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.