Reading
Acts 1:1-2:47
Truth for Today
In an effort to appeal to people's interest, the church today emphasizes a great amny different programs, methods, and approaches. "Culturally relevant" worship services emphasizing music and drama have become increasingly popular. Secular psychology, management techniques, and advertising strategies have all made significant inroads into the life of the church. Seminars on everything from how to have a good marriage to how to handle money abound. Not all of those things may be harmful. Some, in their place, may even be helpful. But what has too often been sacrificed in the flurry of activities and programs is the priority of preaching. The first event following the empowering of the Holy Spirit was Peter's sermon. It led to three thousand conversions and launched the church at Jerusalem. The book of Acts is largely the record of apostolic preaching. Preaching has always remained central to the church's mission.
Reflecting on the Text
1. In Acts, there is always a close connection between the activity of God's Spirit and the proclamation of the gospel. Time and time again those who experience the baptism or filling of the Spirit begin immediately speaking with others the truth about God and His Son, Jesus Christ. How vocal are you about the things of God? To what do you ascribe this?
(Verses to consider: Acts 1:8; 2:4, 17; 4:8, 31; 6:10; 10:44-46; 13:9; 19:6)
2. These early believers had no building of their own to meet in. What does that tell you about what the "church" really is?
3. Reflect on your prayer habits (and your church's commitment to prayer). What specific, practical step can you take this week to emulate the early church in this area?
4. Ask God to make you faithful to serve, give, and pray so that our church might become all that God wants it to be.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The [Empowering] of the Church - Part 4 - Devo for 08/28/2009
Reading
Acts 1:1-2:47
Going Deeper
This is when the Holy Spirit empowered the church. For more insight about what the church is, read the apostle Paul's description of the church in Ephesians 3:1-12.
Exploring the Meaning
1. What theological insights does Paul's exposition in Ephesians 3 add to Luke's historical narrative of the empowering of the church? What is God's intent in creating the entity we call the church?
2. What was the thrust of Peter's sermon to the gathered crowd at Pentecost?
3. How does Luke describe the atmosphere and activities of the first-century church (2:42-47)?
Acts 1:1-2:47
Going Deeper
This is when the Holy Spirit empowered the church. For more insight about what the church is, read the apostle Paul's description of the church in Ephesians 3:1-12.
Exploring the Meaning
1. What theological insights does Paul's exposition in Ephesians 3 add to Luke's historical narrative of the empowering of the church? What is God's intent in creating the entity we call the church?
2. What was the thrust of Peter's sermon to the gathered crowd at Pentecost?
3. How does Luke describe the atmosphere and activities of the first-century church (2:42-47)?
The [Empowering] of the Church - Part 3 - Devo for 08/27/2009
Reading
Acts 1:1-2:47
Questions
1. Following the ascension of Christ into heaven what did the believers do? What are we told about the identity of this group?
2. Use three adjectives to describe the events that occurred after the Spirit came.
Acts 1:1-2:47
Questions
1. Following the ascension of Christ into heaven what did the believers do? What are we told about the identity of this group?
2. Use three adjectives to describe the events that occurred after the Spirit came.
The [Empowering] of the Church - Part 2 - Devo for 08/26/2009
Reading
Acts 1:1-2:47
Questions
1. What words and phrases does Luke use in his opening paragraph to drive home the truth of Christ's resurrection?
2. What instructions and insights did Jesus give His followers concerning the Holy Spirit?
(Verses to consider: Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 3:16, 20)
Acts 1:1-2:47
Questions
1. What words and phrases does Luke use in his opening paragraph to drive home the truth of Christ's resurrection?
2. What instructions and insights did Jesus give His followers concerning the Holy Spirit?
(Verses to consider: Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 3:16, 20)
The [Empowering] of the Church - Part 1 - Devo for 08/25/2009
Reading
Acts 1:1-2:47
Drawing Near
How would you rate the reputation of Christ's church in the world today? Why?
The Context
Luke's book of Acts picks up where his Gospel left off, providing details of the early years of the church that Jesus had promised to build. Together, the two books, Luke and Acts, form a comprehensive and seamless account of how the followers of Jesus "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) by taking the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to "uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
The opening chapters of Acts portray the apostles and other disciples gathered together in Jerusalem just before the feast of Pentecost. Following Christ's ascension into heaven and a season of prayer, the time comes for the fulfillment of the promise of the indwelling Spirit (see John 14:16-17, 26; 16:5-15). This marvelous, miraculous outpouring of God provides the supernatural power for believers to take the life-changing message of the gospel to all nations. Acts 2 concludes with a snapshot of church life in the first century.
Keys to the Text
Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the divine agent who creates, sustains, and preserves spiritual life in those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is not merely an influence or an impersonal power emanating from God. He is a person, the third member of the Trinity, equal in every way to God the Father and God the Son. Among the many characterisitcs of personhood that the Hoy Spirit manifests are: He functions with mind, emotion, and will; He loves the saints; He communicates with them, teaches, guides, comforts, and chastises them; He can be grieved, quenched, lied to, tested, resisted, and blasphemed. Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has indwelt all believers, illuminating their understanding and application of God's Word. He fills them, seals them, communes with them, fellowships with them, intercedes for them, comforts them, admonishes them, sanctifies them, and enables them to resist sin and serve God.
Acts 1:1-2:47
Drawing Near
How would you rate the reputation of Christ's church in the world today? Why?
The Context
Luke's book of Acts picks up where his Gospel left off, providing details of the early years of the church that Jesus had promised to build. Together, the two books, Luke and Acts, form a comprehensive and seamless account of how the followers of Jesus "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) by taking the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to "uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
The opening chapters of Acts portray the apostles and other disciples gathered together in Jerusalem just before the feast of Pentecost. Following Christ's ascension into heaven and a season of prayer, the time comes for the fulfillment of the promise of the indwelling Spirit (see John 14:16-17, 26; 16:5-15). This marvelous, miraculous outpouring of God provides the supernatural power for believers to take the life-changing message of the gospel to all nations. Acts 2 concludes with a snapshot of church life in the first century.
Keys to the Text
Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the divine agent who creates, sustains, and preserves spiritual life in those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is not merely an influence or an impersonal power emanating from God. He is a person, the third member of the Trinity, equal in every way to God the Father and God the Son. Among the many characterisitcs of personhood that the Hoy Spirit manifests are: He functions with mind, emotion, and will; He loves the saints; He communicates with them, teaches, guides, comforts, and chastises them; He can be grieved, quenched, lied to, tested, resisted, and blasphemed. Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has indwelt all believers, illuminating their understanding and application of God's Word. He fills them, seals them, communes with them, fellowships with them, intercedes for them, comforts them, admonishes them, sanctifies them, and enables them to resist sin and serve God.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Introduction to Acts
As the second book Luke addressed to Theophilus (see Luke 1:3), Acts may originally have had no title. The Greek manuscripts title the book "Acts," and many add "of the Apostles." The Greek word translated "Acts" (praxeis) was often used to decribe the achievements of great people. Acts does feature the notable figures in the early years of the church, especially Peter (chapters 1-12) and Paul (chapters 13-28). 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 human being. The Spirit directed, controlled, and empowered the church and caused it to grow in numbers, spiritual power, and influence.
AUTHOR AND DATE
Since Luke's 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 Luke's authorship, and so does the Muratorian Canon (ca. AD 170). Because he is a relatively obscure figure, mentioned only three times in the New Testament (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon v. 24), it is unlikely that anyone would have forged a work to make it appear to be Luke's. A forger surely would have attributed the work to a more prominent person.
Luke was Paul's close friend, travelling companion, and personal physician (Colossians 4:14). He was a careful researcher (Luke 1:1-4) 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 (15:23-29; 23:26-30), and he also, no doubt, interviewed key figures, such as Peter, John, and others in the Jerusalem church. Paul's 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, Luke's frequent use of the first-person plural pronouns "we" and "us" (16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 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 (AD 70; his death was probably in the mid-eighties). It is more likely, however, that he wrote much earlier, before the end of Paul's first Roman imprisonment (ca. AD 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 Paul's ministry, would have stated the outcome of that trial and described Paul's subsequent ministry, second imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:11), and death, if those events had happened before he wrote Acts. Luke's silence about such notable events as the martyrdom of James, head of the Jerusalem church (AD 62, according to the Jewish historian Josephus), the persecution under Nero (AD 64), and the fall of Jerusalem (AD 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 declaration of those things" (Luke 1:1) that Jesus had accomplished during His earthly ministry. Accordingly, Luke wrote in his Gospel "unto thee in order" (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 [empowering] of the church on the Day of Pentecost, to Paul's preaching at Rome, Acts chronicles the spread of the gospel (the good news of Jesus) and the growth of the church. It also records the mounting opposition to the gospel.
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. Luke's address of him as "most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3) suggests that he was a Roman official of some importance (24:3; 26:25).
Historical and Theological Themes
Acts records the initial response to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It provides information on the first three decades of the church's existence - material found nowhere else in the New Testament. Though not primarily a doctrinal work, Acts nonetheless emphasizes that Jesus of Nazareth was Israel's long-awaited Messiah, shows that the gospel is offered to all people (not merely the Jews), and stresses the work of the Holy Spirit (mentioned more than fifty times). Acts also makes frequent use of the Old Testament: for example, 2:17-21 (Joel 2:28-32); 2:25-28 (Psalm 16:8-11); 2:35 (Psalm 110:1); 4:11 (Psalm 118:22); 4:25-26 (Psalm 2:1-2); 7:49-50 (Isaiah 66:1-2); 8:32-33 (Isaiah 53:7-8); 28:26-27 (Isaiah 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 God's witness nation to the church (composed of both Jews and Gentiles) as God's witness people. The book of Hebrews sets forth the theology of the transition from the old covenant to the new; Acts depicts the new covenant's practical outworking in the life of the church.
AUTHOR AND DATE
Since Luke's 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 Luke's authorship, and so does the Muratorian Canon (ca. AD 170). Because he is a relatively obscure figure, mentioned only three times in the New Testament (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon v. 24), it is unlikely that anyone would have forged a work to make it appear to be Luke's. A forger surely would have attributed the work to a more prominent person.
Luke was Paul's close friend, travelling companion, and personal physician (Colossians 4:14). He was a careful researcher (Luke 1:1-4) 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 (15:23-29; 23:26-30), and he also, no doubt, interviewed key figures, such as Peter, John, and others in the Jerusalem church. Paul's 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, Luke's frequent use of the first-person plural pronouns "we" and "us" (16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 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 (AD 70; his death was probably in the mid-eighties). It is more likely, however, that he wrote much earlier, before the end of Paul's first Roman imprisonment (ca. AD 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 Paul's ministry, would have stated the outcome of that trial and described Paul's subsequent ministry, second imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:11), and death, if those events had happened before he wrote Acts. Luke's silence about such notable events as the martyrdom of James, head of the Jerusalem church (AD 62, according to the Jewish historian Josephus), the persecution under Nero (AD 64), and the fall of Jerusalem (AD 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 declaration of those things" (Luke 1:1) that Jesus had accomplished during His earthly ministry. Accordingly, Luke wrote in his Gospel "unto thee in order" (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 [empowering] of the church on the Day of Pentecost, to Paul's preaching at Rome, Acts chronicles the spread of the gospel (the good news of Jesus) and the growth of the church. It also records the mounting opposition to the gospel.
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. Luke's address of him as "most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3) suggests that he was a Roman official of some importance (24:3; 26:25).
Historical and Theological Themes
Acts records the initial response to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It provides information on the first three decades of the church's existence - material found nowhere else in the New Testament. Though not primarily a doctrinal work, Acts nonetheless emphasizes that Jesus of Nazareth was Israel's long-awaited Messiah, shows that the gospel is offered to all people (not merely the Jews), and stresses the work of the Holy Spirit (mentioned more than fifty times). Acts also makes frequent use of the Old Testament: for example, 2:17-21 (Joel 2:28-32); 2:25-28 (Psalm 16:8-11); 2:35 (Psalm 110:1); 4:11 (Psalm 118:22); 4:25-26 (Psalm 2:1-2); 7:49-50 (Isaiah 66:1-2); 8:32-33 (Isaiah 53:7-8); 28:26-27 (Isaiah 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 God's witness nation to the church (composed of both Jews and Gentiles) as God's witness people. The book of Hebrews sets forth the theology of the transition from the old covenant to the new; Acts depicts the new covenant's practical outworking in the life of the church.
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