“…Jesus opened their mind to understand the scripture” Luke 24:45
Listening to Acts as script(ure) for Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ

John 21
 Jesus the Fisherman
 Peter the Shepherd: Feed the sheep
 John: beloved (friend) of Jesus

Acts 1
 Galilean Fisherman become witnesses
 Peter feeds the sheep
 Theophilus: beloved (friend) of God

Acts 1:1-2
 a first (prior) “word” about (in dedication)
 what Jesus began to do and teach until taken up
 instructing his chosen apostles through Spirit Holy

Gospel according to Luke
 write an orderly narrative, 1:3 (in dedication)
 about things fulfilled among us, 1:1; 24:44
 you are witnesses... I send the promise 24:48f

Acts-Luke: one fourth of New Testament

Unnamed narrator
 Recipient of eyewitness’ tradition, Lk 1
 Traveler: A 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16


Author named Dr. Luke (in second century)
Paul’s co-worker: Phl 24; Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:11

Style and Genre of 2 volume writing
 History… continues story of Israel from Greek Old Testament
 Biography… story of teacher and students

Work Named “Acts of Apostles” (in second century)
 “Acts”: a known title for a kind of literary work
 First work: a “narrative” of Jesus “deeds” and teaching
 Second work: “deeds” of apostles? and teaching?

Who is “you”?

Acts: of the Apostles
 The 12 (and so Judas replacement) 1:22; 13:31
 Peter 2:32; 3:15; 10:39ff; (John… James)
 Stephen 22:20 (Philip)
 Saul/Paul 22:15; 26:16








Advising the 120 in Jerusalem about Judas’ replacement (1:16–17, 20–
22)
Missionary sermon before the Jerusalem crowd at Pentecost (2:14–36,
38–40)
Sermon in the temple after healing the crippled beggar (3:12–26)
Defense before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem about the healed beggar
(4:8–12, 19–20)
Defense (with the apostles) before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (5:29–
32)
Missionary sermon to Cornelius and his household at Caesarea (10:34–
43)
Explaining to the Jerusalem church why he preached to Cornelius
(11:5–17)
Giving advice at the Jerusalem Council (15:7–11)











Missionary sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch (13:16–41)
Missionary sermon to the crowds at Lystra (14:15–17)
Missionary sermon before the Areopagus in Athens (17:22–31)
Pastoral sermon bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus
(20:18–35)
Defense before the crowds near the Temple in Jerusalem (22:1, 3–21)
Defense before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (23:1, 6)
Defense before the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea (24:10–11)
Appeal to Caesar before the Roman governor Festus in Caesarea (25:10–
11)
Defense before King Herod Agrippa II in Caesarea (26:2–23, 25–27, 29)
Reassuring speech on the ship en route to Rome (27:21–26)
Addressing the Jewish leaders in Rome (28:17-20, 25–28)
Where?




Act I:
Act II:
Act III:
Act IV:
Jerusalem 1-7
Samaria, Damascus, Caesarea, Antioch 8-12
Ends of earth 13-19 [Paul, missionary]
Jerusalem and Rome 20-28 [Paul, prisoner]
When?
Festus procurator of Judea, AD 59-60, Acts 24:27

To whom?
 Jews: the Christ was Jesus 20:21
 Greeks: repentance to God, faith in our Lord Jesus
15:14; 20:21

To Jews
 30 years of dialogue, debate, division told
 audience for most apologetic speeches
 Speeches 2:14-36; 3:12-26; 13:16-41; 28:25-28

To Greeks







Speeches 10:34-43; 14:15-17; 17:22-31
Ethiopian court treasurer
Two centurions: Cornelius (10) and Julius (27)
Sergius Paulus 13:4ff
Jailor Philippi 16:25ff
Dionysius, Damaris 17:34
Not turning to Lord
▪ At Lystra 14:8ff
▪ In Athens 17:21
▪ In Ephesus (craftsmen 19:23ff)

Light to Gentiles
 Opening of the Gospel: Simeon’s
 Closing of Acts: 28:23-31

Scripture Fulfilled, Spirit Empowered
 Luke 4:14-30 (Acts 10:38)
 Acts 2:14-42





Joel’s prophecy defines the moment
Spirit’s presence, last days
Exalted Lord pours out Spirit
Repentance, Baptism, Gift of Spirit
Devoted to
 Teaching of apostles
 Sharing
 Breaking of bread
 Prayer

About what? Apostles Teaching





Messiah’s sufferings 3:15 Messiah was Jesus 18:5
God raised up Jesus 1:22; 2:32; 10:41 present with church
Change of mind for forgiveness of sins 5:31; 20:21
Jesus appointed judge of living and dead 10:42
Seeing Just one, Hearing his voice from his mouth 22:14;
26:16
 Gospel of the grace of God 20:24
 Kingdom of God… 28:23







Waiting in prayer 1:14
Habits of prayer 3:1; 10:9
Focus for the apostles 6:4
Stephen’s prayer 7:59f
Focus of the seeking Gentile 10:30 (Cornelius)
Church in prayer 4:24ff; 12:5
Meeting to pray 16:13

Acts: of the Word “receive Word” 2:41
 Prophets 10:42f and Moses 26:22 (and David)
 (Word of God “grows” 6:7; 12:24; 19:20)

Acts: of the Spirit “gift of Spirit” 2:38
 Spirit Holy (given to the obedient) 5:32
 (God confirming Gentiles by giving Spirit 15:8)
 (Lord confirming his word… signs, wonders 14:3)

Isaiah 61 for Jesus/ Joel 2 for church: anointing
 Jesus instructs 1:2; anointed 10:38
 David 1:6; 4:25; Isaiah 28:25

Baptism with Spirit Holy 1:5
 Pentecost 2:4, 33
 Cornelius 10:44f 11:16 (19:2, 6)


Gift of the Spirit 2:38 (8:15f) 9:17; 10:44
Power with Spirit… to be witnesses 1:8 (8:18f)
 Peter 4:8; church 4:31; Jesus, doing/healing 10:38; Saul 13:9

Accompanies wisdom in speech 6:3,10 (11:28); 20:28
 Faith 6:5;7:55 11:24; joy 13:52; encouragement 9:31

Speaks 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2; 20:23; 21:4,11 directs
8:39; 13:4; 15:28; 16:6f; being lied 5:9; resisted 7:51











The travel of other apostles and disciples
The growth of the Word to the East (2:9ff)
The founding of churches (e.g. in Rome)
Numerous signs and wonders (5:12)
The next story of Paul, of Peter
What about this “sect”? Acts 28:22
What is our script?
Why Acts?
To confirm, reassure
To reveal the counsel of God (divine necessity)
To occasion joy and praise