Download - Jesus: Life and Legacy 3
Jesus’ Life and Legacy3. The Book of Acts
Lesson Outline
1. The Facts about Acts
2. The Form of Acts
3. The Features of Acts
The Facts about Acts
Introduction
The Book of Acts
Acts is the second half of Luke's two-part work. Luke is the story of founder of Christianity, and Acts the story of the founding of Christianity.
Acts 1:1
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach …
The Facts about Acts
Author
Date
Reader
Portrait
Purpose
Luke the doctor
AD 61
Theophilus
Head of church
Four-fold objective
Purposes of Acts
1. Historical As a master historian, Luke set out to write an orderly and authoritative account of the early church.
Purposes of Acts
1. Historical
2. Apologetic
Luke wants to calm Roman persecution by showing Chris-tians as law-biding citizens.
Purposes of Acts
1. Historical
2. Apologetic
3. Theological
Luke uses history to teach doctrine about Christ, the church and the Spirit.
Purposes of Acts
1. Historical
2. Apologetic
3. Theological
4. Missionary
Jesus carries out his mission to redeem the world by the Holy Spirit working thru the church.
The Form of Acts
The Form of Acts
PeterPeter PaulPaul1:1 13:1 28:31
Acts can be divided according to its two main characters.
The Form of Acts
Jerusalem Ends of EarthJudea & Samaria
1:1 7:1 10:1 28:31
Acts can be divided on the basis of its three mission fields.
The Form of Acts
The best way to divide Acts is on the basis of five summaries Luke includes:
Sum
. 6:7
Sum
. 9:3
1
Sum
. 12:
24
Sum
. 16:
5
Sum
. 19:
20
The Form of ActsJe
ws onl
y
Sam
arita
ns
Rom
e!
Nation
s
Gentiles
God-fe
arer
s
Sum
. 6:7
Sum
. 9:3
1
Sum
. 12:
24
Sum
. 16:
5
Sum
. 19:
20
The Features of Acts
The Features of Acts
1. The power of the Holy Spirit
The Features of Acts
1. The power of the Holy Spirit
2. The persecution of the church
The Features of Acts
1. The power of the Holy Spirit
2. The persecution of the church
3. The prayers of the saints
The Features of Acts
1. The power of the Holy Spirit
2. The persecution of the church
3. The prayers of the saints
4. The preaching of the gospel
Conclusion
Summary
1. The book of Acts continues from the gospel of Luke.
2. Acts has four purposes: historical, apologetic, theological, and missionary.
3. Acts can be organised by its main characters, its mission fields, or its summary statements.
4. Acts emphasises the power of the Spirit, as well as persecution, prayer, and preaching.