Gentiles v27
People of Israel v27
Gathered themselves v27
Rage v1
Take counsel v2
Put their trust in him v12
Threatenings v29
To do -- thy counsel v28
Boldness
vv 29, 31
Psalm 2 not fulfilled as yet
v5
God will vex them in his sore displeasure
V9
Smashing his enemies like a potter’s vessel
V6
He will set his king on Mount Zion
V8
Christ will be given the uttermost parts of the earth
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels
of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev. 2:26-27
The power of his resurrection
God’s endorsement of his moral perfection Rom.1:4
Positive identification as the promised seed
Acts. 13:34
The assurance that he is coming, and is equipped to
Judge the world in righteousness Acts. 17:31
The guarantee of salvation for all those positively
identified with him.
1.Thess. 4: 14
The first Ecclesial problem
Acts 4:36 to 5:11
“The flock of Joseph”
Dan
Asher
Benjamin
Manasseh
Manasseh
Benjamin
Ephraim
Gad
Simeon
Give ear, O
Shepherd of
Naphtali
Israel, thou that
leadest Joseph
Judah like a flock; thou
that dwellest
between the
Issachar cherubims, shine
forth.
Before Ephraim
and Benjamin
and Manasseh stir
Zebulon up thy strength,
and come and
Reuben
save us.
Psalm 80:1-2
“The love of money is the root
of all evil”
Case histories in Acts of the Apostles………..
Simon the sorcerer
Acts. 8: 18-20
The Philppian masters of demented girl
Acts. 16:16-19
The Ephesian silversmiths
Acts. 19:24-25
The injustice of Felix.
Acts 25:26
The serious crime of Ananias & Sapphira
V3. “To lie to the Holy Spirit”
( Thinking that they could deceive spirit guided Apostles)
V4. “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God”
(Imagining that God could not see what they were doing)
V9. “Ye have agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord”
(Testing the ability of the spirit to detect hypocrisy)
“Against thee, thee only have I
The punishment fits the crime !!
Judgement on Moses for striking the Rock. Num.20:10
The death of Uzzah before the Ark.
11.Sam.6:6-10
The death of the unnamed prophet
1.Kings 13:1-24
The leprosy of Gehazi
11. Kings 5:20-27
Preaching prospers – Persecution intensifies
Acts.5:5:12-42
12-42
Acts.
The Apostolic testimony spreads
Acts. 5: 16
•Apostles defy order to desist from preaching
•Crowds gather in the very precincts of the Temple
•Essential solidarity of Ecclesia undisturbed by events
•Populace honours the Apostles
•Peter grows in stature with the people
•News reaches outer districts, people flock to Jerusalem
•Main roads clogged with the sick brought to be healed
•Every one is healed
The Sadducees
• Founded as a sect in B.C. 260 by one named “Zadok” hence
“Zadokians” ( “Sadducees”) “Righteous ones”
•Small but powerful sect, mainly of the rich class, favoured by
the Maccabees (B.C. 135-75). Through political intrigue they
gained the priesthood Acts. 5:17
•Rational and sceptical, they did no believe in the
supernatural, Acts 23:8, and so opposed national fanaticism,
and religious zeal. This made them unpopular with the
masses, so that they were often constrained because of
popular opinion against them.
•Math.21: 26; 26: 3-5 Acts 4:21; 5:26
The Sadducees
•They opposed the Pharisees, totally rejecting the oral
traditions. They considered all Scripture as sacred, but only
the Pentateuch as authoritative
•They scorned the idea of immortality and future rewards,
teaching that the best in this present life was the reward of
virtue
•Note their opposition to the Pharisees on their stated policy of
political expediency. John 11: 47-50
The Sadducees
•The early opposition to our Lord came mainly from the
Pharisees, but the Priests took a more prominent part in
procuring the Lord’s death
John 19:15
•Their opposition intensifies throughout the book of The
Acts as their foundation doctrine of no resurrection was
powerfully assailed.
Acts. 4: 33
Act 4:33 And with great power gave the
apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Jesus exalted by God to be a...........
......“Prince” ( Grk. “Chief leader”)
Rendered….
• “Prince of Life” Acts.3:15
The leader into eternal life.
• “Captain of our salvation” Heb. 2:10
Leads us to salvation
• “Author …of faith”
Heb.12: 2
Leader in the race of faith.
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and
your soul shall live; and I will make an
everlasting covenant with you, even the sure
mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the
people, a leader and commander to the people
Isa. 54:3-4
“Witness”
Heb. “To Testify”
“Leader”
Heb. “To go in front”
“Commander” Heb. “To issue commands”
Yahweh the saviour of Israel
I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me
there is no saviour.
Isa 43:11
Yet I am the LORD thy God from the
land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no
god but me: for there is no saviour
beside me.
Hosea 13:4
But hath in due times manifested his word through
preaching, which is committed unto me according to the
commandment of God our Saviour;
Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy,
and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
our Saviour.
Titus 1:3-4
Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:10.13
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour
toward man appeared
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Saviour;
Titus 3: 4, 6
The first Ecclesial
welfare problem
Acts 6: 1-7
Gamaliel
( “Reward of Ail”)
• The grandson of Hillel
• Revered teacher of the Law, one of only seven with title of
“Rabban” ( “Our teacher”) Compare “Rabbi” (“My teacher”)
• Also called “The beauty of the Law”
• Paul’s teacher Acts 22:3
• Last of the great teachers, who taught being seated
• He died about 18 years before siege of Jerusalem A.D. 70
• At his death it was said “The glory of the law ceased”
“Seven men of honest report”
• Stephen -
“A Laurel Crown”
• Philip -
“A lover of horses”
• Prochorus
“Before the dance”
• Nicanor
“Victorious”
• Timon
“Valuable”
• Parmenas
“Consistent”
• Nicholas
“Victorious over the people”
“The number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly”
Acts. 6:7
•The day of Pentecost 3000
Acts 2:41
• Increased to 5000
Acts 4:4
• “Multitudes added
Acts 5:14
• Disciples increased greatly
Acts 6:7
Posssibly near 10,000!
Disputing with Stephen
Acts 6:8-15
The synagogue of the Hellenists
Asia
Cilicia
Rome
Alexandria
Cyrene
The Alexandrians
• City on great learning institutions
•Next to Jerusalem & Rome, largest Jewish population
•Given their own quarter by Ptolemy Philadelphus
•Allowed to have their own Governor
•Philo the great teacher lived here at this time
•Apollos educated here Acts. 18:24-25
•Translation of the Septuagint (LXX) done here
Stephen’s Characteristics
•An honest person
v3
•A gracious person v6
•A man of knowledge & wisdom v10
•Had an excellent disposition v10
•His whole demeanor reflected in his face.
v15
Stephen’s defence
Acts 7
Stephen’s defence
Acts 7……………
Divisions
1-8
Abraham -- inheritance by promise not by law
9-16
Joseph – Type of Christ—help from Egypt
17-36 Moses – Raised & educated in Egypt – Rejected
by his brethren – Revelation of God in
desert
37-43 Israel’s consistent failure
44-50 The Temple not the final phase in worship
51-53 Stephen’s condemns his hypocritical accusers
54-60 In rage Stephen is stoned
“Mesopotamia”
“Between the 2 rivers”
Abraham elevated to firstborn
Genesis
11:26-32
Terah 70 yrs old begins family
v26
He dies at Haran aged 205 yrs.
V32
After his death Abraham moves to Canaan
Acts 7:4
Abraham then 75 yrs. Old
12:4
Terah would then have been 130 yrs. old
Though youngest Abraham would have been mentioned
first, as was Shem cp. Genesis 6:10 with 10:21
Abraham’s seed afflicted for 400 years!
Gen.15:13
• Israel in Egypt approximately 215 years
• Exod.12:40 has 430years.
• LXX translation
“In the land of Egypt and in the land of
Canaan”
• Gal.3:16-17 gives 430 yrs. From the promise to the law
• Gen.15:13 refers to affliction “of thy seed” and dates from
the birth of Isaac some 30 years after Abraham’s
entry into the land, hence 400 years.
Jewish emphasis on circumcision
Gal 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair show in the
flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they
should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past
Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by
that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by
hands;
Phi 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in
the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the flesh.
Throughout the earth, our Father, we
revere thee. Led by thy Son, together
we stand true
One faith, one love, Thy Spirit binds us
firmly as sons and daughters blessed
in Thy view.
From many lands we raise our eyes
toward Thee, Our voices joined as one
great family.
Our many lives are woven, fitly
blended as tapestry created by Thy
hand.
Within each thread, Thy glory is
extended, with every colour quality
and strand.
Upon thy loom our differences
become one: a pleasing tribute to
thee and thy Son
From many nations of the earth do
we hail. With many tongues we form
our praise to Thee.
Across the seas from mountain, isle,
and deep vale, Thy sons and
daughters in one love agree.
And as we strengthen one another in
Thee, Thy spirit binds in perfect
harmony.
Throughout the earth, our Father we
revere thee. Led by thy Son together
we stand true
One faith, one love, Thy Spirit binds
us firmly as sons and daughters
blessed in Thy view.
From many lands we raise our eyes
toward Thee, Our voices joined as
one great family.
The Roman Provinces
Paul’s first journey- outward
Antioch
Perga
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Paphos
Antioch
Paul’s first journey- Return
Antioch
Perga
Attalia
Iconium
Lystra
Derbe
Paphos
Antioch
Seleucia
Paul’s second journey
First stage
“Come over
and help us”
Bithynia
Phrygia
Troas
Antioch
Iconium
Tarsus
Lystra
Derbe
Paphos
Antioch
Seleucia
Philippi
Neapolis
Thessalonica
Troas
Berea
Corinth
Athens
Paul’s second journey
Second stage
Paul’s second journey
Third stage
Ephesus
Corinth
Antioch
Cenchrea
Rhodes
Caeserea
Jerusalem
Paul’s third journey
First stage
Ephesus
Antioch
Macedonia
Paul’s third journey
Second stage
Philippi
Ephesus
Corinth
Philippi
Paul’s third journey
Third stage
Troas
Assos
Ephesus
Miletus
Corinth
Patara
Tyre
Ptolemais
Caeserea
Jerusalem
Paul’s Journey to Rome
Rome
Appii Forum
Puteoli
Rhegium
Syracuse
Melita
Myra
Cnidus
Clauda
Salmone
Fair havens
Sidon
Caeserea
St. Paul’s bay
Euroclydon