History of the early church

The Book of Acts

The Beginning

Lesson 1Lesson 1IntroductionIntroduction

History of the early churchHistory of the early churchThe book of The book of ActsActs

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 LukeUses the first-person plural narrative “we”

About Luke:He was not one of the 12 Apostlesthe 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• 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

Lesson OneLesson One

Time line of events in Acts

Birth

of J

esus

Ascen

sion

of J

esus

and

Pente

cost

Paul im

priso

ned

in

Rome

Destru

ctio

n of

Jeru

sale

m A

D 70

4 BC

AD 30

AD 62

AD 70

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)