History of the early church
The Book of
Acts
The Beginning
History of the early church
The book of Acts
Lesson 1
Introduction
The Name:
1. Part 2 of History of Christian Origins
2. Part 2 of History of Christian Beginnings
3. The Acts of All the Apostles
4. The Acts of the Apostles
5. The Acts
6. Acts
The Author:
Luke
Resons:
Sequel to Luke
Uses the first-person plural narrative “we”
About Luke:
He was not one of the 12 Apostles
the physician - Colossians 4:14
Written to:
Theophilus
meaning friend of God
“most excellent Theophilus”
- he may have been a government official
- the name could have meant he was writing to
all Christians.
- it could be that both Luke and Acts were
written to educate someone who was to
defend Paul in Rome.
Purpose:
Luke 1:1 (NKJV)
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order
a narrative of those things which have been
fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the
beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the
word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to
me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write to you an
orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that
you may know the certainty of those things in
which you were instructed.
Important things in Acts
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History of the early church
Continuation of Jesus work
Inspired sermons
Prayers
Work of the Holy Spirit
Conversions
How churches solved problems
How churches were organized
How the Gospel was preached to the
world
Time line of events in Acts
Lesson One
Conversions in Acts:
1. The 3000 On Pentecost (2:1-41)
2. The multitude in the temple (3:1-4:3)
3. The Samaritans (8:4-25)
4. Simon - previously “The Sorcerer” (8:13)
5. The Ethiopian treasurer (8:26-40)
6. Saul of Tarsus (9:1-19; 22:6-16; 26:12-18)
7. Cornelius And His Household (10:1-48; 11:1-18)
8. The Proconsul (13:12)
9. The Gentiles (13:47-48)
10. Lydia and her household (16:13-15)
11. The Philippian Jailer (16:26-33)
12. Conversion of Dionysius, Damaris (Athenians) (17:16-34)
13. The Corinthians (18:1-11)
14. The Twelve Disciples Of John (19:1-10)
Jesus Continued Work:
Promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide the Apostles
(John 16:7,12,13)
Promised to establish the church
(Matt 16:18)
Promised to let Peter open the door to the kingdom
(Matt 16:18-19)
Began to teach and make disciples – gave the great
commission (Matt 28:18-20)
Promised to give the Apostles miraculous powers
(Mark 16:17-18)
Predicted opposition to teaching the truth
(John 15:18-25)
Promised ultimate victory
(John 14:1-3)